Log:Tatooine: Ripples in the Sand, Part 2

The Tusken captives are rescued by the most unlikely group imaginable.

OOC Date: May 30, 2022
Location: Tatooine
Participants: Fshmaw, Jallo Dara, Lilly, Nerys Greystorm, Uutkit as Self/GM

[ Uutkit (Uut)]

The Trio.. or however many of you there end up being, are kept inside one of the primitive yurts that the Sandpeople use as shelter. Constructed from bantha-bones, hides and whatever other material they can find, it offers at least a modicum of protection against the heat and beating sun of Tatooine. You are all kept inside during the day, and let out at night to stretch and see to whatever needs seeing. Food and water are adequate but hardly paletable... hubba gourd, black melon and whatever primitive foodstuffs the Sandpeople provide.. which is to say, not a lot. They are a spartan people, living in a spartan world.. where the line between life and death as sudden and abrupt.

[ Fshmaw (Fsh)]

Fshmaw, if nothing else, can entertain and amaze via "fephaaphe ifaavakev," distracting and misdirecting to delight and awe! It's... something to do. It keeps one busy. [Language: aqualish]

[ Fshmaw (Fsh)]

J9 Worker Drone - 24633 repeats after Fshmaw, "closeup magic,"

[ Nerys Greystorm (Nerys)]

Nerys, who had walked behind the banthas without protest, and had made no attempt to escape once they had untied her hands. most of her attention had been focused on making certain that Jallo and Fshmaw had received the care and healing that they required. Whether that was using her own supplies, if they had not been taken, or monitoring them when whatever had been offered to them by the tuskens had been given. With so little access to the camp itself, it was difficult to determine that precisely they were being kept for, or what the intentions of the tuskens might be.

[ Jallo Dara (Jallo)]

Jallo hadn't been doing too well from all the heat so when the Tuskan's collected them up he barely protested so now that he's a captive he does as he's asked constantly eyeing for a way to escape but he's doing his tasks as directed by the raiders without any fighting back because sometimes it's necessary to not fight back to survive captivity.

[ Uutkit (Uut)]

Overall, the treatment of the captives on the park of the Sandpeople has been.. as well as could be expected? At least they aren't making you dig for the black melons! Suddenly, the flap to the tent opens, temporarily blinding everyone inside as the bright sun shines through! Standing.. diminutively, in the entrance is what looks to be a young female Tusken, judging by her size and.. slightly more feminine attire, not to mention her bosom. Her face is concealed, like all the rest of her people, and she steps in, holding a small bowl filled with the group's ration of water for the morning. Each captive receives one black melon, and one hubba gourd... to sustain them for the rest of the day, until evening meals that is. She acts more wary and suspicious around Jallo and Fshmaw... Nerys seems to be someone she takes a little more time to make sure she is comfortable.

[ Fshmaw (Fsh)]

Fshmaw keeps his hands in view, moving slowly and deliberately to show he is no threat? He nods thanks for the melon and the gourd, wagering that nods are not the Tusken signal for 'please execute me early.'

[ Nerys Greystorm (Nerys)]

Nerys, eyes turning away from the brightness of the suns as the flap was opened, looked back once her eyes had adjusted, gesturing her thanks to the young tusken, and adding what words she had for this world, "Thank you." She made certain Fshmaw and Jallo were served first, before she accepted her own, returning the kindness offered by the young female as it was possible for her to do. There was, apparently, no animosity between Nerys and her, their, captors. [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Nerys Greystorm (Nerys)]

J9 Worker Drone - 24633 repeats after Nerys Greystorm, "Thank you."

[ Jallo Dara (Jallo)]

Jallo accepts his rations of food and water rations and offers a respectful bow of his head but he's extra careful not to make any rapid movements in the meantime, "Thank you." Of course he doesn't expect that she'd understand him but the intent is there.

[ Uutkit (Uut)]

The young Tusken female looks as if to want to speak more to Nerys, but she is interrupted in her attempts to communicate by a harsh sound from outside. A male Tusken arrives at the entrance, barking at the young female and gesturing to the captives. It's clear their well-being has been placed in the young girl's hands, as it were, and the older male is inquiring as to their health and status. The girl responds as best she can, pointing at Fshmaw and Jallo, and then Nerys. Each gets a little description of themselves, to which the older Tusken nods his understanding. There is a guttural growl, the Tusken pointing at the shadow cast on the ground.

The young female nods in understanding, turning to Nerys. The older Tusken departs, leaving the girl to explain. But.. she can't really, as no one understands her! Luckily, the sandy floor provides a willing canvas! With a finger, she begins to draw.... making a little 'encampment' of tents, to begin with where they are currently.

[ Nerys Greystorm (Nerys)]

Nerys, looking away from the young girl, watched the interaction between the older male and the younger female, but again, she made no move to demand her freedom or to seek it. It was clear, or perhaps it could be surmised, that they were required for something, else why would a desert people have bothered to heal their hurts or use their limited supplies to keep them alive. When the young female turned back to them, and moved to use the sand as a cnavas, Nerys turned her attention to what was being drawn. Maps. She could manage maps.

[ Fshmaw (Fsh)]

Fshmaw merely watches in an attempt to understand, or gather known facts. Any knowledge that might help them emerge 'later, still alive?'

[ Uutkit (Uut)]

The captives are held inside one of the Sandpeople tents, with a young female Tusken trying to explain.. the situation. Once she has the camp drawn, she makes larger circles, roughly in the areas where Mos Eisley, Mos Espa.. and the major settlements are, drawing thin lines between the camp.. which is fairly centrally located.. and the settlements. She then, crouches down, pulling her cloak up over her head... making a little squeaking sound.

What she means is... clear enough to those with some knowledge... as in the distance, from outside the tent, the rumble of machinery can be heard. The squeaking, creaking grone of some ancient behemoth, lumbering closer.

And, in the cockpit of the Sandcrawler, is Uutkit! Who has brought Lilly along as well! The clan of Jawas are making a beeline for the Tusken camp, for treasures and trade!

[ Nerys Greystorm (Nerys)]

Nerys nodded, as she marked the map that was being drawn, paying close attention to the distance between each of the towns. There was a frown, as the young female drew her cloak up, but as Nerys lifted her head, her ears picking up on a sound that was neither the desert nor the tuskens, she nodded. "A sandcrawler. Perhaps we might have a translator after all. If they don't sell us for parts." It was still an unknown just exactly what a jawa was willing to sell. or buy. "Borgol won't be happy, but at least they have plenty of salvage, if they decide to take the speeder and its cargo." [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Nerys Greystorm (Nerys)] J9 Worker Drone - 24633 repeats after Nerys Greystorm, "A sandcrawler. Perhaps we might have a translator after all. If they don't sell us for parts. Borgol won't be happy, but at least they have plenty of salvage, if they decide to take the speeder and its cargo."

[ Lilly (Lilly)]

Lilly is there with the other Jawas, standing out in her uniquely Pink robes. But other then the color and style being more feminine all that is visable of her face is her glowing golden eyes with gloves and boots. She is talking to the other Jawas in their language for now.

[ Jallo Dara (Jallo)] Jallo watches a bit as the map gets drawn but settles back down to look over at the others and shrug, "A translator would be handy for sure. And the Hutts are rarely happy but you're right. He wouldn't be happy with the loss of his rations and cargo."

[ Fshmaw (Fsh)] Fshmaw shrugs? "kosa othag ghevaethie oorhih fadewaetoo yghiemearhy yfesopae yvafarhit zoos yghiemearhy." [Language: aqualish]

[ Fshmaw (Fsh)] J9 Worker Drone - 24633 repeats after Fshmaw, "We ended the threat of further raids from that group."

[ Uutkit (Uut)]

Uutkit waits until the Sandcrawler is parked just next to the Tusken's encampment, gesturing for his fellows. "Come come, this camp always has the best things to buy... just don't ask where they got it." Pretty standard stuff for Jawas, but it doesn't hurt to remind everyone! The jabbering, giggling Jawas gleefully lower the ramp of their Sandcrawler, the tiny horde of cloaked figures emerging to begin inspecting all the goods they have! Uutkit motions Lilly forward, "Go see.... what else they have." he gestures, pointing to the large male Tusken from earlier.

The female Tusken growls and gestures for the captives to stand and come outside... leading them.. predicatably, to the older male tusken who is there to.. negotiate, for their release to the Jawas.. and Lilly in particular. [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Uutkit (Uut)]

J9 Worker Drone - 24633 repeats after Uutkit, "Come come, this camp always has the best things to buy... just don't ask where they got it. Go see.... what else they have."

[ Nerys Greystorm (Nerys)]

Nerys, hearing the sandcrawler approach nodded to Fshmaw, "That is true. Unless that gang was never going to be a problem for the tuskens to begin with. We encountered them nowhere near the edge of the city where they attacked us." It was good to be hopeful, better to be honest. As the young female gestured for them to rise, Nerys did as instructed, moving out of the relative dimness of the tent into the bright sun of the day. She did not replace her helmet, deciding, perhaps, simply to manage as she was, as she made her way towards where the male tusken was standing, waiting for them. [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Nerys Greystorm (Nerys)]

J9 Worker Drone - 24633 repeats after Nerys Greystorm, "That is true. Unless that gang was never going to be a problem for the tuskens to begin with. We encountered them nowhere near the edge of the city where they attacked us."

[ Fshmaw (Fsh)]

Fshmaw *huffs* a sigh, straightening his shirtsleeves (probably filthy anyway) and prepares to look like a desirable 'purchase,' or cut of meat, or... who knows. If any one of them could temporarily impersonate a 'droid for the purposes of escape, it was indeed the walrus-man!

[ Jallo Dara (Jallo)]

Jallo just shakes his head, "I doubt the gang was much of a danger to the Tuskens. Most likely we're just the victims of wrong place wrong time on that one. However it might help with the Hutts and their supply chain which would benefit us in the long run if we get out of here in one piece."

[ Lilly (Lilly)]

Lilly makes her way to the older male tusken, looking over the captives as if she is sizing them up with emotionless glowing golden eyes. "Is this the only goods you got," she questions. She might be poking at the captives to make it convincing she is looking them over while seeing whatelse the sand people have. [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Lilly (Lilly)]

J9 Worker Drone - 24633 repeats after Lilly, "Is this the only goods you got,"

[ Uutkit (Uut)]

The tusken male nods, gesturing to the group. Just the three! Well, there was a wounded Weequay, but he's on his own journey. The Tuskens allow Lilly to poke and prod as much as she likes, but they stiffen slightly as Uutkit approaches. The senior Jawa, as it were, is able to communicate with the Tuskens through hand gestures, grumbling in their native language before pointing at the group. The Tuskens and Uutkit have a brief chat, before Uutkit looks to Lilly, "See if any of them are mechanics, we need a hand with our engines a little... the rest.. well.. Borgol will pay enough of a reward.. and they lost some of the Hutt's cargo.. we'll sell that back to the Hutt at a discount... of course." [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Nerys Greystorm (Nerys)]

As Nerys was not the one negotiating, she did not move to try to get between the male Tusken and the approaching pink-clad jawa. At least she could understand the words that were being offered. And likely knew better than to protest being prodded. Who knows, perhaps Nerys was used to it. After all, not every space adventure ended in success and free drinks on a sail barge back to civilization. As the male, one would assume, jawa, as it was difficult to tell simply by voice, spoke, Nerys replied, "We have at least two mechanics between us." She didn't bother to mention that Jallo was better, by far, than herself. " There was no point in making the jawas angry by pretending she couldn't understand them. [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Lilly (Lilly)]

Lilly is discussing things with Uutkit. "That one there seems most useful, she can understand us," she says. She does not let one she actually can understand what the crew has been saying the whole time since she got here. She looks to the Male Tusken. "How much for the lot," she questions. Seeming to start the trade talks. [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Jallo Dara (Jallo)]

Jallo just lets the others talk because this is a language he never learned. So for the moment he trusts that Nerys has the best interest of all involved as she talks things over with the Jawas and Tuskens.

[ Fshmaw (Fsh)]

Fshmaw, too, sits patiently awaiting his moment, rather than attempt to pantomime various useful skills he possesses? But surely no one here is dumb enough to put their fingers anywhere near his tusks!

[ Uutkit (Uut)]

Uutkit frowns, looking up at the male Tusken. "Let's see..." he murmurs, waving his hands, making little gestures and grunting as he points to Nerys and the others. The response comes, Uutkit chuckling, "Free... the three here killed some Swoop racers that were harassing their bantha herds... so... I guess this is their version of repayment!" he laughs. Uutkit can't help but shuffle over to Nerys, looking her over carefully, "Mmm hmmmm.." he murmurs, clasping his gloved hands behind his back as he marches over to look up at Jallo. "This one... this one might fetch us a better price if we sold him to Borgol buuuut...." he snickers, "I think he'll do just fine if he can fix our overheating engines.... we just got the new Sandcrawler..." Of course, 'New' is an operative word here, "It'll be better if we can get that running... worth more than any number of credits." [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Nerys Greystorm (Nerys)]

"I am simply glad we can communicate," Nerys offered to the pink-clad jawa. Nerys, turning to look down (but not that far down. Smol Greystorm was smol) nodded as she listened to the jawa and his terms, such as they were, "We would be happy to make any repairs necessary for your sandcrawler to continue to serve you. I can't speak for the speeder or its supplies. They were intended for Borgol, but it seems the Tuskens have claim on that now. But our own possessions we would like to have back. Whatever credits you require for that, I will gladly pay it." [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Nerys Greystorm (Nerys)]

As Nerys spoke to the Jawa, she also took time to translate for Fhs and Jallo. "We would be happy to make any repairs necessary for your sandcrawler to continue to serve you. I can't speak for the speeder or its supplies. They were intended for Borgol, but it seems the Tuskens have claim on that now. But our own possessions we would like to have back. Whatever credits you require for that, I will gladly pay it."

[ Lilly (Lilly)]

Lilly makes no comment to Nerys looking to Uutkit with a small shrug of her shoulders as if to leave it up to his judgement. "Guess if they are really useless then we will find out shortly," she says. "Want to ask about the speeder and supplies and whatever else they had on them," she questions. [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Nerys Greystorm (Nerys)]

Nerys Greystorm says, "The tuskens aren't asking for payment for us, as we did save them from the gang who was bothering their bantha herds, and they're negotiating on the rest of the speeder and cargo we had with us."

[ Jallo Dara (Jallo)]

Jallo nods a bit, "And our equipment and gear? I'd prefer not having to explain why Jawas or Tuskens have my armor. Blasters can be replaced easier."

[ Nerys Greystorm (Nerys)]

Nerys Greystorm says, "The mandalorian is concerned in regards his armor. It is a a part of him." [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Fshmaw (Fsh)]

Fshmaw *sets* the contents of his own wallet on the bargaining-pile, amounting to a miscellaneous 100 or so in sticks and chits. If it helps to get the group their gear back, so much the better.

[ Uutkit (Uut)]

LUCKILY, Uutkit speaks Tusken fairly well.. and as such can get a better price.. or, well, ANY price, for the goods! After some furious gesturing with the Tusken, he nods. "They'll trade some of our refined scrap, and water containers.. for the speeder and its cargo.. they think it's worthless.. and to be fair, it is.. to them." he shrugs, shaking his head. Uutkit listens as Nerys and Jallo talk about their equipment, the Jawa quickly negotiating its release as well. "Of course..." he points.

The captive's equipment has been stored beneath some blankets, keeping out the sun and sand, "You can retrieve them.. the Sandpeople do not trust outsiders with weapons in their camp..." he explains, nodding along. "Just make sure they are stored safely, we don't like powerful weapons in our Sandcrawler... too much." [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Lilly (Lilly)]

Lilly seems not to really care about getting any of their items back for she makes a less the convincing argument to negotiating the return of the gear. Even after told how much it means to some of them. So Thankfully Uutkit saves the day. She shrugs lightly and looks to Uutkit what to do next

[ Nerys Greystorm (Nerys)]

Nerys waited watching the interactions between the jawas and the tuskens, eyes glinting as she tried to pick up what nuances she could of the negotiations that were being put together between the two desert races. And then she nodded, "Thank you. I appreciate that you made sacrifices so that we would not be left without." Turning to Fsh and Jallo, Nerys continued. (basic) 'We are free to retrieve our gear and weapons, but the jawas have isntructed us to keep all of our weapons peace-bound while we are in their company.' [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Fshmaw (Fsh)]

Fshmaw obeys orders, shaking the dust off his ornate purple suit without brandishing any of the (several) small knives or pistols concealed on him. They all stay put, ceremonially tied off.

[ Uutkit (Uut)]

Uutkit nods to Lilly, "Alright, let's... get the cargo loaded. Make sure these people have their things.." he speaks, completely forgetting that Nerys understands him, "And get them settled aboard. The rest of us will load the speeder and whatever cargo we can carry.. we'll bring it all to Borgol's Palace and these people can... do what they like. The mechanic can fix our engines later, of course." [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Jallo Dara (Jallo)]

Jallo nods towards Nerys before he starts to retrieve his arms and armor fitting each piece of the armor in place and latching it down, returning the weapons to their holsters before he slings the the jetpack onto his back the maglocks setting it in place, "As long as the weapons aren't needed they'll remain holstered."

[ Lilly (Lilly)]

Lilly nods in understanding motioning the captives to get their thing and seeing they makes their way to the sandcrawler. "Come now, make it quick," she tells Nerys mainly as she is the only one able to understand them. "If you forget to grab something, that is on you," she says. "The weapons better be keep holstered," she says directly at Jallo, motioning in a rather more meaningful gesture (fixed) [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Nerys Greystorm (Nerys)]

"We have no intentions of causing trouble for you or yours," Nerys offered to the jawa who addressed her, "You have made a good trade for us. Our release for repairs to your sandcrawler. We will not disrespect that trade or your home. The repairs that are needed will be completed, as agreed." As Nerys moved to retrieve her gear, she kept a weather eye on their possessions, so that nothing was left behind, 'Make sure we have everything we came with. We won't be coming back.' Once she had all that she had come with, nerys moved back towards the pair of jawas, "I am ready. If you will lead the way." [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Fshmaw (Fsh)]

Fshmaw, hands visible at his sides at all times, stays between Nerys and Jallo in line. He may, however, bow gratefully to the Sand People before 'the handoff,' as it were.

[ Uutkit (Uut)]

Uutkit waves the entire group over towards the Sandcrawler! Including the J9 Worker Drone! 'Utini!' he calls, leading them over to the mechanical behemoth. Uutkit wheezes a little as he climbs up the ramp, "Been... too long.. since i've.. climbed these..." he mutters, wishing he were back at his simple market stall, Sandcrawlers are soooo much work! The other Jawas busy themselves with carrying up the cargo, dragging in the damaged speeder and using one of the cranes mounted atop the Crawler to hoist the Skiff up, setting it atop the Sandcrawler, lashing it down securely. Once inside, Uutkit makes a brief headcount, waiting until everyone is loaded before waving to one of his fellows. "Ok! Close the door! We'll start heading to Borgol's Palace!"

The doors of the lumbering crawler had barely closed before the engines were started.. one sounded noticeably... sick, coughing and sputtering to life before the whole craft began to shake, the treads biting into the sand as the Sandcrawler begins lumbering off towards its destination! [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Nerys Greystorm (Nerys)]

Nerys nodded, as the jawa began to herd everyone back towards the sandcrawler, eyes moving first to Jallo and then to Fshmaw, "I don't imagine the crawler will be air conditioned, but it's a heck of a sight better than being roasted alive under the sun." The sound of the crawler brought a frown, "I say we get started sooner rather than later." And then she was off, stepping up onto the ramp and into the crawler. Time to get to work.

[ Jallo Dara (Jallo)]

Jallo Dara shakes his head just a bit as he listens to the sick dying sound of the engine, "I can't stand the sound of a machine dying like that. Have they never oiled it? I can't promise to make it run like new but I can at least make it sound like it's not a dying calf."

[ Fshmaw (Fsh)]

Fshmaw nods agreement. If anything, he's got the J9 looking for any available scrap of cloth or leather to use as a fan. Got to keep the group cool!

[ Lilly (Lilly)]

Lilly is overseeing that everything is loaded onto the sandcrawler, double checking before she is the last up the ramp with a quick little shuffle. She keeps the closest eyes on the newly rescued captives. She does offer them some water though, so nice. "Most likely has not been well maintained in sometime," she tells Jallo in clear basic once in the safety of the sandcrawler.

[ Uutkit (Uut)]

Uutkit frowns slightly at Jallo, "Stop with those negative waves! Have to be helpful, and positive!" he waves his arms in the air, "Bad luck to say negative things!" he sighs, shaking his head, "But yes, it does need some.. attention.... all my engineers are experts on droids and starships... these old engines.. not so much." He says, speaking over the dull rumble of the engines. Secondly, the Sandcrawler has been heavily modified for Jawas, the walkways and doors are all Jawa-sized, so, mind your head! "Lilly can take you below to see, if you like." he nods to the pink-clad Jawa, "Have him fix the engines while I.. go up to the bridge." he says, wandering his way towards the bridge, Fshmaw and Nerys are welcome to follow! [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Nerys Greystorm (Nerys)] Nerys, having replaced everything in her pack, and neatly stored away anything she would not need, retrieved a toolkit from her backpack, "Jallo, they will show you to the engine so that we can get started on the repairs, I'll head up top to see what I can make of the systems and controls. We might be able to work in tandem to get the work done." And then she nodded to the jawa, moving to follow him up to the bridge.

[ Nerys Greystorm (Nerys)] Nerys Greystorm says, "We'll get started as soon as possible. With luck, we'll get it repaired before or just after we make it to the palace."" [Language: Jawa_Trade]

[ Jallo Dara (Jallo)]

Jallo nods, "So to the engines I go." He glances over at Lilly, "And you speak basic how delightful. Are you going to lead the way for me or shall I be following somebody else?"