Awvoor was starting to get very frustrated. This was not the first time he's had to bribe a guard, but Republic people are usually a little more humble than this bantha-fodder.

"1000 credits is very generous. How much do you get paid in a week anyway? But the basic rule of negotiation is that you've played your cards and now we play ours. How much is your time worth? Jerk me around and we'll be back in hyperspace and you get no creds and the pleasure of explaining to your superiors why three very important people just left your docking bay muttering stuff about a bribe..."

He reached in and pulled out a credit chip, resisting the urge to do something rash and probably stupid. "This is unmarked... how much does it need to scan?"

(OOC: Persuasion? Gather Info?)

The officer looked at Awvoor. Although he didn't like it, the Ithorian did make a good point.

"Very well," he said annoyed, "1,000 credits will be enough." He took the credit chip and scanned it. "Enjoy your stay here at Ord Mantell." Before long, the Republic troops had left the landing area.

"Thanks," the Rodian then said. "The Law here ain't really likin' me much. If they had IDed me, it would've spelled some trouble."

“Trouble?” Benjamin said, appraising the Rodian. He was still annoyed at the indecent treatment he and the Embassador had received, and how this “officer” had just tarnished the name of the Republic through his bribery. His superiors will still hear about this, if I have anything to say about it! he fumed inside.

He continued to press the Rodian, “What kind of trouble you into here? Why don’t you spell it out a bit more clearly for us, seeing how the good Doctor just gave you the ‘free pass’ card.”

While outwardly he looked to listen, the truth was Benjamin wasn’t really interested in the Rodian’s troubles… not really… not right now. The Jedi was interested in getting this data card into his master’s hands and, after the Rodian had given an explanation, Benjamin drew the Embassador aside so that they might have a private conversation.

“Embassador,” he begins. “I know I don’t need to remind you of our mission. I am merely wondering if you have a plan for the safe delivery of those data disks to Master Roti? I was thinking, perhaps, the good Doctor might be willing to assist us with transportation, assuming we could negotiate a fair price. My question is, how much funds do we have at our disposal?”

The Rodian looked Benjamin in the eye. "It ain't nothing to worry about, my friend," he said calmly, then turning to Awvoor. "Now, 'bout that payment I promised for the fare. I was in a middle of delivery and ain't gettin' no money 'til the job is done. How 'bout I finish the delivery an' git the money to ya as soon as I'm done?"

Benjamin drew Milix aside and asked him about his plans to get the data card to master Rial Moti. "I am sssorry, massster Jedi," Milix replied, "my plansss end when Mandaloriansss attack my ssship." He then seemed to think for a moment. "Perhapsss doctor help, yesss. Let usss asssk."

Milix walked up to Awvoor, close enough to catch his attention. "Good doctor," he said, "we like you help usss get to Telerath. You assssissst usss, yesss?"

All this conversation and none of it open, or at least only Rodians and nobody seemed to be paying much attention to him. What was interesting was the conversation the Jedi, the Noble and the so called diplomat. She'd seen a data disk thing earlier on the ship and had wondered about what it was, now it was kind of obvious that it's what they were attacked for so they had a choice. See that the disk got to where it needed to go or stay her, be found and then be torchered for it's location. The biggest worry was Kate, it would only need someone to access her memory to find the location.

She started off rather confrontational but her tone turned almost hopeful towards the end with the thrill of an adventure.
"So Jedi, I think you should come clean. I know you have a data disk and it's probaly why we got chased. Just tell us the truth so we can decide, if you don't tell use and we stay here you've killed us because they'll hunt us down and torcher us. You tell us and we stay here the same thing happens, but you tell us and we come we can see to getting the job done. I'd come if only you'd tell us the truth."
Any force user would be able to tell she's telling the truth and anyone with enough reasoning would be able to work out their fate if they stayed. The Jedi was in a right situation, of cause this was slightly calculated, she knew he'd only tell the truth if it was the only option and she hoped that he wouldn't condemn them.

[OOC: Just a quick reply to Arruna. I'm kinda waiting on Addy to reply to the Khil...]

Benjamin turned toward the accusing Twi'lek. Perceptive little girl, he thought internally. Not very discreet, but definitely perceptive...
The Jedi replied as one who was used to weilding authority -- his words were even and measured, "You are mistaken, Arruna," he began. "I do not owe you an explanation of my business. If anything, you owe a debt of thanks to the Embassador for given you refuge on his ship while your planet was being bombarded by the Mandalorians. And we all owe a debt of thanks to the good Doctor for the safe transportation to this planet and his handling of the port authorities. You should be thankful that you are alive at all"

Pausing for a moment, he continued, "As for being tracked down and tortured by the Mandalorians due to myself or the Embassador and our current mission... it is possible, though unlikely. Besides, even if our mission was valuable enough that someone would come track you down to know our location, they would still torture and kill you regardless of what you knew."

"As it stands now, Arruna, I see no reason to provide you with the information you seek."

The Jedi gave the Twi'lek woman a nod and looked to turn back to the conversation with the Doctor.

Although the discussion had taken an interesting turn, it really wasn't in Kate's interest all that much. If it was the Jedi's own business, then it would remain that way until it was time to disclose it; this was just proven by his own words.

"I don't recall having been here before." Kate murmured aloud, looking to the others inquiringly, "I suppose, since this is a militaristic planet, that there wouldn't be much in the way of a gambling institution such as a casino, would there?"

The nature of gambling, although mainly a matter of chance and illogical to most droids, actually fascinated Kate. There was something about it that just seemed interesting, mainly how, despite the nature of chance, one could seemingly alter one's odds through such concepts of fate or destiny. Most droids would consider such a thing so illogical that they would dismiss it entirely, but Kate was not most droids. True, she had to admit the notion was a bit strange, but her personality and neural network syntax was designed from a human basis, and therefore by extension was the source of her fascination. Perhaps it would be bothersome, or illogical, but Kate wouldn't never get rid of it; that is part of who she was, part of what set her different than others.

Still, all that aside, there was one thing needed in order to set up for an excursion to a casino, but she'd have to ask Arruna about that later, if there was a casino in the first place.

The Jedi had the arrogance to ask for thanks for saving them, no doubt it was him and his friend that got us into this. Never had she met someone who kept his cards so close to his chest when he was so close to being found out, she already knew that he had information the Mandals wanted and that it must be important.No doubt the Mandals would be able to find then and track them to where ever the disk was going.

Half yelling at the Jedi Arrune put aside Kate's gambling comment, she wasn't going to be insulted but this Jedi when she'd had to fly for her own life twice in her life now.
"How dare you, if it weren't for you and him we'd never have been attacked. It's obvious that the Mandals want whatever your acting courier for otherwise they wouldn't have attacked just our transport and certainly wouldn't have pursued the Doctor's ship. You put us all at risk for some data disk that you need to deliver to some friend."
She paused to draw breath, she was getting quite a color in her face now (would be red except I don't know what color blue Twi'leks go when their angry)
"Mandalorians just don't do that any way. There a warrior people, poodoo beliefs like glory in death and battle and facing armed opponents, they don't just attack civilians like that. Some one's controlling them, why do you tell us who that was with the lightsaber cos Mandals just don't do that."
And she knew, or she thought she did, she'd met one before she got her freedom. She did a good job on upgrading his armor, wonder if it's one of the one's on that ship.

Benjamin turned back to the Twi’lek woman as she began to shout at him. He had hoped Arruna would have understood his need for discretion, but it seemed she did not. Listening politely until she was finished, his eyes continued to scan the area for trouble or anyone taking an interest in the heated Twi’lek.

When Arruna was finished, Benjamin replied disarmingly, “My apologies, Arruna,” he bowed. “I did not realize how much this upset you. Nor was I trying to insult you with my words. Let me try again.” He paused before continuing.

“Arruna, I appreciate the help you provide us in securing the safety of the Embassador off the Capital Ship. You placed your life at risk for us as you battled the Mandalorians and their battle droids alongside of us. Thank you,” the Jedi said with a nod.

“With regards to the Mandalorians attacking your planet and the Embassador’s ship, I cannot speak with certainty that it was because of the Embassador’s present mission. It may have, and, if so, I apologize for the danger in which you were placed. I have deep sorrow about all the lives lost on board the ship and for those caught up in the destruction of your planet.” Benjamin shook his head, “Sadly, words cannot return the dead to life, nor can I offer a sum to heal this wound.”

“As to who was behind the Mandalorian attack, I cannot answer that question with complete certainty either. I can say that the Togorian we met in the hanger was definitely Sith-trained, and well trained at that. The cat’s arrogance was his undoing.”

“And now about my mission,” Benjamin paused to allow Arruna to look deep into his eyes,to see that there was no deception in his words. “My mission is to escort and protect the Embassador with my life, unless instructed to do otherwise by either the Embassador or my master. The actual purpose of the Embassador’s mission is his own, and is not mine to share.”

“So, Arruna,” he continued gently. “We find ourselves at an impasse – you desire certain knowledge which I am unwilling to share with you. I wish that it were not the case. I wish that you could understand my motives for keeping the Embassador’s business his business. I wish the times were not so dark for the Republic that one did not have to have secret meetings and confidential information. But, sadly, these are the times we live in.”

“However, perhaps there could be an arrangement made between us that could be mutually beneficial,” Benjamin paused to look over at the Embassador for approval. Receiving a nod from the Khil, the Jedi continued, “Perhaps you might be interested in continuing to journey with us until we reach our destination. I believe you may have a unique set of skills which might be of use to the Embassador. Compensation for your time would need to be worked out with the Embassador, but if for no other reason, it would give you a chance to start over. What do you say?”

[OOC: Assuming Kate is listening in as well]

Benjamin turned to the droid as well, “How about it, Kate? Interested in continuing this relationship?”

[OOC:

Loki – Not trying to be an ass here, just the character. Benjamin will not share with Arruna the information contained on the disc no matter how convincing her arguments. Should the Embassador choose to share the information with Arruna, that will be his choice.

Skari – I hope the offer of “employment” to Kate and Arruna is okay. Just trying to keep the group together. I don’t know what kind of compensation the Embassador can offer, hopefully something…

Addy – Where are you, man? ]

Arrune listened to Benjamin after her outburst, she can't say it was calculated but it certainly seamed the only way to get even a thread of information. She had heard of the Sith, not much but enough, it the Sith are after the data disks then they must be galactically important and it seamed sensible to disguise it as a Mandalorian chance attack. Benjamin had also extended the invite to Kate, Arrune knew that Kate's life had been on that planet and was unlikely to let it go without wanting some sort or fight. She also knew that Kate was her closest friend and she'd follow her to the death... if that's applicable for droid.

As Ben came to explaining his mission he let her see into his eyes, a chance she didn't take. She could just about tell, maybe, if someone was uncomfortable by their body language. He was telling the truth, maybe he was uncomfortable about the cost of his mission in lives but more likely Arrune was just hoping he was.

"If the Sith are after whatever the ambassador has then I'm with you."
She wasn't ready to say his name yet but she wasn't going to call him 'Jedi' anymore. She hoped Kate would help, she hated droid pilots but she'd trust Kate as her co-pilot or wing-woman any day. If only they could convince the Nobel to let her at the controls.

Kate blinked. She had to admit she was a bit surprised; organics by nature didn't often associate droids to be very free-willed, and usually just assumed that they go by or with whatever their 'owner' chooses. Still, just the offer simply being there was enough for Kate to smile.

"It's been a while since I was a bodyguard... but maybe I should try it again. Besides, if Arrune is going too, there's no way I won't do the same; she's probably the only one who could put me back together if needed anyway." Kate replied.

Admittedly, although she kept referring to how she was a bodyguard, Kate truly did not have much data regarding what or who she protected, as well as who her original designer was. It left her feeling just a bit incomplete, with a few gaps in her memory... all she knew was that they were there because of some memory wipes, done for legal reasons. It was just one of the reasons she hated memory wipes.... the 'feeling' of emptiness associated with them, even if droids supposedly didn't have feelings. Arrune had told her that Kate was a bodyguard of someone in an illicit group before it was caught and disbanded, and therefore the memory wipe was so that Kate wouldn't be able to aid in the restructure or aid in the formation of another group, but that was about all that could be pieced together.

The recollection brought a slightly colder look to Kate's holographic face. "... I won't require a memory wipe after this, correct?" She asked, her voice's tone slightly dangerous.

Arrune suddenly remembered about Kate, it wasn't she didn't care about her, just that she was a bit angry with Ben. She'd forgotten how important it was to Kate to be asked to be involved rather then it being assumed. She was glad that Ben was including them in this, what ever it was.

"I'd never wipe you Kate. You’re too much an organic."
But this filled her with guilt. But Kate was better now. She was caring and passionate; she'd learnt so much and developed such a good personality.

If she could get Awvoor's trust to work on the ship. She needed to finish the flame thrower, wonder what I can do with the shield generator. Don't think I'll put it on my speeder, or maybe I will. Turning to the Rodian she asked

"Your familiar with this planet aren’t you? Can you take me to some scrap yards or rubbish dumps? Somewhere I can find starship parts, particularly military ships or weaponry."
She turned back to Ben and Awvoor

"As were here and trying to award the Mandalorians would you mind if I worked on the ship? Perhaps improve the sublightspeed or hyperdrive speeds."
But that's not all she intended to do, combat thrusters and a disguised or better yet IFF transponder.

(OOC: I'm going to be in Wales with my college Friday, Saturday, Sunday and only get back Monday night so I'll most likly be wacked)