*Jade Fox has spent a month following their Bellerephon caper taking weak tea jobs.  As a result, they're in the hole somewhat when it comes time for shipboard maintenance.

*While on the Border world of Paquin, Marcus gets word from Levi Edelstein, a professional middle-man for the various below board jobs the world has to offer.

*Levi has a buyer interested in procuring the Stradivarius violin that resides withing the Prometheus, the last surviving Ark ship that brought humanity to the 'Verse.  The plan is to take the violin, and replace it with a counterfeit.  The crew wil then take the real violin to Levi's fence on Beaumonde.  The total take is worth over 7,000 credits, with the crew's cut being 4200.

*Luckily for them, Mai Lin's eyes, grown by Archie, the ship's medic on the backs of a pair of koi, are ready to be transplanted.  This necessitates a trip to Bernadette, where coincidentally the Prometheus job is.  Armed with this knowledge, the crew decides to take the job, and promptly leave for...the Border world of Newhall.

*Two days of hard sailing brings them to Newhall, stopping long enough to drop off a legitimate cargo of fishing supplies for the fleet there, and to pick up Sarah and Arabella Worth, Archie's mistress and daughter, respectively.  Archie states that he needs Sarah's help with Mai Lin's surgery, as Sarah served as a surgical nurse with the Independents during the War.

*Four days out of Newhall, and the Jade Fox lands on Bernadette.  Archie, Mai Lin, Sarah and Jay all leave the ship, koi in tow, to con their way into a hospital surgery suite.  On the way, they pick up Dr. Cala Robards, a former classmate of Archie's at the MedAcad he attended.  She is also helping with the surgery, in exchange for Archie's technique in growing the eyes in the first place.

*Meanwhile, Marcus, Zhan and Taeris, Arabella in tow, make their way to the Prometheus.  Their plan was to simply case the room that the violin resides in, but circumstances allowed them to attempt the job itself.

*At the hospital, the surgery team bluff their way inside.  Jay is given the task of keeping lookout for the twelve hour surgery, dissuading anyone from entering the suite.  This is complicated by the fact that a procedure is scheduled for that room in five hours.

*Furthermore, Jay is hit on/harassed by one of the hospital's private security officers, giving her a bit of extra stress.  Nonetheless, she performs her job admirably, and the surgery goes as planned.

*Back at the Prometheus, Taeris disables the security system that protects the violin, while Zhan and Marcus keep a lookout for the Alliance Federals that patrol the area.  Arabella, hopped up on sugar from several pieces of candy, serves to distract Marcus.

*Swapping out the violin goes smoothly; resetting the alarm, not as much.  Taeris accidentally triggers it, causing a squad of Federals to rush in.  Zhan blends into the crowd, making his way off the Ark unseen.  Marcus and Taeris don't have that option.

*Luckily, the commotion, mixed with the sugar Arabella ingested provides them with a convenient alibi;  the poor girl vomits just before the Federals arrive, and her crying allows them all to leave without much question.  No one will notice the theft for many months.

*Back on the ship, the Prometheus group await the surgery team's return.  When they do, Marcus is surprised to see Mai Lin's eyes bandaged.  Archie leaves for the evening, Cala and Sarah in tow, to keep up another part of the deal he made with the women for their help.

*In space two days later, Archie removes the bandages from Mai Lin.  It is the moment of truth; the surgery was a complete success, and the blind Companion can now see the ship and her friends with new, green eyes.   She celebrates by visiting Marcus, who reacts in his typical Moonbrained fashion.

*The crew lands at the private starport of Slipstream Shipping.  They are then escorted to see Argen Bell, the Duro vice president of personnel with the company.  Bell informs them that as their contracts were with Captain Nay'lar personally, that they are now all void.  Each crew member receives their last paycheck, but a 300 credit bonus for the timely return of company property (the Idiot's Array itself)

*Bell then offers to extend the PC's a new contract.  They can either haul cargo for Slipstream at a significant pay increase, or opt to buy the Idiot's Array from the company, working off their debt with smuggling jobs.  The crew decides to take a little time to decide one way or another.  Mag and Xiann pool their resources, putting up the crew in a luxury suite in Imperial Center.

*Ollie visits the Coruscant Botanical Gardens, to try and find some comfort on a world without vegitation.

*Meanwhile, after a brief discussion amongst themselves, the crew decides to take Bell up on his offer of purchasing the Idiot's Array, and for official purposes naming Argoth as Captain.  The ship, however, will remain a democracy of sorts.

*Argoth looks for a little fun (by Mandalorian standards), eventually discovering a private fighting group.  He brings Xiann and Mag with him, and all three are immediately swept up into fights.  The weapon of choice for the evening was serving trays.

*Jessric tracks Mag's comlink signal for fun, then follows the signal to the fight club.  Like the others, he is given a partner to fight with.  Jessric, being a Woostoid and not much of a fighter, loses badly, but gains respect from Argoth.

*Xiann purchases new clothing in CoCo Town, one of Coruscant's many neon saturated commercial districts.

*Mag, Fenn and Argoth receive orders from a local Rebel cell, asking that they meet in the Mid-Rim tropical fish tanks of Coruscant's Royal Icqui Aquaria.  It goes on to suggest that they perhaps bring backup for themselves.  Without going into details, they bring Xiann, Jessric and Ollie with them.

*The crew travels to the aquarium, stopping briefly by a touch tank filled with Vaynai Rainbow Rays.  Argoth purchases candy for the children in the area (much to their parent's dismay), then everyone heads for the tropical exhibit.

*A few minutes after reaching their rendezvous, their Rebel contact arrives; a pale skinned near-Human with bright red hair.  She is breathless, and informs the group that they should leave immediately.  It is then that the distinctive clacking of metallic feet can be heard:  the agent was followed.

*Argoth and Mag hastily make a barricade consisting of a couple of benches found by the tanks.  Xiann and the Rebel agent position themselves behind some cover, and Ollie prepares to aid any injured.  Fenn and Jessric quickly pool their slicing abilities together, attempting to hack the computer system controlling the B1 Battle droids.  Meanwhile, a particularly aggressive looking decapoid creature hungrily looks on...

*Fenn and Jessric manage to override the droid control device.  As the 8 B1s deploy, the pair send them new orders to turn on their B4 masters.  They comply, and are immediately gunned down.  However, this gives Mag, Argoth and Xiann a chance to fire on their new would-be captors.

*The B4s, under heavy fire, toss a pair of grenades behind the makeshift barricade.  the resulting blast damages the tank walls, causing rapidly spreading fissures.  A few more bursts of fire from Mag, Argoth and Xiann reduced the remaining battle droids to slag.

*The crew begins to make their escape, just as the tank ruptures.  Emergency doors begin closing; sirens blaring, lights flashing, people fleeing.  Argoth activates his jetpack, carrying the Rebel agent to safety.  As the decapoid creature charges, the last of the crew makes it safely through the emergency doors.


*An angry speeder ride to the Array reveals the Rebel's mission; she was to pick up an information packet from Captain Nay'lar, and replace it with another bound for Naboo; the next time they are on world, they are to meet with a Twi'lek street performer in Theed.

*Argoth, Mag and Fenn explain the situation to Ollie, Xiann and Jessric.  Fenn, in true Bothan fashion, places the majority of the blame on Mag.  Argoth points out that he was mostly railroaded into joining the Rebellion, and Mag states that he didn't think there would be any trouble.  The Rebel agent apologizes, and exits the ship, her mission complete.

*Xiann has a few choice words to make, then storms off.  Obviously, there will be no love for Argoth that night.

*Fenn left Tatooine for a couple of days, heading to Bespin on Spynet business.  For the safety of the rest of the crew, he went alone.

*Xiaan awoke to find an Anaxi Starcat on her chest, demanding to be fed.  The cat was a gift to her from Ollie.

*Fenn returns in time to watch Mag participate in his amateur skyhopper race.  Mag, realizing that his skyhopper could do with an inspection by a real mechanic, hires Jessric, a Woostoid tech searching for employment in Mos Espa's racing pits.

*Jessric performs a bit of routine maintenance on the 'hopper; Fenn, Xiaan and Argoth go to place their wagers for the upcoming race.

*Mag starts off strongly, pulling into an early fifth place, as one dozen skyhoppers race down Beggar's Canyon.

*Opting for the only accepted shortcut through the eye of the Canyon's Stone Needle, Mag shows excellent control.  The racer immediately in front of him isn't so lucky, clipping the inside of the eye and careening away, out of the race.  This places Mag firmly in fourth place.

*Mag nearly loses control of his skyhopper around a hairpin turn, but manages to pull out with only minor damage to his vehicle.  How much was skill, and how much was blind luck is open to debate.

*On a narrow straightaway, Mag catches the number three pilot.  He bumps the rival 'hopper (a perfectly legal move); the other pilot over corrects, and slams into the canyon wall, killing him instantly.  Mag raises to third place, but feels some guilt for killing someone.

*A bit of fancy flying allows Mag to catch the Second Place vehicle as they reach another Hairpin turn.  Mag negotiates this one with aplomb, and his machine takes the strain of a quick afterburn.  His opponent isn't so lucky, busting an engine and falling behind.

*Mag catches the lead pilot on another straightaway; this one is much wider, allowing him to bump without much risk of killing his opponent.   However, the leader is ready; a quick aileron roll and suddenly Mag is bumped, heading for the canyon walls.  The time it takes him to correct allows the number one man to lengthen his lead.

*The two jocky for position through a corkscrew tunnel, with Mag gain lost ground head into the home stretch.

*A final attempt to take the lead by Mag results in a photo finish.  He has lost, though just barely.  Not a bad run for a first time racer.  He collects his prize money of 1500 credits, and offers to speak with Captain Ralk about hiring Jessric onto the crew.  The test is administered; Jessric passes.

*A celebration is held in Mag's suite that evening, with Xiaan showing off her impressive dancing skills.  Argoth announces that it's time for everyone that isn't himself and the Twi'lek to leave, by choice or by force.

*The next day brings the Boonta Eve Classic; Sebulba, the favored racer every year, doesn't disappoint; knocking out four racers and retaining his title for yet another year.

*As Mag goes to collect his winnings, he is "politely" informed by the betting staff that he is no longer welcome to gamble on Tatooine.  for his "safety," he is escorted back to the Idiot's Array to ensure that he leaves planet.

*Ollie returns to the ship as the herdship Bazaar sets course for another system.  He informs the crew of his desire to search the Moddell Sector for signs of the Jungle Ghost.  Everyone agrees, and the Array sets course for Annaj, the sector capital.

*Six days later, the ship drops out of hyperspace.  a proximity alarm sounds, and Annaj control demands that the ship alter course to keep it from ramming the planet's docking station.  Mag quickly takes over, bringing the freighter under control.

*Fenn breaks in to the Captain's quarters, with Xiaan close behind.  They find Captain Ralk in her bed; she has died peacefully in her sleep roughly six hours before.

*A quick autopsy is performed on Annaj Station, where it is revealed that Ralk suffered from a disease called Wruuvian Hives, a terminal respiratory affliction.  The medical droid states that she contracted the disease over two decades ago, and that it was a wonder she lived so long.

*Fork informs the crew that they must immediately return the Idiot's Array to a Slipstream Shipping corporate office, either on Vaynai, or the capital of the Empire, Coruscant.  The crew, most of whom have never been to the capital, decide to head there.

*It is the start of the Boonta Eve Race Week, and the population of Mos Espa has swelled as beings from across the Outer Rim gather to watch swoop, skyhopper and pod races.  This prompts Captain Gatewood to recall half of his garrison to the city to help keep the peace.

*In conjunction with the races, the Ithorian Herdship Bazaar arrives in-system, bringing with it goods and curios from across a thousand worlds.

*Captain Nay'lar suggests that the crew vacate the Idiot's Array, as she will be using it as a shuttle to and from the Herdship.  They take lodgings in a Spacers' Inn suite.  Ollie, on the other hand, opts to take a space with his people onboard the Herdship, renting a tent at a camping site in the ship's Savannah biome.

*The dirtside crew decides to spend a day betting on the swoop races, which results in an extra bit of mad money for them.  They then decide to head up to Bazaar to do some shopping.

*Ollie, while searching for information about his own Herdship Jungle Ghost, learns that an Ithorian from his herd named Jawiin Huu is somewhere on the vessel.  He enlists the help of the rest of the crew to find her.

*Mag makes a faux pas upon viewing the tent Ollie has rented for the week.  To make amends, he and Fenn attempt to track down Jawiin Huu.

*Argoth meets two Mandalorians of the Beviin Clan, serving as bodyguards to a trio of stuck-up Coreworlders.  He's invited to join them in a meal.  He then tracks down and purchases two knives, one for Xiann (+1 to strike), and one for himself (+2 to damage).

*Mag and Fenn successfully track down Jawiin Huu, finding out that she runs an open air tea and wine tent in Bazaar's marketplace.  They relay this information to Ollie, who is grateful.

*The next day, the group heads to meet Huu.  Ollie and her have a long conversation, in which he learns that Jungle Ghost was rumored to have passed through the Modell Sector roughly two standard months ago.  Mag samples a variety of teas and a very fruity wine.  Argoth opts to track down a cantina, with the aid of Fenn.  They find one staffed by a Wookie bartender, who offers a strong purple ale to the Mandalorian.  Quickly hammered, Argoth purchases a travel keg for later.

*Mag, still at the tea tent, has struck up a conversation with a well dressed Gamorrean musician, traveling the galaxy on Bazaar to try and improve the image of his people.

*As they continue to converse, pirates led by the Rodian Ripo launch an attack on the marketplace, killing dozens and stealing several rare items from the vendors.  The group intercedes.

*A fierce battle ensues; the pirates are led by a Twi'lek sharpshooter, and a musclebound human wielding a vibro-ax.  The human charges Argoth in the blink of an eye, engaging him in close combat.  The Mandalorian's blaster fire strikes true, but fails to down his opponent, who in turn gives Argoth a gaping wound from shoulder to belly.

*One by one, the pirates fall.  A second blast from Argoth sends the fearsome human to the ground, as a lucky shot from a Dug pirate does the same to Argoth.  Xiann and Fenn overwhelm the sniper with their combined fire, and the remaining pirates are gunned down.  Ollie rushes to Argoth, expertly applying first aid to save his life.

*Around this time an Imperial response team arrives; a pair of TIE fighters chase Ripo and his gang out of the system, and aid is sent in to help the wounded.

*Argoth examines the corpse of his Human foe, and notices that his eyes are bright yellow and red.  Asking around, the group learns that this is a sign of a Force-user going to the Darkside.  Argoth resolves to kill any other Darksiders he meets, thinking of them as worthy foes.

*In gratitude for taking the brunt of the fighting once again, the crew treats Argoth to a full Bacta treatment onboard the Herdship.  They live to fight another day.

*Argoth, Xiann and Mag took a 2,000 credit bounty against Tiss'shish'narr, a Trandoshan smuggler hiding in Mos Eisley.  A pitched gunfight in Dargalla the Hutt's palace resulted in Tiss' demise, a few new scars for Xiann and Argoth, and the destruction of both a high quality painting and a very nice couch.  Several bets on themselves resulted in a nice stack of bonus credits for everyone.

*Captain Gatewood, the commander of Tatooine's Imperial Garrison, offers Argoth an Imperial Bounty Hunter's License, which would give him access to more lucrative contracts.  He declines the offer.

*Xiann took a job as a substitute dancer at Reelo's cantina in Mos Espa.

*Ollie learned that the Herdship Bazaar is scheduled to be in-system within the next standard month.  This may be a huge step in finding his lost herd.  He also purchased an Anaxi starcat for Xiann.

*Mag purchased a very nice (if used) T-12 Skyhopper.  A former racing model, it is garishly painted Sand yellow, with splotches of mottled pinks, browns and grays.  Added to it the grinning toothy maw beneath the cockpit, and the Skyhopper resembles a Krayt Dragon.

*Mag and Fenn have a conversation with Captain Nay'lar, during which they intimate their desire to join the Rebellion.  Ralk gives them instructions to go to a cafe called No Particular Consequence in Anchorhead, and order the blueplate special with Womp Rat from a waitress named Cala.  They take Argoth with him.  After some befuddled attempts to pass on their code, the three successfully make contact with the local Rebel Cell.

*Streen, the Cell's apparent leader, has a small mission for the trio to complete before they are officially recruited; assassinate Captain Gatewood.  They are given a sniper rifle and a bomb in which to do so.

*Though they sense that there is more to this request than meets the eye, Mag, Fenn and Argoth nonetheless attempt to carry out their task.  Argoth plants the bomb outside of Gatewood's office window, only to discover that it is a smoke bomb.  Analysis of the rifle reveals that is too is a dummy; the trigger is attached to a transever, which bounces a coded signal from Mos Espa to Mos Entha, to Mos Eisley, to Bestine, to Tosche Station, before finally terminating in Anchorhead.

*Following the signal, the three discover that it leads them to a defaced statue of Emperor Nute Gunray; the statue seems to have a false bottom in the base.  Deciding to wait and see who shows up, the three have lunch at a cafe.  A couple of hours later, three B-1 Battle Droids arrive and retrieve a device from the statue.

*The droids return to their recharge station, where Captain Gatewood takes the device they found, then has their memories wiped.

*Mag, Fenn and Argoth, thoroughly confused now, decide to kidnap the Imperial officer.  They succeed in shooting him several times before he activates his other Battle Droids, then escapes with the "help" of Argoth, who later stuns him.

*Returning to Streen with Gatewood, Argoth meets back up with his companions.  Streen reveals that their task was a test to see if they would simply do as they were told, or if they would try to look deeper into what was asked of them.  They passed, and Captain Gatewood is revealed to be a Rebel Agent.  All three are welcomed into the Rebellion.