Log:Artisans Guild: The Dubious Tarisian Estate
Artisans Guild: The Dubious Tarisian Estate
OOC Date: Septemer 10, 2022
Location: Taris
Participants: Aryn Cortess, Dyna Selenis, Tan Rackus, Ejnar Celchu, Saturi, Noemie Lenoir
Noemie Lenoir (NL)
High above Taris' Upper City, a modern shuttlecraft arrives at a private landing, carrying with it a congregation of six, hired by the estate to appraise the recently deceased's collection of rare artifacts. The Artisans Guild was summoned primarily, though for advisement they also invited a delegation from Alderaan, as this collector was rumored to specialize in Alderaanian archaelogy in particular - as well as a good friend invited by Noemie Lenoir. As the shuttle lands, the small group are greeted by a plum-colored protocol droid, which dips its head in the imitation of a bow. "Greetings!" It begins. "I've been programmed to escort you to the display room on the second floor. My master apologizes for his recent death and is sorry he could not be here to tend to you himself. Right this way!"
Following the droid inside the expansive, two-floor estate, consisting of floors 80 and 81 of this particular tower, the group will pass by a deactivated droideka, in its upright position facing the doorway to the landing field. It looks almost like a statue in that posture, and is likely a part of the homeowner's former collection. A wide set of stairs leads upward, large enough that three Wookiees could comfortably ascend the stairs side-by-side.
Once upstairs, the group are led to the southern area of the floor where a sliding door glides quickly upward to reveal the display room. Paintings, statues, and various collection pieces are displayed all around this room - some with obvious origin and some without. A famed Corellian painting from a thousand years ago is hung on one wall, while a collection of ancient Alderaan pottery adorns another tabletop. The droid stands near the door, extending both arms while saying, "this is the former master's display room. The estate asks that you appraise his collection for sale - we require proper validation so we will know its worth." With this, the droid stands motionless.
Tall, narrow windows line the far wall, offering a view of the Tarisian skyscape beyond. Light fixtures hang from the high ceiling. A camera is placed in one far corner but there's no other visible security to speak of. In the center of the chamber is the Alderaanian collection, from which jewelry, pottery and art pieces can be found.
Tan Rackus (Tan)
Tan Rackus dressed a little less scruffily than normal, clad in clean overalls for once, for the purpose of lugging, carrying, shifting and any necessary boxing. Having spent her time in the Republic Military, and then settled down on the toxic ecumenopolis of Nar Shaddaa, fancy Alderaanian frippery and finery, was never some thing the Twi'lek fathomed. Or thought of. Until now. Tucking her hands into her pockets, she almost feels as if there's a chance she could blunder into various items of great worth, and break a good many more. It all seems so fancy. So rich. So elegant! And to Tan, every single item looks totally expensive. Nodding but once to the droid and its announcement regarding the death of it's master, Tan offers up a simple. "My condolences." As if the droid could well feel such loss. A glance to each and all, and Tan finally offers the faintest of grins. Yeah, she's definately here to carry stuff.
Dyna Selenis (Dyna)
It had been Dyna's first time visiting Taris, though the city planet bore an obvious resemblance to Coruscant. And perhaps, to a lesser degree, Nar Shaddaa. Disembarking the shuttle, Dyna follows along behind the droid alongside the others who came to appraise the artifacts, eying the inactive droideka warily as they pass by it. When they arrive at the display room she takes a moment to take in the sight of all the artifacts on display. "Quite the expansive display," she muses, giving a nod in understanding as the droid outlines the request. She makes her way over to the Alderaanian collection and looks over the jewelry, tilting her head a bit and narrowing her eyes for a moment before giving a small shrug as she finds herself unable to come to a firm conclusion at a cursory glance.
Aryn Cortess (AC)
Aryn of the Alderaanian Great House Cortess, descends the ramp of the vessel at a slow, deliberate pace; it's clear the blonde is in no hurry to be rushed along and has lived a life that is always at her convenience, the true mark of nobility! Dressed in white, green, and golden hue, the caped Princess arrives in time to hear the droids greeting. Aryn shakes her head, her bearing remaining in place despite the humor in the droids needless apology. Thus begins their journey inside the estate, one which Aryn watches cautiously as they pass a droideka, among other relics of a by-gone era.
Upon arriving at the main display room, Aryn pulls back her hood and begins to walk around the Alderaanian artifacts that were marked accordingly. Her silent appraisal is made with a nod, and it isn't clear that she's interested in any of it until she arrives at a necklace that stops her in her tracks.
"Mother above," Aryn remarks, stepping closer with wide eyes. "I thought this necklace a myth of the past, yet.. all the markings on its surface seem true.. I daresay this relic is more than four thousand years old."
Taking in a short breath, Aryn finds her center again and names the relic. "It is the Chalcedony Star, rumored to have belonged to House Organa before it was taken by House Ulgo as a trophy. To possess this heirloom during that time was to be granted immense political power, it was the proof of station for the Duchy before the fall of the Panteer dynasty."
Ejnar Celchu (Ejnar)
Lord-Lieutenant Ejnar Celchu of Alderaan was a man in his mid-thirties with a wealth of military experience, an entire career in fact in the New Republic... and the resistance. Now he returned home, a new home, in order to serve his people in a closer more appropriate way. It was likely he'd been to Tar before but not often. There were still new sights and things to see, so in some ways it was exciting to travel here. He had come, flying escort in his House's Eta-Shuttle, X-17 in tow. He did his best to keep up with the Princess' cadre, still limping a bit from a run in with beastmaster and its beast from Onderon. He wore his uniform, which really was extravagant and well tailored, using only the finest threads and metals Alderaan could offer. As they enter and inspect the pottery and other trinkets rumored to be of Old Alderaan, Lord Celchu leans in and squints, pouting his lips a bit. Then turning to Aryn, "Well it looks real at least." That was the best he could add at the moment. Aryn was the expert in this, he was here in-case Lana Panteer decided to launch some horrid attack... Not that their Princess Jedi needed his help. Still, you know how retainers are. Very over protective!
Saturi (Uri)
Despite being interested in what the rest of the estate has to offer, it doesn't take long for Saturi to break out her wallet-sized case of tools. She quickly slips on pair of accompanying white fabric gloves with synthetic fingertips. Rather than waiting for permission, she steps forward to the center of the room. Golden eyes latch onto the display of jewelry, carefully inspecting the spread of gems and stones. The Pantoran reaches out and wastes no time in examining the lot.
"Is there any particular reason why you're liquidating?" She asks at the droid. "Wouldn't it make more sense for these to remain in the hands of the family...or to be donated?" Palming through the extensive selection isn't going to be a quick process. She stops to glance at Aryn, who is basking in the greatness of the Chalcedony Star.
"Not to be rude..." Her address is given back to the droid. "...but they'll lose their context in the hands of private collectors."
Noemie Lenoir (NL)
As the group looks over the collection, the doors glide open and another droid, similar in design to the plum-colored droid, requests the presence of Noemie to follow it, assuring her that its owner has some business matters to work out in regards to payment. With some mild hesitance, Noemie follows along, her stilettos clicking audibly on the hard flooring. Some moments pass while the others appraise things.
However, when the words 'Chalcedony Star' are uttered, a buzzing sound emits from the camera, and a red light strobes near its lens.
Suddenly! From above and below, the narrow filtration vents do the opposite of what they were supposed to do: dioxis gas quietly pours out from each, small green clouds that float to the ceiling. The beauty in having a high ceiling is that it'd take a few minutes for the gas to encapsule the entire chamber. That's just bad security design. "Oh goodnness," the droid says in its polite tone. Its unlikely that its programming will allow it to say anything without that tone. Blast doors slam shut over the door and windows, quickly followed by a second, thicker pair of blast doors. The lights dim somewhat and a small screen powers to life over the door, where an aged, balding Human male comes on-screen. "So," he says, his voice gruff and rough. The droid stumbles forward, clearly surprised, and turns to look up at the screen itself. "Thieves, cops - no matter. Whoever you are, you've said the magic word. Don't bother trying to get out," the pre-recorded message taunts with a smirk. "My boys will be there within the hour and you'll be stiff and cold by the time they recover you." The figure looks to his side, asking, "Six-Dee, you did stock the dioxis containers, right?" The same droid that's here in the chamber can be heard off-screen responding positively. "Right," the man says, looking back to the camera. "What about the security protocols? In case I trap myself in again." The droid can once again be heard off-screen. "Master, the location of the keycard is safely within my databank. And you will remember the numeric--" The gruff man scowls, reaching forward toward the camera. "You imbecile, you left the recording on!" With that, the screen shuts off.
"Oh bother," the droid intones, looking toward the group, green streams of dioxis streaming upward from a vent near its feet. "I'm afraid that I cannot help without the proper numerical sequence."
Near the blast doors, an access panel is installed within the wall, its screen devoid of words, offering only the symbol of a keycard. As it's within the wall, there are no panels to open for tinkering.
Tan Rackus (Tan)
Tan lifts her gaze as the ominous recording plays out. This is why she often stayed put on Nar Shaddaa. One died a whole lot slower from toxic air on Nar Shaddaa than one did in fancy Alderaanian estates. The gas, so gorgeously green is eyed and for an instant her lekku shift faintly, a stark twitch of sinew and nerve. "Oh... great." It takes a few seconds, but that mention of a card had her instantly move to search the Alderaanian exhibits, especially so the pottery to search within. "I..." Items are turned, eyed, searched, and rummaged. And so far undamaged. "Damnit. Nothing here... though the stuff seems well, a whole lot is Alderaanian? I think? All organised by type... which is kinda neat. Earrings. Necklaces. The usual. All very in order. I suppose that's to be expected. Nice to know we'll die in a tidy room."
Dyna Selenis (Dyna)
Dyna quirks a brow and turns to listen to Aryn describe the artifact in question. "Well. That sounds like quite the find. Donating these artifacts to a more worthwhile cause would make more sense," she notes with a nod in agreement toward Saturi. "That said, I suppose there's whatever instructions were left in the will to consider." And then suddenly that ominous recording comes on while the room starts to fill with gas and is locked down by blast doors. Dyna places the palm of her hand against her forehead. "Seriously? That triggered security? Why was something like that set up and why didn't you disable it beforehand!?" The Hapan woman was shooting the droid an angry glance as she says this before looking around the room frantically, searching for some kind of clue to figure out whatever code it is the stubborn droid would require before it'd help them.
Aryn Cortess (AC)
"I would not be so hasty to wager, but /something/ about this item seems real. How I wish Leia were still here to see it herself. Though, I doubt she would have cared as dearly. The Organas were quite fond of this trinket, though. Imagine the wars fought over the right to wear this; the bloodshed to be the heir of the Chalcedony Star. It seems so surreal that such jealousy can exist over something so.. insignificant. I suppose the irony being that the Organas have been without it for thousands of years, yet in its popularity, they would have murdered any who had notions of taking it for themselves..." Aryn explains to Lord Celchu in a way a history teacher would convey a lesson from the past. Her tone fades away as danger presents itself.
Aryn's first reaction is to brush her cape to one side, revealing the elegant weapon of a Jedi Knight, but she does not touch the curved hilt. Discipline resolves her to remain calm as she listens to the recording and regards the droid as it claims it's of no help without the numeric code.
"Hmmm," Is all Aryn manages, and she walks toward the keypad to look over the numbers there to see if there was any indication of what to press, if anything. The only emblem on the screen indicates the need for a keycard. So she turns back to those calling out what they find. Tan mentioned the organization of the Alderaanian artifacts. "It may be safe to assume that the placement and organization of things are key. Perhaps the number is comprised of the sum of each respective item? How many of each type, for instance?" Aryn locks her hands to the small of her back, hiding them beneath the confines of her cape as she observed the rest of the room.
Ejnar Celchu (Ejnar)
Ejnar turns his head, arms at ease behind his back as Aryn imparts her knowledge onto him. He loved Alderaan, his parents were proud nobles who breathed the air of old Alderaan, played in its fields and meadows. Climbed the sheer mountains. All before it was destroyed. He had never lived it and history was his poorest subject. "Perhaps we can try to buy them all. If They are Alderaanian, they belong with us. Unless?" That's when the Dioxin gas starts to come in and the recording is played. There is what could only be described as a look of disapointment on Ejnar's face. This pressed lips, half lidded eyes. A resignation. It all is confirmed by his next words. "Nope... couldn't have a normal trip, could we." While others search, he is paying attention to the clues in the video. Clearing his throat he makes his way with purpose towards the droid. "Alright Six-D... relax... I'm not going to hurt you..." He manages to remove the dome piece on the droid carefully and examine some of the droid's data-banks. "Your Highness... there's something here but it's really embedded and I'm afraid with my limited expertise I might deactivate this droid and I think we need them on."
Saturi (Uri)
Saturi casts a furrowed glare at the transmission as the gas starts to fill the room. This isn't the first time...or second...that she has been trapped in a room with something trying to kill her. Despite the experience, she appears visibly distressed whilst glancing at the display. "I...I would think that someone as forgetful as they seemed would make it easy to remember the emergency code." Her remark is made with a hasty count of the Alderaan artifacts, just as Aryn suggested.
"There are two sets of earrings." Blue hands motion to the works. "Three bracelets, five necklaces." She continues down the line, making certain to include the Star itself. "A trio of paintings....and one of whatever that is."
Marginally panicked, she continues. "Do earrings count as a pair or individuals?" The Pantoran doesn't seem convinced with using the artifacts as the basis for a code. "The apartment is on the 80th and 81st floor...the droid is named 6-dee...as is sixdty...sixty."
Noemie Lenoir (NL)
"Oh bother," the droid repeats as Ejnar begins to open its head-dome. It stumbles slightly as it tries to hold still, but being a protocol droid it's not in a position to put up much of a fight. Anyway, it seems to be programmed for this..
Within the chamber, the dioxis gas continues to rise, about a third of the room filled now. Another minute or two and it'll start to reach head-level of the taller occupants. Something rattles within the droid's head-dome while Ejnar tinkers with it. "By the maker! If you deactivate me, I will be unable to process the dioxis deactivation code!" Comes the droid's distressed, though polite protest.
As to Noemie, nothing has been heard from her, having been taken away a few minutes before the trap was sprung. Her shoes were loud enough and the marble flooring stiff enough that even behind double blast doors if she were outside, there would have been some kind of signal.
Tan Rackus (Tan)
Tan looks perplexed. She can figure out engines and whatever ails them. But fancy puzzles with fancy death traps and fancy logic? Oh this is just infuriating for the Twi'lek. If she wasn't shooting mites out of engines, she was re-routing power and other easy techniques that just seemed natural. This is just... mind boggling! However it is with a certain amount of pride that she watches the more... civilised folks cut to the chase and curtail the effects of the deadly trap.
Dyna Selenis (Dyna)
"Turning off that gas would be nice," Dyna notes bitterly, narrowing her eyes at the droid for a moment and folding her arms. With Ejnar seemingly confirming the droid had the keycard itself there was a temptation to extract that keycard in a less than delicate manner, but knowing they might need it to turn off the gas made that seem like a less desirable outcome. Folding her arms, she looks to the artifacts for a moment, gaze settling on the final item. Her first thought was to count the number of tools and see if that would round out the passcode, though realizing there were too many tools in it upon closer examination she shrugs. "Well, if nothing else, maybe this will prove useful for something."
Aryn Cortess (AC)
"Do be careful, my Lord. I daresay we only have one try at this." Aryn remains by the door, and the panel which displays the symbol for a keycard. When Saturi is diligent to call out the numbers of each, thanks to the observations made by Tan, Aryn nods quietly. "Perhaps the code is: Two, Three, Five, Three, One." Hands still locked at her lower back, she awaits the acceptance of the code, or denial. Relying first on wit before brute strength, a notion she had learned from the late Princess herself.
Ejnar Celchu (Ejnar)
"Yes, I know..." Ejnar answer Six-Dee, "I really wish Five-Tee was here." The little astromech helped to round him out. He had left the little guy back with the Velker. Maybe he should have taken the Shadowbird instead. He waits first for Aryn to give the code to deactivate the gas before continuing his work on the droid. The Alderaanian Lord strains his voice as he reaches inside Six-Dee's brain-pan "Uhhh... Trying my best, Your Highness." His tongue sticking out, teeth biting on it and face wincing as he concentrates hard. He might even be sweating a little bit. Carefully, he moves wires out of the way or outright severs ones he knows won't be fatal to the droid or are needed for their immediate survival. After a few moment, he retrieves a keycard betwixt his two middle fingers. He holds it up to show Aryn and the others. "Got it."
Saturi (Uri)
As the gas starts to roll back from whence it came, Saturi begins to pack up her little case and gloves, holding the small container in her hands. She shakes her head with disgust before announcing, "I avoid working for people that try to kill me." Her eyes flick to where the recording played from. "...even if they're dead." She adds with a tense glare.
"I think I'm ready to leave." With a few steps towards the door, moving towards Aryn at the keypad. "Unless any of you want to toy with old trip wires."
Noemie Lenoir (NL)
The droid, with some relief, processes the code for the gas, and the bright green dioxis gas begins to dissipate as the air scrubbers recall it with startling efficiency. Likewise, as the keycard is swiped, the blast doors glide open Within the main second-floor hall, a few other similarly-sealed chambers could be otherwise accessed under normal circumstances, but for now the only path foward is toward the stairs that lead down to the first floor, and, ultimately, the landing area. If Noemie is somewhere upstairs, there's no obvious visual or audio clues to signify as much.
The stairs are those same wide steps the group ascended before, though now they're blocked off by a laser grid. A series of lasers intersect between the walls at the stairs, with perhaps a foot and a half of space gap between each laser. The homeowner, apparently, could not afford the thinner gaps, but they did spring for the more powerful blue lasers. If anybody were to test them, the lasers are a physical barrier, a beam of energy not entirely unlike a lightsaber, though not nearly as powerful. Touching one would burn, and resist, so that you can't simply pass through them, but nor would it cut you effortlessly like a lightsaber would.
Beyond the stairs, paintings line the walls downward of former homeowners, landscapes of their homeworlds and paintings of some of the fancy ships they once owned, and a large mirror sits in the middle of this artistic display that's ovular in shape, and roughly four feet high by two and a half wide.
Tan Rackus (Tan)
Tan eyes the lasers. They look mildly painful, and so the mechanic and tinkerer of freighters begins to search, hands running across the wall, tracing, feeling, eying the finish and searching for something. "Perhaps there's a power source?" Though it seems that Tan's expression barely changes. "The power needs to be routed the usual ways, buildings are just like ships, only no engines..." A frown. Did she inhale any of that gas? "If I can find... the... spot..." And then she pauses, grinning slightly as she draws forth a tool from a pocket and begins to hack into the wall with it. Gouging chunks of plaster and masonry with every vicious yet careful stab. "I might have something, just here." Stab. Stab. Stab. Stab. The hole grows slowly.
Dyna Selenis (Dyna)
Dyna lets out a sigh of relief when the gas emitters are shut off and the air scrubbers extract the gas from the room. When the keycard Ejnar retrieves is then used to open the door she quickly steps through, not having any desire to stick around at this point. "If he wasn't dead I'd be giving him a piece of my mind," Dyna notes to Saturi. And then she notices the laser grid ahead of them. "This seems just a tad excessive, doesn't it?" Dyna muses, shaking her head. Eying the mirror on the other side, though, a thought occurs to her. "He made sure to have an 'out' of sorts for himself incase he ended up locked in there, what are the odds he placed that mirror there for a similar reason?" Seeing no obvious way to get access to that mirror herself though, she goes back into the display room for a moment and returns with an old hand mirror. She carefully tests it with one of the lasers to confirm the mirror could, indeed, deflect the lasers.
Aryn Cortess (AC)
"Well done, everyone. Now," Aryn says as Saturi arrives near her, "I think we have no choice in the matter. Once more into the breach.." Aryn walks calmly onward, nodding and grinning. It was exhilarating to experience thought out traps like these. Learning to rely on oneself was a confidence booster and personal achievement, and it's what brought them this far! When the lasers in the hall begin to flicker to life, humming idly.
When Dyna mentions a mirror, Aryn's eyes flicker up toward the larger one and nods her head. "A good suggestion, Mistress Dyna. Though the larger one we see is out of reach, I may possess the right skill to retrieve it. I need but a moment to gather my focus.."
Aryn steps forth, pausing just shy of one laser and presenting her gloved hand forward as if searching for a wall that lingered in front of her, unseen. In the moments that followed, Aryn's perception of the room grew beyond human capabilities. The Force began to form a bubble around her, unseen but not absent feeling. It expands the moment her fingers widen, and Aryn's head tips up as her surroundings become more than just objects occupying space, they become an extension of her conscience. In this state, 'one with the Force', Aryn could feel their surroundings with intimate understanding of where each person was; this included objects as well.
Her focus was the mirror, and with a subtle movement of her hand, the mirror responded as if moving of its own volition. It was removed from the wall and brought forward, floating eerily in place. Aryn opens her eyes and searches for the ideal way to use this object, pondering whilst her hand 'held' it motionless in the air. "Hmmm, thoughts?"
Ejnar Celchu (Ejnar)
As Ejnar steps out into the hallways and they come upon the stairs, he stops with the others and puts his hands on his hips. "Well... lasers. Mother always said lasers were the worst." He didn't go on as many secret spy missions as his mother Lady Winter Celchu did, but he had heard and heeded her warnings about the various imperial and corporate security systems through out the galaxy. He looked down at Tan as they went about trying to reach the power source that might be behind a wall. Ejnar was getting used to Jedi doing their Jedi things. Two in his own Squadron, and a third (Not with the Order) with similar powers whom he may be seeing in a more than platonic fashion at this point. So when Aryn does her thing, he doesn't hesitate to step past the Lasers that are left, going slow and being careful. Once on the other side he does a little bit of reconnaissance to make sure there's nothing too dangerous up ahead for the others. Ejnar pauses up ahead still within sight of the others. "Oh... well that's just excellent." He leans over and looks back at the others, "The Droideka moved and it's blocking the path..." All he had was his blade and shockgloves tucked away. Shielded droids... that was doing to be tough.
Saturi (Uri)
Following behind the rest of the group, Saturi is completely unimpressed with the laser grid. She watches with a subtle awe as Aryn lifts the mirror from the wall and floats it down towards the energy barrier. "Is there any chance that you could block all of those?" Her question directed at the Jedi. "I don't mean to be rude, but I would be a little more comfortable with passing through if all of them were covered." She steps forward towards the remaining beams of light, either convinced that she can get through or more curious by the magic-like abilities.
Noemie Lenoir (NL)
With Tan's work along the bottom of the wall, the power outlet has finally been exposed. It would take a few minutes of work by an engineer - or slicer - to deactivate the power grid for this section of the hall. The mirrors seemingly reflect the lasers with no issue, redirecting them back at the walls harmlessly - two with the larger mirror, and one with the hand-mirror.
As Ejnar descends the stairs, however, the droideka can indeed be seen on down on the first floor standing before the door to the landing area where the shuttle -should- still be parked outside. The droideka, however, seems to be just standing there. Menacingly. Behind it, above the blast doors that lead outside, are two sets of numbers. One set on top is a countdown, a timer that's been counting down since the blast doors shut, and is only a few minutes from zero. The numbers below it, however, are a little different. They read: 56, 10, 8, 9, 84, 3 and 58.
Tan Rackus (Tan)
Down the lasers go, a few tinkery plucks of wiring, a twist of a node or two and the laser grid flickers, falters, and then fails. Grinning triumphantly, Tan brushes some of the dust from her overalls, leaving behind a ragged hole in the wall. Moving alongside the others, Tan will warily head on down after the others... not looking too pleased at the droid that looks as deadly as it is inactive at the moment. "I really don't like the look of that thing."
Dyna Selenis (Dyna)
"What skills would those be?" Dyna asks curiously, raising an eyebrow. She watches in disbelief for a moment as Aryn levitates the mirror over to her with the force and raises an eyebrow. "Learned some interesting tricks since last I've seen you," the Hapan woman notes with a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. When Tan manages to bring down the laser grid in its entirety, Dyna steps through, but doesn't get too far when she sees the droidekka that now faced them. Setting her hands on her hips, she looks around a bit and spots the colored numbers on display. "I feel like we've got another puzzle on our hands here and the droidekka might object if we were to mess it up."
Aryn Cortess (AC)
When Saturi comments about how to use the mirror, Aryn considers it a moment until all the lasers lose their zeal, switching off. "It appears we have no use for the mirror after all. Spectacular work," Said to Tan just before Aryn turns her focus back to the mirror, lifting it to its previous place and rehooking it to the wall.
When this task is done, Aryn rejoins the others in observing the numbers, droideka, and the countdown placing an emphasis on escaping before their time expired. "Indeed," Aryn in-tones to Dyna with an amused smile. Turning to ponder the numbers, Aryn looks back at the stairs and paintings. "What comes to mind are: Possible pressure plates on the appropriately numbered stair; or.. a correlation with paintings; mayhaps a secret button or lever to release the door. I cannot say with certainty, this is a clever puzzle." Aryn clasps her hands at her lower back once more and looks up toward the ceiling, too, then back at the droid. "Hmm. I daresay our time is still running out. Catpaws beckoned by the departed to protect his trinkets. Posthumous call to duty." Tarisians were so weird.
Ejnar Celchu (Ejnar)
Ejnar looks around the room first from his position, feeling a bit more comfortable knowing that the guns and shields on the droid are not functional. However, looking at the boring and basic design of the room and its lack of any correlating numbers or colors of those numbers, the Lord Celchu moves to inspect the droid further. He steps carefully, slowly. Leaning down he waves a hand slowly in front of its targeting and visual sensors. After a moment he rises back up, standing upright and looks to Aryn and the others. "Yeah... I got nothing." He sighs, eyeing the timer.
Saturi (Uri)
Strolling past the deactivated the lasers, ancient roller droid, and the colored numbers, Saturi surveys the room for anything that might be of use. As far as solving the cipher goes, she could help in spite of overturning the various artifacts. "There is a loose panel on the wall over here." Her call is directed to the entire group.
Blue hands pry at the paneling, trying to budge it loose. "I don't know if it will help much..." Eventually it gives, revealing a network of power cables, HoloNet nodes, and a small terminal. "...but someone with experience in home improvement might have a decent grasp on this."
Noemie Lenoir (NL)
As the protocol droid upstairs was left partially disassembled, it sees no reason to offer advice to the group that descended the stairs of its former master's estate - it simply remains within the artifact room in despair.
Stairs are the arch-nemesis of the droideka, an ancient technology that can defeat the advanced war droid with one simple trick!
The droid, however, doesn't seem very interested in moving. Enough time has passed, however, that it does decide to power on its repeaters, the weapons chiming with electric power-up sounds, while its blue shield suddenly flickers to life around it. Behind it, above the blast doors, the timer counts down. Less than five minutes to zero.
Curiously, with what must be an aftermarket modification, the droideka speaks! Basic, even! Its voice is heavily modulated and darkly robotic. Speaking slowly, it says, "The solution is elementary, my master. You have programmed me to warn you that you must utter the phrase momentarily. You will be destroyed periodically. Please respond to the phrase: You are the.." Its repeaters are raised toward the group, its programming instructing it to hesitate a few moments longer before firing.
56, 10, 8, 9, 84, 3 and 58.
Tan Rackus (Tan)
Aiding in the dismantling and opening up of the device in question, Tan offers a few little suggestions, a few pokes, a few prods, and just a mere hint of appreciation for the skill she witnesses in her companion o' the devices, Saturi. "Not that you need my assistance I'm sure, but that droid looks scary." A faltering grin is offered, trying to stay strong in the face of possible annihilation. "Yeah, that's the spot... that little bit there. Oh good, good, yeah, I'd have done that the other way, yours is much more graceful a way." Nodding, complimenting, assisting. Tan offers her most mechanical advice and assistance, in finally bringing them one step closer to escape. And indeed, when that door finally opens. With the droid having activated, and deactivated. It is a look of relief that follows! A Noemie!
Dyna Selenis (Dyna)
Dyna rubs the back of her head and furrows her brow as she stares at the numbers for a moment. "The colors clearly have some meaning, and each number is likely a letter..." she mumbles while thinking on the droid's recent hint. "Wait... periodically..." She rubs her chin and then digs out her datapad and brings something up on her screen. After a moment of looking it over she looks to the droid and says, "Bane of police." After a pause she adds, "Certainly thought highly of himself." When the doors open, Dyna quickly steps past the droid and out of the building, glad to be done with that. Seeing Noemie waiting there for them she flashes the woman a sheepish smile. "Well, I see -you- had an easier time than we did."
Aryn Cortess (AC)
Aryn places a hand upon the hilt at her hip when the droid begins to prime its weapon systems. Not eager to chop up the relic from the clone wars, Aryn shows restraint and patience as those around her continue to ponder the challenge ahead of them. She was not alerted to the contents of the hack and deactivation where as the files of the departed owner could be reviewed.
When the doors open thanks to Dyna's quick wit, Aryn nods approvingly. "An absolutely singular visit, this.. truly. Even in peril, I think I managed to have fun. Not the worst attempt on my life, at least; points for enthusiasm and cleverness. Alas, a shame about the Chalcedony Star; I imagine it needs to go through probate courts before being open to the market." The thought of thieving the jewelry had not even occurred to Aryn, who steps out to join the Co-Leader of their Guild. "I think I saw a ware I am interested in purchasing. If you know of the sellers, do send them to my staff. Alderaan is eager to see its old trinkets find a new home." Said to Noemie, before stepping off to walk toward the edge of the platform. It's there she stayed for now, seeming aloof as she considered the sight of the Night City of Taris. "What manner of cuisine do you think Taris is most known for, Lord Celchu? I daresay our most recent event has made me famished..--Suffice to say, I would fancy something with wine.."
Ejnar Celchu (Ejnar)
Ejnar stares at the numbers and then looks towards the terminal. He turns that way and was about to make his way over when Dyna makes quick work of the puzzle as soon as the cipher is available. "Interesting..." The Alderaanian remarks before moving to peek his head out the blast doors... because just in case. As he steps out with Princess Cole, he offers her his arm if she wishes to take it. "Oh... I do think something similar to Coruscant. Like, Dex's Diner or perhaps a Noddle shop like on Nar Shaddaa... unless a more refined steakhouse might be to your liking in the upper sectors." Wherever they settled it would likely be a hearty meal... and Ejnar would have to watch his table manners.
