Ghost In The Machine

I ran Star Wars instead of D&D today, with Rod, Rob and Carson. Although I don't quite feel caught up with the current rule books, I normally don't have a problem putting together a Star Wars story. The main thing the group accomplished was to gather some juicy information. So it's Episode 6.2 and the Emperor's body is dead, but his spirit has possessed the computer/data world of Byte II. He still has direct contact with his moffs and admirals, and can take over any computer system anywhere. Through pure force of will, Palpatine's computer ghost made an example of a disobedient Star Destroyer by shutting everything off, killing most of the crew just to make his point and continue his domination over the Imperial fleet. For being dead, he's more powerful than at the start of episode 6, except that he is once again looking for an apprentice. Though it's still a work in progress, it has become obvious no clone body can contain his giant psyche. He also has a god complex, and his fleet has started chipping away at Hutt space. The party are now posing as agents for the Empire, electronically at least.

Dobbo the Hutt beefed up the party's ship with extra laser turrets, shields, electrified plating (vs. zero-g troopers) and fuel scoops (useful when you come out of hyperspace near a gas giant). The group picked up a powerful computer wizard at Byte II when they saved him from a compulsory mindwipe. Also, they ran cargo and passengers, did some asteroid mining, and rescued 50 people (by auction) from a world at the fringe of Hutt space from the Empire. Mostly, the characters are using skills instead of guns to accomplish their goals right now, but it's unlikely to stay that way. The Emperor popped up on the viewscreen after the ship was infected with an Imperial virus, and demanded that Pieda locate an appropriate apprentice and bring him back to Byte II, or come himself. Though initially stunned into likely compliance, the party was able to locate the virus and purge/reboot the ship's computer systems with backups, and pretend to disregard the demands.

Upcoming game sessions will be two Sundays from now, then the first Saturday in March, and then the first Saturday in April. I might update this entry again later.