Re Lacks (OTA)

[out_of_order]

WHO: Cal Kestis, BD-1 and you!
WHERE: Around Risa
WHAT: Exploring
WHEN: Duration of Risa vacay? or at least the beginning of it
WARNINGS: N/A although always open to potential happenings with his psychometry



Real beds are amazing. Cal would have to admit to that. If there's one thing he supposes he doesn't mind about the place, it's how comfortable the sleeping arrangement is. The pallets they used to sleep in back during his days at the Jedi temple were no comparison. He has to be careful not to get too used to things here, especially knowing that it's probably only a brief reprieve from whatever the Agrii expect of them.

All the more reason to make the most of things, and the padawan's certainly intending to. He wanders without his beaten poncho, the climate reminding him of Kashyyyk, although notably without giant creatures threatening to eat you alive. It feels like it's been a long time since he's even been around an active world and a people at peace, and he's not unwilling to bask in it a bit. While he's still slightly wary, he can sense that the locals are sincere in being welcoming, and the assistance and guidance they offer is most appreciated.

A Jedi padawan may not know how to really take a vacation, but wandering and seeing the sights is perhaps as close a thing as one can get. While he may not go for a swim at the beach he might be found just taking in the scenery, or sitting somewhere to meditate while his droid plays around making tracks in the sand or scans things.

Replicators have definitely captured his attention, and it's what he and BD-1 spend much of their time figuring out. The little droid's helpful in providing data and specifications for at least some of the things Cal can think of that he's missing. He's quick to replace the tool he'd had since Bracca, one he hopes might come in handy for fixing things around Temba if not just to have on hand in case his droid buddy or any of the others might need a tune-up. It's at BD-1's suggestion that he also gets some internal components made, not for droids, but for a lightsaber. He's not sure if he'd even have something to power one if he were able to make one from scratch, but in the end he supposes it can't hurt to have something on hand, even though just thinking about what had happened to his master's lightsaber still makes his chest ache.

And then there are the cliffs. Galartha's shifting rockface seems to hold some odd draw for Cal. Maybe one will find him as he decides to take on the challenge, making his way up with BD-1 on his back. Arm days are something he's never skipped on Bracca, that's for sure.

Certainly there will be some time spent on the available computers, because it just seems the most reasonable thing to do when you're on an unknown planet. It's a little distressing not finding anything relating to any part of the known galaxy- his known galaxy, but it doesn't stop Cal and his droid buddy from soaking up what information they can.

((OOC: Feel free to find him in any of the above mentioned or wildcard it! :D))

Comments

sort of a wildcard

[stabgremlin]

Vacations weren't something Cipher Nine was used to at all. And given that sometime, perhaps, during his last vacation, he had been primed for his brainwashing. Or at least, he thought that was when it had happened, anyway. Still, he supposed it was nice, being somewhere without a storm, without any apparent danger hanging over their heads.

He'd spent some of his time researching at the computers, finding nothing he found especially important to know.

And so, he'd ended up wandering off, doing his own thing. Getting an outfit that suited the hotter weather, trying out different foods, trying new drinks.

Today though, today, he was wandering the markets.

Buying things that caught his attention.

He'd been looking at some different knives when he spotted someone that was not like all the locals around. While not quite a friendly guy- definitely not at all a friendly guy- it definitely caught his attention and he ducked past friendly helpful natives to make his way up to the stranger, "Now here's a guy who's as unfamiliar with vacations as I am."

He looked him up and down then, and hummed, correcting himself; "More unfamiliar with vacations than I am. Just looking around, or hoping to pick up supplies?"

[out_of_order]

Oh, Cal was certainly out of his element. It had been easier blending in on Bracca, being one of the faceless workers who scrapped old ships under ever watchful Imperial eyes. Here, he was basically a lost tourist, definitely not dressed for the climate but not seeming to mind too much.

The marketplace was definitely distracting, but the fact that he found himself with unexpected company didn't completely slip past him, and he took it in stride, although not quite without a bit of a double-take. He'd seen the Chiss on the network and been more than a little reluctant to address him for the whole Imperial matter. But it became clear that at least this agent didn't seem to be familiar with him.

"Yeah..." he replied carefully, trying not to frown at the man's assessment. It wasn't like he could argue that point, so he moved on to the questions. "A little of both. Can't hurt while we're here, right?"

[stabgremlin]

"Can't hurt, no. Assuming we get to keep it all when the Agrii decide we've rested long enough."

Aden hoped they would- after all, he'd gotten himself quite a few knives, and if he had to downgrade to making shivs when they all went back, he'd probably be quite annoyed. It wouldn't be too much of a challenge, but he definitely preferred his knives a bit sturdier than that.

"Any supplies you're particularly interested in then?"

He had to ask- mostly making conversation with someone he knew was in the same situation as him, but also partially doing what agents normally did- gather information.

Aden supposed that while one could indeed take the agent out of the Empire, there was no guarantee that the agent was able to leave his training behind. He certainly couldn't.

[out_of_order]

He couldn't say that the thought hadn't crossed his mind, but Cal still wanted to try. And if what they brought back could help with the Agrii's broken city, then why would they object?

"Things that might be useful," he replied. "Tools, maybe some clothes." Something with a better fit than whatever could be salvaged from the random assortment in the crates he and Teddy had looked through back on Temba. BD-1 hooted behind him and Cal nodded, smiling briefly at the reminder. "Medical supplies." Stims would be useful. Both he and BD had been upset to find that their precious few had gone missing. The Agrii certainly were particular about what they brought along with them.

"What about you?"

[stabgremlin]

Tools, clothes. Medical supplies. How very rational, and useful. Not that Aden was all too different, having a very clear idea of what he needed.

"About the same," He said, his attention shifting to the droid, brows going up.

"He yours, then?" The agent asked, gesturing to the droid, "Interesting design. I've seen similar ones before, but-"

He reigned himself in, shaking his head. A bit too eager, he supposed. Aden quite liked droids- that weren't the amoral machine he'd gotten stuck with on Belsavis- but still. No reason to startle or frighten the two.

"Not a creeper nor a droidnapper, by the way. Bit of a droid enthusiast, though. I've built a few of my own, before."

[out_of_order]

That was fair enough. Cal hoped that others of their plight were like-minded, or at least didn't get too carried away with the break to forget where they'd have to return to. He nodded at the agent.

"My friend," he replied, and really couldn't think of the droid as anything less. "This is BeeDee-One. I'm Cal." He was still cautious, but neither he nor BD-1 reacted adversely to the man's enthusiasm. Cal even smiled a little, if crookedly, at the admission.

"Good to know on both counts. I've never built any myself, but I know enough to fix them." Or give them handy upgrades.

[stabgremlin]

"Pleasure to meet you both. Cipher Nine," Aden said, holding a hand out to Cal for a handshake- Risa's pleasantness compared to Agra 10 was doing wonders for his mood, so he really saw no reason not to be polite. Though perhaps that was a result of his training too, being able to cycle through many different masks.

"I've built and programmed droids before- good way to keep one's mind occupied, really."

Which he needed. More now than he did before. Luckily, he'd still had his datapad on him when he arrived on Agra 10. They'd been that kind to him, at least.

"None of my droids ended up as cute as him though."

[out_of_order]

BD-1 trilled in greeting as Cal managed not to hesitate too much as he reached out to complete the handshake. "Cipher Nine," he nodded, a brow arching but he voiced no questions regarding the name given.

"I haven't done so much building as taking things apart, myself," he admitted with a shrug. On the side he was still watching for cues of recognition, but thus far the Chiss had not shown any such signs. From another Empire then? At least he was aware that such was a possibility.

He had to laugh though, even as BD-1 wiggled where he perched. Being called cute wasn't often a compliment the droid received. "Well don't let him fool you, he'll jump in and pick a fight with something several times his size if he finds reason to."

[stabgremlin]

"I'm sure you'll have time to learn here. Nothing but time, no?"

Aden wasn't sure himself, what he'd be doing with the abundance of time. Be himself? Who was that, though. Agent, double agent, triple agent. It was more than a little irritating to realize, but Watcher X's words were ringing quite true.

One thing Aden knew for sure, was that he was not meant to be anyone's savior.

"Isn't that charming though?" He asked, about BeeDee's tendency to jump into a fight with something several times larger, "Small things with just the right amount of teeth when the going gets tough?"

[art_of_war]

Thrawn was intensely uncomfortable with the muggy climate. As they had no evolutionary need, Chiss do not sweat and therefore do not regulate their own body's temperature. Thrawn's hair had come loose when it got too humid for the minimal product he used on it. He had shed the distinctive white jacket and instead wore a black tank top.

it has been a long time since he chose to rock climb. Nevermind doing it for athletic enjoyment. He crouched on a ledge above Cal and watched his progress thoughtfully.

"You are dropping your shoulder when you use your left hand. Actively compensate for that and your hold will be stronger."

[out_of_order]

Having someone giving him pointers was a bit of a surprise. Perhaps more so was it a surprise because this was an entirely different Chiss altogether whom Cal found to be watching him. He found some odd amusement in that, having never seen a single one before and then under such unusual circumstances they just suddenly seemed to come out of the woodwork.

The padawan shifted according to Thrawn's suggestions, levering himself up for the next handhold once he'd gotten a firmer grasp with his left. "-huh, thanks..! That did make a big difference," he said once he'd planted his foot into a suitable crevice to steady himself better.

"You do this sort of thing often?"

[art_of_war]

"Not exactly."

But Thrawn definitely aware of his surroundings. Sometimes a little too aware since his mostly accurate observations still caused some friction. Being maddeningly right all the time did not often make one popular.

Thrawn observed the close-cropped hair and singular braid that would mark this young man as a Jedi in the galaxy he came from. Chiss minds were opaque in the Force But if Cal had already met 2 Chiss he would likely know that. Though it was vague, Thrawn's mind was very ordered, very focused on detail, like a mathematician.

"I assume that you come from Agra-10 as well."

[out_of_order]

Cal wasn't a formal cliff climber himself. While certainly he'd learned to adapt to situations, to climb and leap in simulated terrains in a training room was not the same as a cliff face. Even scaling gratings and dangling from construction beams and machinery on Bracca was more a matter of just trying not to fall to one's death while trying to get from one place to another.

But perhaps the key thing was adaptability, and indeed while climbing an ever shifting cliff, one had to be aware of their position and their surroundings all the more. Doing it for...possibly fun? The padawan wondered if it was, but then he couldn't say he wasn't enjoying himself a little.

"Okay then..." he commented, focusing on where to place his hand next as his eyes scanned the area before him. There was a bit of a gap between where he was and the next best looking spot, but he was sure he could grab it if he risked a slight jump. Provided it didn't disappear on him during the attempt.

"Yeah, pretty obvious, huh?" It wouldn't have been hard to pick him out as a tourist either way, given he wasn't dressed for weather, and even though he still had his scrapper harness on, little point it made without anything attached to it to secure him from a fall.

And then there was the little droid clinging to his back, continuously watching the cliff and his friend's progress when he wasn't glancing up towards the Chiss above.

[art_of_war]

The changeability of the cliff was why Thrawn had been more critical of Cal's hold rather than the terrain.

Cal's hair had grown out enough that others would very likely not noticed. The addition of the harness and the droid on his back told more about where Cal came from than he likely knew.

"I must admit that I am curious about why you would be making an effort to climb a shifting terrain."

[out_of_order]

Wedging his foot against the cliff face, Cal studied the area around the position he was going to try for next, in the case that something moved and he needed an alternative. He readied himself, finding himself smiling just a little at the Chiss's musings.

"Oh, you know. Thought it would be an interesting challenge-" He gave himself a push as he swung for the next handhold, grunting as his fingers curled around the rock and held enough for him to pull himself up high enough to secure his other hand nearby. "-keep on my toes." Vacation? What's that?

He watched as the cliff rippled above him, waiting before he resumed his ascent. "How long have you been on Agra 10?"

I figured that the days were twice as long so I divided by 2

[art_of_war]

That was actually a more complicated answer than Cal knew.

"The first time it was approximately 45 solar cycles, recently it has been 2 cycles. Do you often seek out tests of physical endurance?"

Aaah math! -that makes sense though.

[out_of_order]

Cal paused as he processed that, although he sensed that he wouldn't have too long to do so. He held off on responding if only so he could make a sudden move, hauling himself up towards a freshly shifted portion of the cliff, just before the part he'd been clinging to began to move and reshape itself as well.

"...you're one of the ones that was sent back and forth then," he observed. Again he moved, getting closer to the top, noting that the changing terrain was already warping again. "Not- really..." he grunted as he pulled himself up, making another grab to keep with his momentum.

He knew his fingers would close on air even before they actually did, but even that brief prescience didn't help for how abrupt it was, but it left him sorely off balance. His foot dug against the thin ledge it had found purchase, and the leap he made looked more out of desperation than the calculated risk that it was, at least to an untrained eye.

Cal grasped the edge of the cliff, the only sure thing he saw available, and not without a bit of a "boost" to his jump. Behind him, BD-1 hooted as he watched the space they'd just vacate suddenly smooth out. "Yeah... tell me about it," the padawan muttered as he swung his other hand up to join the first so he could begin to haul himself up to the top near where Thrawn watched.

"...sometimes... it just feels like I'm being tested," came his breathless reply.

Replicators

[beholding_archivist]

Jon has initially only read about the replicators on the database, yet found himself intrigued to try them out especially after learning that he can't get any cassette tapes on this planet. So he tried studying the database entry as much as possible in order to learn how to use these machines. Being a little inept with computers he didn't exactly wish to risk destroying anything.

And yet he found himself suddenly just knowing how they work on his way there. Which is nice enough in theory, but considering he has spent the entire previous night trying to actually make sense of what he could find written it still has him a little frustrated with his own ability to control these things.

When he arrives and gets an initial look at the replicators before approaching one somewhat hesitantly, Jon notices Cal, showing no signs of trouble at using them. That at least is reassuring.

"I take it they work as advertised." He muses aloud and takes his tape in hand, carefully opening the deck and removing the tape, feeling a little reluctant to drop it into the machine.

[out_of_order]

Cal glances up, smiling a little at Jon, and perched on his shoulder like an oversized parrot, BD-1 trills a greeting.

"They do," he says, holding up one of the tools he'd had made earlier, activating the welding spark to show it functional. "I think it's easier the more data you can provide for what you want to make."

The droid beeps at that, and Cal shifts his shoulder to give BD-1 a light bounce as he laughs. "Never complained about your habit of scanning things and don't intend to."

Both glance at Jon as he seems to be deliberating about using the machine. "What's that?" the padawan asks, giving a nod towards the cassette.

[beholding_archivist]

The strange tool Cal has had made causes Jon to blink, but to his credit he doesn't back away entirely from it. He mas no idea what it is, but he is sure he shouldn't try using it. He lets his attention be drawn to BD-1 and acknowledges the droid with a short nod. At least these are getting less and less disturbing to meet.

"Ah, yes. Apparently you can let it scan items as well. Which I... I hope it works on these." He raises the tape between his fingers slightly before Cal's question earns the Padawan a soft little chuckle "I assume tapes are even more outdated than they are on Earth." Turning slightly towards Cal, he lifts the item in question a little further into view "It's a cassette tape. A magnetic tape used for audio recordings." And he proceeds to tap the tape lightly against his recorder "With these. They only provide very limited storage capacity and aren't commonly used anymore, though."

And yet he still remembers growing up with these around. It's still strange how quickly technological development left them behind.

"I assume you're more used to digital recordings yourself."

[out_of_order]

"It's for repairs," Cal explains, given the look Jon had on his face. "If it doesn't prove useful in Temba, at least I can still be able to repair BeeDee if he ever needs it."

He looks on in curiosity as the man explains the objects in hand. He remembers him carrying around the recorder, but now it makes more sense as to what the other thing is. "Scanning items seems the next best thing, except none of the things I want to make are things I have on hand," he admits, smiling crookedly. "I guess I can see why you'd want to make more of those though. May I?" He nods at the cassette tape.

"Digital, yeah. Holorecordings are about the standard. BeeDee has those capabilities."

[beholding_archivist]

Jon will simply trust that Cal knows how to use such tools. But he remains an academic and his tools of choice for the time being will remain his recorder, tapes as well as good old pens and paper.

"Holorecordings." He echoes the term, then nods "Like the map of Temba you are working on. Still a few years in the future for Earth, I'm afraid. Though science fiction seems to play with the idea." Just that anything fictional has never truly been to his liking. Dull as it may seem, but Jon has always been much fonder of facts.

Cal's request for the tape earns him another short nod and he offers the item out to the young man. It's labelled Statement Risa #1, written in English.

"I have found one other source for them, but that is... A lot less reliable than plain replicating, I'm afraid. And no need to be overly careful. They are pretty sturdy."

[out_of_order]

"Yeah, kind of like that," Cal replies, nodding. He takes the tape with care regardless, turning it over in his hands, head tilting at the thin, shiny band that's threaded within the narrow housing.

"So if formats like this are outdated even where you're from, what's the current format? Digital, like you mentioned?" It seems to be something Jon's familiar with, at least. He finds it strange how the man can be both familiar with some things but completely unused to others. It must be an interesting world he's from. Well, save for the strange embodiments of fear, anyway.

Cal hands the tape back to Jon after letting BD-1 have a look as well, unsurprised that the little droid gets a quick scan of it. Even he has to wonder what all the droid has in his databanks these days. "Another source? How does that work?"

[beholding_archivist]

"Almost everything is digital, yes." Jon confirms and takes the tape back, only to place it in the replicator next and press a short sequence of buttons to initiate the replication process "But where I work... Not everything we have to record can be recorded digitally. Old-fashioned as they may be, these magnetic tapes have proven to be much more reliable." And also served him well as warning.

"As for that other source..." Jon trails off, taking a moment to look around the room, seemingly looking for something. Though without an actual result. So he gives a small shrug.

"Will you believe me if I tell you that recorders such as this one as well as different models tend to just... Appear? Out of nowhere? And start recording?" It's not an attempt to compel Cal, but in a way a rhetorical question.

"They have done that for a few years now. Back home, they remained around. We got used to it and one of my assistants threw out the amount that had amassed over two years at some point. But they kept coming and... We got used to them. Or... I got used to them, I guess. And I have seen a few around here as well. Though they seem to disappear once they are finished recording what they showed up for. I managed to get these, however." As he speaks, he pulls out two other tapes. Similar to the first, but different colors and symbols on them "They haven't disappeared yet." It's a small victory.

[out_of_order]

BD-1 clambers around Cal to his other shoulder as though he'd get a better view of the replication process from there once Jon puts the tape into place.

"Older models can sometimes be more reliable than newer ones," Cal agrees, knowing it didn't apply just for Jon's tapes, but it made sense. "And I can see the appeal of having something physical as a back-up."

The questions that Jon follows up with have him respond with a blink, but he wouldn't have asked if it wasn't something that's happened, strange as it may sound. "Really?" It does sound far-fetched, fascinating if not weird. "Do you know where they come from?" Or maybe 'who sent them?' is the real question.

He looks at the tapes that Jon produces then. "Do they have anything on them?"