Star Forge - 24

+100
Miniature Missiles Make Messes
+100
Hack the Planet
+100
Sand Still Sucks
+1000
Killed Jabba the Hutt
[Roll – Bank – Shop]

ROLL.

[COST: 200 CP]
[SKILL: None Shall Pass]
[When you plant your feet at a gate or a bridge, no one can bypass you or attack those in your charge without first dealing with you. For some reason, numbers seem meaningless if there is no fighter or beast among the horde that can best you in single combat, then charging as a mob is just delivering bodies up for your blade.]
[Purchase – Dismiss]

That would have been helpful a few minutes ago.

PURCHASE. ROLL.

[COST: 800FP]
[ITEM: Damaged Microchip ]
[While this looks like the damaged CPU from the first Terminator that Cyberdyne used to help build Skynet, it is actually a storage device. This contains information on just about everything that Skynet has ever produced. From the modified T-1 and small Hunter Killers, to the T3000 and Large Hunter Killer Tanks and Walkers. Even information on how to build an AI as advanced as Skynet is here, along with Time Travel technology. The problem is, not only is the coding not understandable by the average computer, but the damage to it has eliminated some coding. Nothing is vital to the schematics, but it is now even harder to piece the information together. It is unlikely to get all of the information out without 100 years of work.]
[Purchase – Dismiss]

Upgrade my battle droids to terminators? Fuck yeah.

PURCHASE.

[Cyberdyne Research Available]

ROLL.

[COST: 1000 CP]
[ITEM: Hammerhead-class Cruiser]
[The main capital ship of the Republic fleet. This 300-meter-long vessel can hold several hundred crew members and passengers and is able to carry a single squadron of starfighters plus a few shuttles. The armament consists of four dual turbo laser cannons, two medium turbo lasers, and a tractor beam emitter all mounted on the front of the ship. Numerous point-defense cannons are also scattered along this vessel to protect against enemy starfighters. Typical rooms and facilities such as crew quarters, storage areas, medical, engineering, escape pods, dining, and holding cells are all installed on this vessel. A full crew of maintenance and combat droids will help you navigate, operate the onboard systems, fire the ship’s weaponry, and engage enemies until you can gather a proper crew. Additionally, this ship comes fully stocked with supplies, a full complement of starfighters stored in the hanger bay, and two shuttles. Starfighters and droids will respawn 24 hours after they’re destroyed or upon total ship respawn. Food, medicine, fuel, ammo, spare parts, and other supplies will replenish after they’re consumed.]
[Bookmark – Dismiss]
[Balance: 800 Forge Points]

Damn, another good roll. I couldn't afford it yet.

BOOKMARK.

~

"You do realize we got lucky here," Beth said as we lounged on the newly placed throne.

It was too small for a Hutt but had plenty of room for the three of us. The staff, former slaves, and dancers were currently splitting the contents of the vault. We had already helped ourselves to a good chunk of it as well as anything that caught our eye. Jabba didn't care too much for weapons or armor beyond the ceremonial stuff, so Bo was annoyed. Jewels, quite a few variants of credits, and artifacts were what the slug liked.

I didn't have enough for a bigger ship yet, but the score had a dent.

"How so?" I asked.

"The sandstorm," Beth replied. "The place was locked down, guards were off-duty, and there weren't any visitors that we had to worry about."

"Yeah," I nodded. "I would say it was all in the plan except you know that's a lie."

"We'll need to get something set for when the storm ends," Bo chimed in. "The mercs won't care as long as they get paid. Other crime lords will try to take Jabba's place."

"The turrets will help with that," I said.

We settled into a thoughtful silence. The people that had gathered before Jabba were still there. I could recognize a few from the movies. Among them I could spot the musicians and the beast handler. The cold glare of my helmet did not lend to easing their discomfort.

Beth motioned to the people that were milling about, "what are we going to do about them?"

"We've got until the sandstorm ends to talk to them," I answered. "Then we can see who wants to stay and all that. We should probably check the cells too."

"Good point," Bo added.

An ornate crown rested atop her head while her helmet was tucked beside her.

"Being Jabba's prisoner doesn't make them innocent," Beth pointed out.

"It looks like we've got a job to do," I stood from the throne.

The others in the room went silent. Beth had found and deactivated the slave control chips. That didn't stop them from falling into old habits. They were accustomed to people in power going back on their word for no reason.

"I need a volunteer," I announced. "Someone who knows the prisoners and why they are here."

Bib Fortuna raised a shaky hand, "honored Mando, I offer my humble services."

I rolled my eyes under my helmet. The guy was a life-long toady, of course he would know everything about this place. Though, if things worked similar to the way they did on my old world, there were others that did the real work and got none of the credit.

"Gather your people," I ordered.

He nodded and scurried over to the assembled assortment of aliens. They gathered in front of the throne after a short discussion.

"Fortuna," I motioned for him to stand beside me.

Something close to success flashed in his eyes. He scrambled beside me faster than I had seen him move this entire time. I drew my Travelers Particle Magnum, flipped the mode to Stun, and shot the Twi'lek before he knew what was happening. Bib Fortuna dropped like a sack of wet laundry. The assembled workers froze.

I holstered the weapon, "he's stunned."

They leaned in closer to see the Twi'lek was still breathing. That calmed them down a little.

"Now," I said once they settled. "Who does the real work?"

We stopped by the cells first. Four prisoners in varied states of distress watched our approach with a mixture of curiosity and dread. My helmet scanned their faces and compared them to listed bounties. Only one came up as a match. A human that had a habit of stealing things from the wrong people. He was also the only of the four that hadn't survived. The other three were alive but looked like they had gone through hell.

The survivors didn't have any listed bounties. My newly acquired assistants had no idea who they were. Prisoner records hadn't been updated in years. Not helpful since only the thief had been imprisoned for longer than a month. Apparently Jabba was rather efficient when dealing with prisoners.

I let them out and sent them to get cleaned up. Beth kept an eye on them through the security cameras. They would be more inclined to talk after a shower, some food, and sleeping on an actual bed. The sandstorm would probably be over by then.

We moved on to the preparations once the prisoners were dealt with. The security system was getting upgraded thanks to Beth. Bo was setting up choke points and traps if we needed them. I stepped away and opened a door to my warehouse.

I found Anakin and Tali enraptured watching the ship research the upgraded droids. It would assemble one of the older units along with another of a newer generation. The system scanned each droid through the process to compare the changes and improve the quality of both. I got the feeling that I could have had a batch of the former generation of droids going at the same time as the research if I had the open spot.

Wait. An open spot.

I moved passed the duo, allowing them to continue whatever they were doing. Instead, I stepped up to a nearby console.

[Generation 3 – 4 Days Remaining]
[Basilisk Droid Production – 2 Days Remaining]
[Add Research Slot – 500 Forge Points]
[Yes/No]

PURCHASE.

An empty slot appeared under the Basilisk Droid Research.

[Begin Production?]
[Begin Research?]

PRODUCTION.

[Select Generation and Amount]

I ordered 70 Gen 2 Battle Droids. They looked rather similar to the first model, but they had a sturdier chassis, better joints, and more articulated hands. Mainly, the changes were in processing and intelligence.

Another window appeared beside the other two research bays. This one was a compact assembly line. I watched as it quickly put together ten battle droids in less than a minute. They stepped out fully armed and ready to go in groups of the same size.

[Balance: 300 Forge Points]

It would make getting the ship take longer, but it was worth it.

"Woah," Anakin rushed over to the new droids.

"Anakin," I called. "I'll make a few for you to tinker with. These ones I need."

"Fine," Anakin muttered.

Tali patted the boy on the shoulder.

"I'll make some for you too," I added.

Tali squeaked in happiness. She rushed over and wrapped me in a hug. Her senses returned a moment later. She jumped back and started to brush off my armor.

"I am sorry," she said. "I don't know what came over me."

"It's fine," I smiled under my helmet. "I'll have some more options later."

"What is it?" Anakin popped up beside his surrogate sister.

"You'll have to wait and see," I teased.

He muttered something that sounded rather grumpy. Tali directed him back to the window that looked in on the droid research.

"Droids," I called as I stepped over to them. "Follow me."

Setting defenses for the palace was going to be a lot easier now.

~~~
NOTE:
Short one today. Sorry. Things are a little rough at the moment.