After a long jorney of awkward silence, Awvoor's ship finally comes to a halt above Ord Mantell in the Bright Jewel cluster. Thick clouds cover the whole planet, which glow occasionally with pinkish cast from where you see it. You make your descent.

As you move through the cloud, the planet reveals its odd looking civilization to you. As far as the eye can see, there is garbage nearly everywhere. In between the heaps of garbage there are city streets and buildings. The ship touches down in a cleared landing area. High above the whole thing are the clouds that cover the whole planet.

"'Tis a lot nicer than I remembered," the Rodian says as he looks out the window.

As you make your way out of the ship, you are greeted by several Republic troopers and their officer. "Hold it right there," the officer says, "we need to ask you few questions, and to search your ship."

"I be embasssador from Republic," Milix says after stepping up, "I demand you let me and massster Jedi passsss."

The officer looks at the Khil. "We will see about that," he finally said. "We will contact Coruscant but until then you will need to be detained."

Arrune was in the engineering bay of the ship, as normal, when they arrived in the system, she had visited the cockpit briefly to get the corps of her mandalorian friend jettisoned but had returned to her work soon afterwards.

She'd spent the flight carefully taking apart the combat droid to alsatian what was worth keeping, it would seem most of it as only her processor was damaged beyond repair. She had then spent some more time fixing up some Ord Mantell she had sorted everything and decided what she of the repairable systems, by the time they had arrived atcould do. She could fit the droid's flamthrower with the trigger and casing from a blaster rifle and fixed that shield generator on to her speeder to provide some limited protection. The combat suit can be salvaged and refitted once the jetpack had been removed and she could do a number more things.

She started work on the flamethrower by stripping a blaster rifle of it's casing, although she doesn't expect to have compleated the weapon by the time the reached the planets surface.

They had decided to the planet and Arrune had made her Way to the cockpit, things were not going well. They were on the planet, good, but they had attracted some attention, not good. What would they think if they boarded, what would they say!! This female Twi'lek had dragged the corps of a mandalorian on board with a combat droid, stripped them both and ejected the mandalorian into the orbit of the planet?

However true that might be she had the odd feeling it wouldn't cut it. Maybe they should just... no, this place was a treasure trove, loads of junk, a person like herself could make a fortune here.

Kate was quite tempted to tell Arrune off. If she had misplaced the scans or anything, not only would there be the possibility of someone replicating Kate's design, but it'd also be a simple matter for someone to look over her design flaws. Yet, at the same time, she knew why Arrune had done it. As much of a risk as it was, it was also a precaution... one that wouldn't have been taken if there wasn't a desire for protection.

So, Kate simply smiled.

"Thank you."

~~~

Kate truly didn't have any concerns upon the detainment. News of the attack by the Mandalorians likely had already spread, and so they needed to be sure that the ship was indeed only carrying refugees, and not harbouring any spies or other things. A matter of security, nothing more, and nothing less. She knew that all too well... security often compromised hospitality, at least under first impressions. That was something she knew as a prior-bodyguard. It would do no good to rush them, and would make her look bad as well. So Kate simply relaxed. Still, it wouldn't do any harm to be sure.

"This is just a security routine, correct?" Kate asked of the officer, "In any event, would you prefer us to wait on the ship until called for questioning, or is there another location that would be better?"

The officer looked at the droid in a bit of surprise and awe. He never would have thought a droid would be the first one to answer his inspection.

"Yes," he then said, "just a routine inspection. Take them all to a holding cell and take the droid to be... dismantled. You three start searching the ship. I want every corner searched and every panel opened. Make sure there is nothing hidden in there. I want to be notified as soon as you find anything suspicious."

His first orders were pointed at the four on his left, and his latter orders were meant for the three on his right. Including the officer, there were no more than eight Republic soldiers in the landing bay.

“Wait.”

Benjamin said the word calmly and even-toned. Addressing the officer, the Jedi continued, “Embassador Cardass has already said that he and I working for the Republic. Our diplomatic mission to Malachor V was sabotaged by the Mandalorians who attacked the planet. When the refugees of Malachor V fled their planet, Embassador Cardass welcomed them onto our ship.

“But the Mandalorians were relentless and also boarded the Embassador’s ship. Your brothers-in-arms fought with strength, seeking to defend the innocents from savage men. But the Mandalorians were too many to repel. With their lives they made a way for us, and some of the refugees, to flee for safety.

The Jedi continued their story by pointing out the Ithorian, “Doctor Umwow, who was providing peaceable aid to the people of Malachor V, served the Republic admirably by offering his ship as transport for the Embassador, that we might slip past the Mandalorian starfighters.” Pointing to the Wookiee, “Wrrlwarr is the Doctor’s bodyguard.”

“The others are refugees from the planet,” Looking at the Twi’lek, “This one, Arruna, is a technologist from the planet, who also fought alongside your brothers defending the Republic from her enemies.”

“And the droid,” pointing a Kate, “is a one-of-a-kind original – a gift to the Embassador.”

“Now that you have heard our fuller story, I would suggest to you an alternative to your plan.” The Jedi paused for a moment. “I suggest that you detain us, disarm us if you like. But do not dishonor the Embassador and those they risked their lives in service of the Republic by placing us in a holding cell.”

“Instead, why not hold us together, check the Embassador’s credentials. Check the Doctor’s credential. Check out the registration of his ship. If you’re unsure or doubtful after that, then let’s talk some more. Until then, let’s not be hasty. Searching the ship and dismantling the droid are definitely unnecessary at this time,” Benjamin looks back at the officer and finishes with, “and may put your reputation at risk.”

[OOC: Persuasion check perhaps?]

It was a bit surprised at the sudden treatment by the guards, but even more surprised by the Jedi's defense of his dignity.

"Officers, I must agree with my Jedi companion. This is a registered medical frigate - you should have received my registration when we docked, if not I can get it for you again. But this ship is full of very delicate and very expensive medical gear, all privately owned I might add.

The bacta room alone is worth more than 200 thousand credits, and would be ruined by such an inspection as you are suggesting. So check our credentials, but remember that we are indeed citizens of the Republic."

He didn't add the fact that there have been Hutt spaceports with less rigorous security - and there might be a few items of ill-repute aboard his ship. A full search is not what was needed at this point.

He shot a glance to the Rodian. Can't you help us out here? he thought nearly aloud.

Kate had to portray an image of surprise to her proposed dismantling. Since when did any droid need to undergo such a routine? Something was definitely amiss...

"... if you do under most dire circumstance have to so 'dismantle' me, I will have to warn you that there is a good likelihood that you will not be able to perfectly restructure my physical system." Kate stated quite clearly, "I was built a customized bodyguard droid. My flight system, in particular, is very complex; if one of my armour plates is set incorrectly, it could very well compromise the system. It would be easier for both parties if I simply gave you the details of my design. For reasons of security, I would also request that it not go beyond the eyes of the inspector; should my blueprints be published, it is possible that an offender could use it to find out any exploitable flaw, and thus jeopardize my function. Is this unsatisfactory?"

And I'm not about to let myself be deactivated by complete strangers, regardless of who they represent. I doubt they'd understand, but it's a very legitimate fear... There's almost no guarantee any stranger can give to me that they won't tamper with my programming or personality... Kate resolved internally.

Arrune thought it best to stay quiet, so hadn't been in such a situation before and it was most likely the trappings she had insisted on bringing that would cause them problems. She wasn't too impressed with the Jedi's excuse, it wouldn't explain why she had all the stuff on the ship.

She had heard that jedi can read minds though so she thought ot loud her response to his story as indignantly as she could.

Why am I just a refugee, I know I am but it'll never explain why I have all those droid parts in the ship or why there's the mandalorian armor. You could have said I'm Kate's mechanic or I work for you or the noble, that would explain in. You could tell him the mandalorian armor is being looked at for some weakness or something.

Listening to Benjamin's story, the Republic officer did not look swayed. "We have direct orders from General Markam," he said rather determined, "to search every ship and droid for anything hidden by the Mandalorians or the Krath. Therefor, we must dismantle the droid to make..." He didn't get to finish his sentance when Awvoor started talking.

Although he looked rather annoyed, there was a word in Awvoor's speech that obviously caught his attention. Credits.

When the Ithorian stopped talking the officer said nothing in response, and while Kate spoke her mind the officer calculated his options.

"Now, looke here," he said, "I don't want to disobey direct orders, and I certainly don't want to let some spies through our standard inspection. Although you make a persuasive arguements, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do. These sort of ispections are more expensive than most people realize, and I put a lot of work into the paperwork. If I perhaps had something more 'solid', I might be persuaded to skip directly to the paperwork. What do you say? Sounds like a deal?"

Ah, this was more her territory. She wondered if Kate had been recording the conversation, she wished she had been. She also wondered if they wanted credits or trade goods and how willing the Jedi would be to replace her speeder if she had to part with it, she didn't know how much they should offer as it was tricky. If too much was offered then it could backfire, if too little was offered then it wouldn't work.

"What are we talking sir? Credits or goods?"
She waited for a response for the trooper before continuing.

"How much of an offer would we have to make, I'm sure an official like yourself would demand a high amount."

"Look around you," the officer responded cynicly, "do you really think I am in any need of more junk? All I need is little something for my hard work of doing that paper-work."

Oh! Republic! Benjamin lamented to himself. How far you have fallen!
The suggestion from the officer that an Embassador and a Jedi ought to bribe their way through an inspection… The times are truly dark…
The Jedi guardian could feel the angry and indignation welling up inside of him. The sure knowledge that he could bend the Force to his will and send the officer and his troops sprawling planted itself in his mind for a moment…

Almost like a reflex, he could feel the power of the Force gathering around him, drawn by his will..

tempting him…

urging him…

No… Benjamin resisted. No! The Jedi could feel the tension in his hands noticeably release, the drawn energy beginning to dissipate.

Benjamin remained silent as negotiations continued surrounding the “payment” needed to secure the “proper paperwork”. Between the Twi’lek, the good Doctor, and the Embassador, he was sure something could be “sorted out”.

This was risky, Arrune had little idea about how much a Republic customs official would need to be bribed. She had always managed the right amount when getting the permit for her speeder but she was able to be non-specific, if the person thought your weren't too sure about how much to offer then he knew to help you out.

"I only have a thousand credits on me, most of my belongings were left on Malachor V. Maybe one of my friends here could help if a thousand isn't enough."
All this time she was using her experience at the university of life to smooth talk the man, not that what she said wasn't particularity small talk but how she said it and her body language attempted to manipulate him to take the bribe.

(Persuasion check probably)

And if this doesn't work then she was busy summoning her knowledge of bureacracy idiots and their stupid protocol in case that will help the situation.

(Knowledge (Bureacracy) check in the chance it might help)

How much to offer, and how much they would want and take without arousing suspicions... two unknowns variables, with no reference constants.

It is a gamble Kate thought to herself, Unfortunately, my logic drive isn't suited towards gambling right now...
She had never done anything such as bribery before. True, while she may have been a bodyguard for an individual that was outside of the law, she herself had never done anything unlawful; it would just be too bothersome to hide, especially as a droid, whose memory could be either accessed or hacked if the circumstances allowed for it.

Yet... at the same time, Kate couldn't help but wonder about this situation... the request to dismantle her in particular was extremely bizarre; although she was human-sized, her internal components took up so much of that space that it would be impossible to smuggle an individual within her. Not to mention, her internal storage could easily be displayed without the requirement of her being taken apart. It was only enough room for her vibroblades and a few computer datacards anyway. What those cards held wasn't even illegal; most of them were just backup copies of her numerous systems files. The other one was a set of system files with suggestions and advice and illogical drives for gambling.

Although it wasn't usually the nature of droids to have intuition, Kate's intuition kept telling her something was amiss. Unfortunately for her, she had no internal comlink, nor did anyone else probably have a comlink to connect to, and outright conversation was too risky. Conflicted, without a visible course of action, Kate simply stayed still, unmoving and unspeaking.

The officer looks at Arruna as she speaks her offer of 1,000 credits. He then grins slyly and rubs his chin. "Well," he then says, "that is a generous offer, but I am afraid that I would need a little bit more than that. Doing all that paper-work is not at all as easy as you think."