Heist on Utapau

[CaptainWolfgang]

HEIST ON UTAPAU

6:37 PM -- Pau'an Spaceport Hotel E:020 --- Planet: Utapau --- Pau City: Wealth Level
Laws of Gods, Captain Kalo Forbid. Seek Out Where His Treasure's Hid
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=OOC: The Roleplay will remain [OPEN] until the heist's plan is completed, at which point I will close it.=
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"Let me know if you need anything else, Captain Wolftenn. We are delighted to have you here on our humble world." Reyon Chardon said as he left. The lanky Pau'an had guided Wolftenn to his room and would direct those who had gotten Kalo's message to the same place. Barely a week ago, Kalo had managed to work his way onto a ship smuggling weapons, seized by the Rebellion. Barely escaping with his life, he had traveled into Utapau after his run-in with the Hutts. They weren't happy with his work-- more so after they discovered he was a recently freed slave, not a proper Captain like he had pretended to be in order to book passage off Nar Shaddaa.

Still, diplomacy was Kalo's strong point. He had managed to convince the Hutts that he was useful. Varactyls were far too small for a Hutt to use as transport, but Hutts were notorious for loving pets of all shapes and sizes. Varactyls were also something of a rarity in the galaxy: native and raised on Utapau, only smaller ones existed in the wilds of planets like Kashyyk and Taris. After doing some research, Wolftenn was confident that a cluster of these eggs would be worth their weight in gold.

It was problematic however. Utapau was a dodgy terrain to get around. The surface was wind-blasted and arid, but bumpy and rocky. Speeders and ships had to battle winds, so the best way to travel was between the crevices that ran from sinkhole to sinkhole. Varactyls made terrific mounts, and the inhabitants of Utapau were hesitant to part with them. Obtaining three eggs would square away Kalo Wolftenn's debt. Obtaining any more than that might be a good way to earn enough credits to purchase his own ship. Taking too many could be dangerous however. Trade of these creatures would become regulated, and anyone looking to offload a batch of 20 would be reported to authorities immediately.


Kalo ran his hand through his blonde hair and down to his lightly bearded chin as he began to plan things. In preparation for this heist, he released a coded message he had learned from a pirate he served in his time as an escort. Who knew if the channel was still monitored after all these years, but if it was any listener was guaranteed a plentiful bounty of credits should they arrive at this location on this precise day.




Arranged on the table in the center of the Hotel Room were various bits of reference material to help plan the heist:

Spoiler: Utapau Overview

Region: Outer Rim
Sector: Tarabba Sector
Suns: 1
Moons: 9
Rotation Period: 27 Hours
Atmosphere: Type 1 (Breathable)
Climate: Temperate, windy and arid
Gravity: Standard
Surface Water: Less than 0.9%
Terrain: Scrublands, Savanna, Canyons, Sinkholes, Desert Surface, Grottoes, Underground Oceans

Spoiler: Utapau Layout

Pau City was divided into four main sectors; the Civic Level, located nearest to the surface, was where the city's bureaucracy and government officials resided and worked. The city's major civic, ceremonial and recreational buildings were located here.

The Wealth Level operated below, serving as the city's hub for industry and trade. It also served as the main spaceport, and was littered with landing platforms and docks.

The Produce Level was where the city's functional facilities, services and heavy industrial structures were located. This level produced the city's food supplies, and dactillions and varactyl were trained here to transport residents around the city.

Finally, the Mining Level comprised the lower region of the sinkhole, given up to waste disposal and mining.

Below the mining level is access to the underground ocean, which links up to other cities on Utapau through an extensive network

Spoiler: Utapau Inhabitants

The Pau'ans are tall and govern Utapau. They live for around 700 years each, and make up 30% of the population.

The Utai make up 70% of the population, but have short lifespans and live peacefully alongside the Pau'ans, opting to work most of the labor jobs.

Most inhabitants of Utapau speak Uttese and Galactic Basic

Varactyls are lizardlike creatures, prized as transport over inhospitable terrain

Dactillions are a reptavian species that are also used as mounts on Utapau, and are strong fliers. They often eat Varactyl eggs.

Spoiler: Resources at Hand

Ahead of time, Kalo Wolftenn has sourced some rental companies. It is possible to obtain:
* 1 Shuttle to the Orbital Fleet (50 Credit usage fee)
* Dactillions (1500 Credits)
* Varactyls (2000 Credits)
* Underwater transport vessel (500 Credits per day)
* Mining Equipment (100 Credits per day)

However, Kalo only has a budget of 3000 Credits to work with, and would prefer to not spend all of his money. This gear is optional and in addition to whatever you decide to bring that may help.

 

[Venk]

"Vandis, are you sure you must go? We've never been to this planet, and I-"
"Yes, Aiden, I'm sure. I need money, and this seems like a great opportunity to do so."
"Master Vandis, that message was garbled and we barely got anything else than a coordinate and this hotel! Barely enough to place our trust and future in!"
"Aiden, go watch the ship. Make sure the locals don't tamper with it or something. We're already here, and i doubt you'll want to be a part of planning."
Aiden raised his hands to say something, but instead turned around and walked off back towards the ship.

'It's been a while since I won an argument with him', Vandis thinks to himself. Waking through the doors of the hotel, he finds a chair to sit down in and consider what's happening one last time.

Vandis had been moving medical supplies from Christophsis when he picked up the message on his communicator. Some unknown channel that he was about to flip through when he heard coordinates and a hotel, along with the potential to make some money. What Aiden heard was "The potential for you to walk straight into a trap and get killed! Honestly, Vandis, why would you trust a random message on-", but Vandis didn't care. He took risks for credits and took credits for risks. So, as his deadline for the supplies wasn't going to arrive for a couple days, he decided he would take a risk for credits.

"Hello, I got a message and was to-" Vandis started, but it seemed the attendant already knew what he needed.
"Yes, sir, I know what you are here for. Right this way", he said, smiling as he guided Vandis to the room. Vandis had no idea what waited for him, but felt that it was the least he could do to take off his helmet and meet this person face-to-face. The attendant knocked on the door and slipped away back downstairs, leaving Vandis waiting outside the room.

 

[CaptainWolfgang]

Vandis entered as Kalo was going back over the assets on the table. He looked up, and a devilish grin of approval crossed his face.

"Welcome to Pau City. Interested in a heist?" he said, walking clockwise around the table toward Vandis, holding out his hand. "Mission goal and all the resources are right there on the table. Do this right and you'll walk away rich. Do this wrong and we've never met each other. How does that sound?"

 

[Venk]

Vandis entered as Kalo was going back over the assets on the table. He looked up, and a devilish grin of approval crossed his face.

"Welcome to Pau City. Interested in a heist?" he said, walking clockwise around the table toward Vandis, holding out his hand. "Mission goal and all the resources are right there on the table. Do this right and you'll walk away rich. Do this wrong and we've never met each other. How does that sound?"

"Doesn't sound like anything I haven't heard before", Vandis said, smirking. 'A heist for...Varactyl eggs? Eh, as long as there's profit.'
Vandis walks over to a chair and sits down, holding the resources at hand list in one hand and the city layout in another.
"So, what's the plan? Or is that why we're sitting here and not out there?"

 

[CaptainWolfgang]

"Trust me mate, these things will fetch quite a fee in the rest of the galaxy. They're pretty well safeguarded here." Kalo explained. "And I didn't want to commit to any one plan before a crew turned up. I'd hate to spend all of my credits and then find out that you can turn invisible. Though we might as well begin planning. I for one was thinking that our best shot at escape is through the underground ocean. It's dark, unpopulated, and there's less danger from being caught during our exit. Although, it does mean we'll take more time getting to another city-- time being a valuable resource. If we're caught in the middle of the heist, they could lock down whatever city we head to before we even set foot there.."

Kalo shuffled some maps around and raised an eyebrow. "What do you bring to the table? Anything I should know?"

 

[Venk]

"What do I bring to the table? Well, I'm a great shot- at a distance. I also know some basic first aid and I can disappear when I need to. I've been smuggling and hiding goods for a while...I can be stealthy when I need to be. I'm also Corellian- piloting is in my blood. That's sums up all of my relevant skills. Anything you can do that I should be aware of?"
As Vandis says this, he tosses the folders back onto the table and looks at Kalo with moderate interest.

 

[JessieTaylor]

Aerena was flying through the Tarabba sector, when she heard a coded message on her ship's transceiver. She listened carefully, her interest heightening every second. She smiled to herself. This could be interesting, she could certainly use some credits. She altered her course for Utapau, and shortly arrived on the planet. She made her way into the hotel and entering the building, she went up to an attendant.

"Hi." She began abruptly. "I heard this message on my ship's radio. It directed me to this hotel... you know which room I need to go to?"

The attendant smiled. "Yes, I do. Come, follow me.

Aerena followed the attendant to the door of the room. He left, and she paused for a moment outside the door. What was on the other side, she had no idea. She knew better than to enter unprepared, however. She checked her blaster and replaced it in her holster before entering the room.

 

[Venk]

Vandis turns his gaze towards Aerena as she enters the door. His expression goes from surprise to confusion.
"Uh...hello. Are you, ehm, lost, by any chance?"
As Vandis asks this, he quickly closes all the folders on the table.

 

[CaptainWolfgang]

Kalo waved Aerena into the room quietly and motioned for her to join them at the table.

"That's encouraging. All of those skills are exactly what we need to get off this rock in one piece." he said to Vandis. "As for me, just know that I'm an accomplished diplomat and a pretty decent shot with a blaster when I need to be. I prefer to stay out of sight however. The best way to do this heist is the way where none of us get caught."

He was resting his weight over the table and looked up at Aerena, raising an eyebrow. She was young, true, but in his experience youth wasn't nessesarily a sign that they weren't experienced.

"I'm Kalo, this is my new long-range rooty-tooty point and shooty Corellian friend, Vandis. Feel free to introduce yourself. I presume you're here for the heist. If not, then I've just been extremely loose with my lips and that's not good for any of us."

 

[JessieTaylor]

Aerena smiled, slightly amused by the man's confused expression. If she hadn't been, she might have been annoyed.
"No, I think I found the right room." She told him.
The other man waved her over, and she walked over to the table. She stood across from Kalo as she listened while he introduced himself and Vandis.
"Yeah, I guess I'm here for the heist." She replied. "And I'm Aerena. Looks like you're picking up a Corellian crew, Captain."
Her eyes roved over the folders on the table, and she picked one up and glanced at the contents before looking expectantly at Kalo.
"Well, first things first. What are we heisting?"

 

[CaptainWolfgang]

"Varactyl eggs. Each one sells for a hefty price on the black market, but they're protected as a species. If we want a slice of that cake, we have to find a way to get them without getting caught." he said. "Feel free to look over all the information, then let me know if it's giving you any ideas."

He took a step back and stretched. Kalo had been cooped up in that room for awhile. He had a hard time holding in his smile when Aerena suggested he had a crew.

A crew. Yeah, that'd be nice. My own band of rogues, to travel with. I could settle for a crew. Maybe I should start handing out invitations. His thoughts were only half serious. While Aerena and Vandis showed considerable resourcefulness finding this channel, and the drive to follow the treasure, he wasn't sure if they were particularly inspired by him.

But being a Captain? Aye, that sounded nice.

 

[Venk]

After Vandis realized Aerena was meant to be here, he shrugged and turned back to Kalo.
"Do we know where exactly they're being kept? Any specific rooms or anyone in specific guarding them?"

 

[JessieTaylor]

As Aerena picked up another folder, Vandis asked the first question that had come to her own mind. Where were these eggs in the first place? She browsed through the folder's contents as she waited for Kalo to reply.

 

[CaptainWolfgang]

Kalo took a step back from the table. He looked at Aerena, then back to Vandis as if he were about to give bad news.

"Unfortunately, most of the lower levels of Pau City were off limits to me, so I can only go on hearsay. They say that the Varactyl Eggs are probably held behind the Varactyl training pens. These pens will be behind all the farmland. The biggest security threats we'll face are machinery, but there will be a few Utai guards watching the doorways here and there. What's more, most of the farmers may turn a blind eye, but any Pau'ans will notice us immediately. It'll be necessary to incapacitate them or otherwise distract them. Remember: If we draw attention going in, then the escape will be much more difficult. The eggs will likely be stored in an incubation device. We'll need to break into it without triggering alarms, which might require stealing a password from one of the computers, or tricking one of the workers into divulging it.

"Lastly, it should be known that the eggs are about a foot and a half tall. You can carry one under each arm, with an additional one or two in backpacks I have. The more you carry, the less you can defend yourself if we get spotted unless you're willing to put a few down. They're pretty heavy too, so they might slow you down. I intend on grabbing two, because each of them should sell for about 4000 credits."

 

[Venk]

Vandis stands up and grabs his rifle.
"I'm more effective...long range, I guess you could say. While I am fairly sneaky I'm not sure how much I want to be carrying these things, slowing me down and making me unable to defend myself. What I can do is provide getaway, or cover you from a distance."

 

[JessieTaylor]

Aerena raised her eyebrows. Wow. Two feet? Those are some pretty big eggs. But they do bring a good price at that. She leaned back and closed her eyes, trying to think of a plan, and trying to think how they could carry more than a few back with them. She opened her eyes again when Vandis spoke. "You really think that's a good idea? I mean, we can carry so little from the get go, then losing one carrier... That's a lot of money. Maybe you could just put one or two in a backpack, and keep your hands free?...Anyways, I'd definitely say do it at night. There is way less chance of being caught... And maybe we can rent a speeder bike or two or something? We could carry more eggs with them. We could push them until we are far enough away that the noise wouldn't matter." she said, throwing out the thoughts that came into her head. "I don't know what to do about the password. I don't know how we would get the password from a worker -if either of you can think of a way, let's go with that.-, and if we failed, we would only get them suspicious. It'd probably be best to get it from a computer. But then where would this computer be? And what if we can't get the passwords from it? Or- Why don't we get one of the workers to open the incubators for us?" she asked abruptly, an idea starting to form in her mind. It might just work. She wasn't familiar with the area, so she wasn't sure, but it sounded like a good plan to her.

 

[Venk]

After Aerena responded to him, Vandis replied "Credits are all well and good, but I'm certainly not the best for that kinda thing. Besides, I'm not gonna risk getting caught for eggs."
Afterwards, he listened to her idea.
"We could find out who has the code and eliminate them, or one of us could steal it from him, or yes, we could get one of them to open it for us. That might require credits though, and I don't know how foolish these people are."

 

[CaptainWolfgang]

Kalo gestured to Vandis. "If you can promise me good cover, I might be able to wheel some out on a hover-cart. I wouldn't risk two carts though... we'd be too big and too slow of targets. But I need to be certain that I can count on your gunplay."

By now he'd memorized all of the information he'd left on the table. Kalo glanced back up at Aerena and looked her over. She was young, but she sounded clever. "Aerena's on to something. We don't have to open them ourselves. Ideally, one of us could convince the Utai to open an incubator for us. Then it's just a matter of making him think it's closed before he leaves the room. We wouldn't even need to bribe him, maybe just convince him to show us how the incubator worked. Aerena would be perfect for this." he said, raising an eyebrow at her. "No offense, but you don't raise much suspicion."


"And I should ask... Do either of you have a ship? We'll need a way off Utapau in a hurry whether we're spotted or not."

 

[JessieTaylor]

Aerena nodded at Vandis. She listened to Kalo and smiled. "No offense taken, I was just thinking the same thing. Although I do think we should knock the guy out. He might cause complications. For one, he might insist on escorting me out of there, and if I can convince him to leave me alone in there, he might come back. And you guys- or at least one of you- will need to be waiting to help me get more eggs. He might see you when he leaves the room. So I should knock him out when I follow him out of the room." She paused for a moment. "I do have a ship," she said hesitatingly, "But I'm not so sure that we should use the hyperdrive. It could be okay, but um. Last time I used it, something malfunctioned, and it wasn't good. I wouldn't want to risk it happening again."

 

[Venk]

"I can definitely cover a hovercart. I've been training for years with my rifle, and it wasn't all for nothing. We'll have comms open between us too, in case I see something you should be wary of or if you have noticed enemies before I have."
Vandis leans against the wall, listening to Kalo speak.
"I have a ship, and I can have it waiting even while I'm covering you. Look for a bright blue YT-1250. It's mine."
Vandis then turns to Aerena after she finishes talking.
"What happened to your hyperdrive?"