Star Wars OPEN Elite League Limmie

IC: Geoff Copin
Goss-Pell Memorial Stadium, O’pahz, Carratos

Everything started fine, the crowd roared as the home team stepped on to the pitch, and their heads were high ready to continue the streak. Logan scored early off a cross pass from Vayan and the half backs held their line against a strong Bakuran attack. Rhodri picked up the ball and charged through the midfield. The half backs adopted the same stance as the game against Agamar playing more forward and moving into the middle with possession. This was to counteract the potent pair of Glencross and Pic. A drop kick to Leigh and the ‘All In’ got going. The Miners didn’t lose their cool and kept up with the fast passes made in the in front of Comstock. This time it didn’t matter Rime broke from Ward and put a shot to the top corner. Beanne pumped her fist slightly.

The counter came fast with Glencross putting a pass over the head of Mikia to Ronan, who’d gotten behind his marker. Jace kept to Fiesta but, Deenever got around Rhodri and left him in the dust. The backs couldn’t cover everyone and the powerful half back line was terribly out of position to defend. The Chiss and the Human had all the time in the world to pass back and forth looking for the perfect shot. Deenever, after spending way too much time in the offensive zone, put a scorcher into the back of the net. Geoff shook it off. It was just one misstep the Pirates would recover.

Then the unthinkable happened. Hervey picked off Leigh’s pass within the block of bodies created by the ‘All In’ the coach didn’t think it was possible. The passes were too quick too short for the defenders to get any more than a hand on the ball but, the rookie managed to get possession. The Korun moved like lightning with the other Miners back six to the midfield. The Pirates offense was too stunned by the interception to properly back check causing a tidal wave of blue and gold jerseys to come crashing down on Ponie, Rhodri, and Mikia. They could do nothing to stop it. The visitors quickly overwhelmed the defenders and slammed the ball past Qazi for another three points.

The offense looked a little dazed after the last play. They were caught flatfooted after that interception and didn’t transition fast enough. The score was tied now and the momentum was swinging the other way. Pic knocked down a pass from Marky and took possession. Poine moved up to challenge. Deenever got open and received the ball from the midfielder. Rhodri stayed on his mark but, Boutros moved out of position giving Zonka an open lane. With miles of room to play in he got a pass out of double coverage from his teammate and scored like it was nothing.

The play just got worse from there. Sloppy passes in the offensive zone were picked off for a quick rush. It seemed like the Miners had cracked the ‘All In’ and were taking it apart. Every time the Pirate offense would be late to transition allowing the half backs to be overrun leaving the shaky back line to try and stop the onslaught. Qazi faced shot after shot and stopped many but, some slipped through. Geoff felt the game getting away from them. He could see the cracks showing in the front six, they were getting frustrated unable to make a solid move. They’d been stymied before but the defense kept the score close in those games. Not true this time. The half couldn’t end soon enough, 18-6 the score heading into half time.

It was beginning to look like last season in the locker room. The defense was wiped and the offense was frustrated. It’d been a while since the team had been this bad off, not since the start of this season. Geoff couldn’t allow himself to fall back into the old way of thinking. He couldn’t not after coming so far. In the end this game wasn’t all that important. A loss here didn’t kill their chances of making it to the playoffs. That didn’t mean they were just going to roll over and die. They were going to fight like mad.

“Ok team,” He said getting their attention, “We are taking a beating out there but, this was expected. We can’t stay on top forever.”

“You want us to give up?” Marky asked a little out of breath from dealing with Glencross.

“SIth no, I want each and every one of you to fight hard, there’s a reason we’re top of the league. We are the toughest team here. We took our licks in the first season, got the better taste of failure stuck in our mouths. Now we’re the ones handing out the bitter pills. Did we get here by giving up?”

“No!” came the response from the room.

“Alright let’s get back on the pitch and show we still got some fight left in us, tell the Evil Empire that these Pirates aren’t going quietly. We are going to rant and roar and show them we aren’t the same team from the last time.”

The Pirates returned to the field with renewed zeal. Still committed to the ‘All In’ Gor followed Logan into the pack. The Human dumped back to the Nikto and broke to the right. Gor kept possession, cutting through the mess. He put a hard shot on the goal that was expertly stopped by Comstock. The rebound came out to Leigh. She made a quick cross to Logan who put the ball into the far side of the net. He lightly tapped his rookie teammate on the shoulder. They still had some punch left, and they would play this to the hilt.

The next play Mikia put a hard hit on Ronan. The Chiss’s interesting use of eyeblack gave him an intimidating appearance but, that didn’t seem to affect the rookie half back. Unfortunately the fumble was recovered was recovered by the Miner’s captain, and kept in the Pirates’ zone. What was affecting the half backs was being out numbered. The forwards were being beaten on the back check again and the backs were breaking under the pressure. Geoff looked to his new assistant coach. She had worked hard on the defense and to just see it collapse in her first game was tough, to her credit she kept a passive face.

The Miners continued running up the score despite the defense’s renewed efforts. Jace looked out of breath and Boutros seemed a little beat up. This was the most they had to face in a while but, the coach couldn’t swap them out for reserves. The Pirates were getting out played. Geoff had almost forgotten this feeling. With how well they’d been playing he started believing that his team was invincible, especially under the eyes of the home crowd. The Scallywags started singing ‘Deadman’s Chest’ another ancient spacer’s tune that they loved to use when the game seemed decided, it had been a good sign the last few games at home, this time an ill omen.

Ponie made a beautiful interception on a pass meant for Alesh. The former Miner was playing hard ball and kept her mark under wraps the whole game. The veteran defender had been quietly holding down the left side field all season. It looked like she was always meant to be a Pirate. Her tough take no prisoners attitude melded well with the defensive strategy. She wasn’t as flashy as her rookie teammate on the right side but, brought a steady, experienced hand to the back six, a hand that had two Galactic Cup rings on it and was making a run for a third.

Rime put another three points on the board midway into the second half. Not putting the home team even within striking distance but, something to show for effort. The clock was ticking down and Mikia just made good stop on Ronan forcing a turnover that was picked up by Gabby after a strong fight with Glencross. With everything left in her, the dark skinned midfielder blitzed through the middle and past up Leigh. She ran for the net but, cut half way. The Miner defense was caught out of place expecting a full rush giving the half back plenty of room to put a powerful turning kick into the high corner. A last act of defiance as the glorious Pirate’s streak went down in flames.

After the final whistle blew the Miners started celebrating their big win over the top team. No matter how many times he thought it Geoff still couldn’t believe that his young, inexperienced team was the clear leader in the league. Even with this loss things remained the same. This was just a stumble the universe’s way of keeping them humble. Hopefully that was all that was planned. Ponie walked to the middle of the field and embraced Comstock, a sign of continued affection. Just because they play on different teams doesn’t make them enemies. After the handshakes Geoff called Laura,

“Hey babe, got your tickets ready yet?” He asked.

“Yep we fly out a two days before the game. How’s your heart? You’re about to take on your home team.”

“We’ll see when we get there.” She was right this the next game was going to be hard on him, a civil war.

TAG: Trieste

 

GM Post
En route to Denon



"...it's really ridiculous. I mean, it's not like my brother is Commissioner of the galaxy's most profitable and influential field sport. And yet every time I call it's always,'Oh, did you hear what your brother did last week?' He's basically not much better than a security guard, believe it or not. A rent-a-cop," Fenrir Lokensgaard was telling the passenger in the seat next to him in the first class cabin of the ship headed from Agamar to Denon, "He doesn't even have a cool hat or anything. I'm not even sure he gets to use a blaster. He just has a stupid hammer. I have an army. He--"

The Commissioner's commlink started buzzing, much to the relief of his fellow passenger. "Excuse me, League business and all. Be right back."

Fenrir left his seat and went to a more secluded place for the conversation. After all, if this was a call about suspending someone, he didn't want to have that in public. Mainly because he would likely snigger at said player's stupidity for committing such an ill-advised act and Fenrir was smart enough to know that wouldn't be good to hear someone reporting on Limmie Today. The fact that the call was from his Deputy Commissioner made it rather likely that's what such a call would be about.

"Esther, just on my way to Denon....What?...Really?...That's just fantastic." This last bit was clearly sarcastic. "...They did?...They will?...How long?...They do realize that....Well yes, they might not care if we're happy about that....Well we can't allow that to happen obviously....No, no one's going to be happy about it but it's got to be done. Do what you have to on your end. I'll address the media immediately when we get to Denon....Keep me updated....What?...Well, that's an interesting idea....Do you think she'd do it?...We land in...four hours, so I'll need to know by then. Call me before then."

Fenrir returned to his seat. "Now where was I? Oh yes, I have an army. Well, not an actual army with the weapons kind. More of the administrative sort. Do you know how many beings work at the Elite League offices on Coruscant? Well, let's see. There's Larry, he's at the reception desk..."

---

The media was waiting for Lokensgaard at the spacepad. The news about the Storm had moved quickly and the judge's option for the League was certainly a limited time offer if ever there was one.

"Good evening," Fenrir said, "As you know, the bankruptcy courts on Euceron have placed the Euceron Storm into liquidation. Though the League is surprised and disheartened by this turn of events, we understand the court's logic and its interpretation of Euceron law. Because these are indeed liquidation proceedings, the League will move forward on the basis that the Euceron Storm will not exist in 280. However, should this assumption be incorrect, we will adjust accordingly. We expect clarity on this issue well before the start of the 280 season.

"In deference to the in-progress limmie season, the courts have extended the option to the League to operate the Storm for the remainder of the season, of which there are three more weeks in the regular season. Because the Storm have been eliminated from the playoffs, that is the total that the League expects such a commitment on our part would last.

"The Elite League has two options: to forfeit the remainder of the Storm's schedule against the Mecs, Packers, and Monarchs or to operate the team at our expense. The League has determined that the former would create a competitive imbalance.

"Accordingly, I have directed Deputy Commissioner Gondorf to file with the court to assume operational control over the Storm for the remainder of the season. Funds for the operation of the team will come from the League's discretionary funds. Whether replenishment of these funds by member teams is required will be discussed at the Board of Governors meeting during the offseason.

"In keeping with the court's assuming ownership of the Storm, the League has agreed with the court to appoint an interim general manager, replacing Aebett Zargana, for the remainder of the season to ensure that the League's funds are properly spent. This is not an indictment of Dr. Zargana's management of the Storm. As the courts pointed out, the Storm remain, operationally, a financially solvent team. The massive, unsecured debt that the Storm are burdened with is out of her control, but a reality of the situation.

"I can announce now that the interim general manager of the Euceron Storm for the remainder of the season is a being of impeccable judgment, whose reputation is beyond reproach. She comes with my personal approval and I'm pleased that it will be her steady hand who will see the Storm through these last, trying weeks of the season.

"The new interim general manager of the Euceron Storm is former Elite League Commissioner Niakara Kayl'hen.

"For the moment, I will not take further questions. The League will have further updates when there is something to report."

TAG: jcgoble3

 

IC: Rocket Richaud
Gesco City, Bakura



Rocket had a spring in her step as she walked down the sidewalk. It was a good day. A very good day.

The Miners had gone to the Elite League’s capital of betting, Carratos, home to the top team and the “All In” attack. Like gambles sometimes did, it had paid off big to Carratos. They’d gone from bottom of the Elite League to riding high at the top, owning a 4-0 conference record and the odds on favorite (no pun intended) for the Commissioner’s Trophy. They’d won games defensively and they’d won them through scoring. The Pirates were doing it all and their fanbase was loving it.

Rocket had looked on the game with consternation, especially after the close Smugglers loss. Unlike years past, Nar Shaddaa was not in the top rankings of the Skywalker Conference. A close loss against them did not auger well for the Miners’ chances against a much better team like Carratos.

Early on, it had looked like trouble. The Pirates took an early lead and didn’t seem to be looking back. Rocket had put her head in her hands and had prepared for a shellacking. Down by two scores early to a team with more momentum than a meteor was not good.

But then the Pirates’ luck changed.

The All In strategy was high reward--but it was also high risk. Stacking the offensive zone meant that a fast turnovers were incredibly dangerous. If an opposing team could work the bolo-ball up the field they’d have superior numbers against the Pirate defense.

Sure enough, the Miners started forcing turnovers and they immediately punted it up field. It didn’t matter that they weren’t being accurate with where they were putting it--the offense had enough room to get there with time. One or two passes shifted the defense and the scores started piling up.

It was the front three who had a field day, the deep threats. They’d all been top scouted draft picks, some winning awards for college play, but had flown under the radar thanks to the more talented half forwards like Alesh and Deenever. The Pirates were standing up the half back line pretty well, so the Miners worked further up the field to the corner forwards--but most importantly to the full forward.

Steppng into Aron Rodders’ shoes had been an unenviable task. When Gary Zonka had been drafted it had seemed somewhat cruel. A Helmsman winner being stuck behind one of the great Full Forwards of the game. Zonka had gotten limited playing time until the previous season, after Rodders’ departure, and was in a contract year.

Today, Zonka showed why he had been so highly touted in the first place.

The ebony skinned Zonka had time and space in front of the Pirate goal when he got the ball and he buried it. When he did have coverage, he was running through the defenders with brute force. He was a wrecking ball out there and he was putting the power in power offense today.

It was after his fourth goal, a real beauty that involved shaking off a defender that tried to tackle him, that Zonka just gave a stare at the Pirate goalkeeper. It was a look that said, “Bring it. Bring everything. Just try.” It was intensity personified.

In Rocket’s opinion, this was a game that dared the Miners not to resign Zonka in the off season. The full forward position was often an overdrafted position, but when you had someone good, you got rid of them at your own peril.

One of the best parts of the win, in Rocket’s opinion, was the end of the game. Ponie Ternardiel had gone to Carratos in the offseason and been part of the turnaround of the Pirates. However, it didn’t mean she’d forgotten her time with the Miners. Most specifically, her friendship with Lizbit Comstock. Rocket didn’t know why they were close. Perhaps it was just the bond between a defender and a goalkeeper, but she knew that the two had a strong bond. It must have been hard for both of them when Ponie left, but they got to see each other today. One of them had to walk away a winner and today it was the shorter Comstock. It didn’t stop either one of them for demonstrating their affection for the other with a big hug.

Just as the Pirates’ gamble had not paid out, so had several of those of Rocket’s clients. She was on her way to make one such collection. She had presented her key at Fidelity Fiduciary Bank and been shown down to the safe deposit boxes. Client 8675309 had not been lucky this week. Carratos over Bakura? Several clients had made that bet and were probably cursing their luck for betting against the hometown team and 8675309 was one of them. As Rocket followed the bank employee to the private room where she’d open the box, she mentally moved through the other bets. Senators over Packers? Got that one right. Smugglers over Monarchs--tight but blew that one too. Took the under on Ylesia--got burned there. Demons over C-Bucs? That one hurt. Mercs over Starkillers? In 8675309’s defense, that had been a pick ‘em this week in Rocket’s opinion. The Mercs were good but the Starkillers had just been a little better.

8675309 had been wrong on every bet this week and was 60,000 credits in the red as a result. Luckily, the client had 70,000 on hand to cover it. Rossum would never have allowed bets in excess of collateral to be placed (one might say in this regard they were somewhat like a Euceron bankruptcy court). Credit was rarely extended unless they were the highest of high rollers (and 8675309 was not). Extending credit to gamblers was a good way to go out of business.

Alone in the room, Rocket put her messenger bag on the table and opened it to receive the 60,000 in credit chip bundles. She flipped open the top of the safe deposit box.

“Son of a--!”

Rocket counted it once, twice, three times to make sure it was right.

Only 15,000 credits were inside.

---

Bellfair Club, Gesco City, Bakura



Rocket was back in her one good dress, but tonight she wasn’t going to try the New Best Friend play like she had earlier in the season. No, the Bellfair was one of the swankiest clubs in all of Gesco. You had to look the part to even get a sniff of getting through the door. Even for Rocket it took a smile, a 20 cred chip, and leaning in a little bit towards the bouncer to showcase her...ahem...assets.

She’d read the full Rossum dossier on 8675309 before coming out. She knew how she wanted to handle this one. So she’d put eyes on the client, keeping out of sight, hanging along the wall. Rocket was waiting for her opportunity and she could be patient. She would be patient. This was 45,000 credits on the line.

Finally, her opportunity came. 8675309 was moving and Rocket surreptitiously began traversing the club. She knew where the client was headed. After all, everyone had to use the fresher at some point, especially if you were guzzling expensive drinks all night long.

Rocket timed her arrival just after the client’s by five seconds. The door had slid closed just a moment before and now it opened again for Rocket. The fresher looked empty, which was good. As the door shut behind Rocket, she reached into her purse and pulled out a small wedge. Standing on her tiptoes, Rocket shoved it into the space between the frame and the door. She had studied how these doors worked and knew that this would be enough to stop the door from opening as usual. It could easily be forced, but Rocket would be finished long before anyone felt it necessary to do that.

One of the stalls opened and out stepped 8675309, oblivious to Rocket’s plan or presence. She was checking herself in the mirror. No, the rich ones never did.

“The box was light,” Rocket said. No preamble usually worked best.

Midway through a primp, the client turned to look at Rocket.

“Excuse me? Were you talking to me?”

“You know what I’m talking about. The box. Rossum,” Rocket said.

Her face fell. She knew. “Look, I--”

“I don’t care,” Rocket said. She was interrupted from saying anything further by the opening of one of the stalls and another clubgoer stepping out. “This doesn’t concern you,” Rocket said sternly, guiding the third woman back into her stall, “You should stay in there for a little bit.”

This confused the third woman, but she apparently got the sense that this was not a matter to inject herself into and obliged. Rocket stepped closer to 8675309, putting them face to face.

“45,000 credits,” Rocket said in a low voice so the third woman didn’t hear, “Your box was 45,000 credits short to cover your bets.”

“Look, it was bad luck--”

“Oh, it was very bad luck. You made smart picks and you got burned across the board. But it’s time to pay up,” Rocket said.

“I don’t have the money,” she whispered, “I didn’t think I was going to have this bad of a week. I didn’t think it would be a problem. My bets were good, they were all solid.”

“Don’t tell me you don’t have the money. Not with your family. You’ve got the credits and you’re going to pay them now.”

“Don’t you understand? I can’t!”

It was after uttering these words that Ginnifer Lynd broke off her gaze and looked into the sink, bracing herself against the counter with both hands.

“Your last name might be Lynd, but you’re still a Trieste. 45,000 is nothing to you,” Rocket pressed.

Ginnifer looked up, her eyes moist with tears. “But I bet against the Miners! My cousin can’t pay my gambling debts! They’d throw her out of the sport! That’s who has the money! Not any of us! She has it!”

“Well betting against the Miners was your first mistake, sister,” Rocket said. She’d seen too many rich girls cry like this when they got caught short to feel sympathy for the society girl in front of her. Besides, what kind of Bakuran bet against the Miners?

“They were playing Carratos! The first-place team!” Ginny cried, “They weren’t supposed to win!”

“Rossum is fully aware that you did not have enough funds to cover your bets,” Rocket said, leaning in next to Ginny at the sink, “They do not tolerate delinquency. You are hereby cut off from further wagering and have one week to transfer the credits.”

And then Rocket twisted the knife. “If you don’t, then the media is going to get everything. That you couldn’t cover your bets. That you bet against the Miners. That you bet against the Monarchs, your sister’s team. That’s going to go over great for everyone in the family, in what do you call it, the Noble House, isn’t it?

“One week,” Rocket repeated.

She walked to the door and removed the wedge. The door slid open immediately revealing a line of women who had apparently been trying to get in.

“Oh! There it goes!” Rocket said breezily, “Darn thing was stuck. Somebody’s got to fix that.”

And without looking back, she left Ginnifer Lynd with the reality of her situation and the pressing need to fix it--fast.

TAG: CPL_Macja galactic-vagabond422 jcgoble3 (this last one because I got to make a Euceron bankruptcy court joke! )

 

And now, the moment you've all have been waiting for . . .


Dancing NO Cat!




Oh wait, you meant this:

279 Big Board, Volume 1, Issue 1​

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Alec Kazoo (Fondorian, Male, Corner Back, University of Evenvale)
Game Line: 7 tackles, 1 interception, W 17-9
Analysis: Had a solid game overall. Not the best, but definitely helped the Archers win this week.

Perdita Mowler (Cathar, Female, Corner Forward, UBGC)
Game Line: 1 goal scored, 1 bar point scored, 2 assists, 4 turnovers, 1 tackle, W 41-40 (39-39: OT 1-2)
Analysis: Had a pretty quiet day in the shootout win until the very end, scoring the game-tying goal to send it to overtime. She may not be a star, but she can make clutch goals when necessary. Needs to cut down on the turnovers, though.

Jarvus Landrie (Human, Male, Forward, Ryloth A&T)
Game Line: 2 goals scored, 2 turnovers, 5 shots on goal, 2 assists, W 35-19
Analysis: Had a good game in the win. Still a little turnover-prone, but that can be worked on. Has nice passing abilities for a player with his skill set.

Wallace Sentinel (Human, Male, Forward, Druckenwell Technical University)
Game Line: 4 goals scored, 3 bar points scored, 2 assists, 8 shots on goal, 3 tackles, W 37-31
Analysis: Had a monster game to lead his team to the tough road win. These are the kinds of games you want in the Big Board debut, because they send your stock soaring. Being from DTU, a recent powerhouse, definitely helps too.

Gasnar (Barabel, Male, Corner Back, University of Dantooine)
Game Line: 15 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, L 29-19
Analysis: His team couldn’t have asked for more from him today, but they couldn’t get it done on defense otherwise. He’s a star on a defensively-weak team, and it shows with his filled stat columns but poor team defensive stats. Sometimes these make the best pro players, and sometimes they don’t.

Callopie Farlan (Zeltron, Female, Corner Forward, Coruscant Polytechnic Institute)
Game Line: 3 goals scored, 4 bar points, 10 shots on goal, 1 turnover, W 26-16
Analysis: Nice game from a player who we’ve come to expect great things from. Took her team to the Galactic Playoffs last season, and looks to do it again this year.

Arcus Ariota (Trandoshan, Male, Full Forward, UB Telaan Valley)
Game Line: 3 turnovers, L 32-8
Analysis: Terrible game from him. Stock should definitely drop after this week’s game. We knew he was overrated, and he played the role beautifully.

Billy Bob Pitahaya (Human, Male, Half Forward, UT Anchorhead)
Game Line: 1 goal scored, 2 turnovers, 4 shots on goal, W 38-34
Analysis: Had a quiet game on the overall. Had to fill the shoes of Loryyk Fey’limm from last season, and while he has had some flashes of brilliance, he has also been too quiet for our liking. He might still boost his stock, but our earliest indications say a second-rounder at best.

Tanyo Oragam (Biituian, Female, Half Back, University of Zeltros, Paradise)
Game Line: 3 tackles, L 38-10
Analysis: This team had a nightmarish time trying to stop the opposition’s offense, and she didn’t help any. Not good.

Cotts'lan'tnanam "Slant" (Chiss, Male, Midfielder, Catlia Polytechnic Institute)
Game Line: 3 turnovers, 1 tackle, 1 shot on goal, L 28-14
Analysis: Ugly game. Didn’t do anything to help out the cause, and the team collapsed early. Has room to improve, but we’re worried that he really isn’t all he’s cracked up to be.

Corunno Non, (Nautolan, Male, Corner Back, Chofin Polytechnic Institute (Carratos))
Game Line: 1 tackle, L 29-14
Analysis: Stock like this can’t take much more of a hit. Talent’s there, but game performance hasn’t been. We’re thinking that he will be undrafted at this rate.

Nara Hosok (Weequay, Female, Corner Forward, University of Azerri)
Game Line: 2 turnovers, 1 bar point scored, L 29-6
Analysis: Scored a point late in garbage time, but otherwise had a forgettable game.

Tendra Nalo, (Hapan, Female, Full Forward, Shedu Maad Knights (Hapes Consortium Juniors League))
Stat Line: 1 goal, 8 bar points, 11 total points, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, W at Jovaria Pirates, 34-26
Analysis: Nalo showed the typical scoring line we've come to expect out of her, but we wish she'd attack the goal more often instead of settling for the single. Still, she didn't have a lot of good looks at it this week. She said in the post-game presser that she was undecided on the draft because she doesn't want to be stuck in a long-term rebuilding project. She'll get a look and possibly a contract offer from the C-Bucs, like any star player in the Juniors, but without strong ties to the Consortium, she could potentially end up elsewhere.


TAGS to Everyone: Bardan_Jusik, CPL_Macja, Runjedirun, Trieste, Vehn, Rebecca_Daniels, jcgoble3, Tim Battershell, galactic-vagabond422

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IC: Eddy Beagle
Work, Week After Confrontation

Eddy woke up that day in a cold sweat. He knew that today was the first day that Lara was back on the job after her mini-vacation. It was also the first day that Viktor could try and inform her of what he was in possession of, the fake I.D. card that he had made based on her real identity card. He hoped that the Barabel had been taken out by the assassin he had hired to do the job, but what if it hadn’t worked? What if Viktor was still alive and would spill the beans on what Eddy had done? That was a proposition that would land him in a huge heap of trouble.

And then there was the question of how he was going to raise funds to pay the bounty hunter. He had 50,000 in cash from the sale of the fake I.D. card, which would now be going back to the same syndicate whom had purchased it from him (or at least he thought so), the gambling winnings, amounting to about 6,500 credits now, and not much else. He might have to sell off some of his stuff, he reasoned, because he couldn’t easily get that kind of cash on hand. A loan was probable, but he didn’t know what kind of collateral they wanted, and if he could pay it back within a reasonable amount of time. 20,000 credits didn’t sound like a lot when compared to big business numbers, but it was still a large amount for a guy like him all of a sudden finding himself in desperate need of cash. That was a down payment on a house, something that would now go towards making sure he still had a job and a shred of decency to his name after the day was through. It was a sad situation indeed.

He wondered how in the hell he had gotten here. He had gone into his job as an intern with high hopes. When Lara had started hitting on him, he felt empowered, like he could take on the whole galaxy by himself. Sleeping with her made him feel like more of a man than he ever did before. Then there was Karin; that one night they had shared was magic, he remembered, but now it had landed him in hot water. A few promotions later, he was now stuck trying to cover up his tracks after selling off his I.D. card to a stranger. They must have trashed the locker rooms, he figured. He certainly hadn’t done it. And now he was on the hook at the end of the chain; if the organization dug down far enough, they would find his fingerprints all over the case and fire him. He would be forever disgraced, and would likely never get a good job again. Everything was at stake here, and it made his stomach uncomfortable.

He barely ate any breakfast that morning. All he could think about when driving to work was what Lara might say if Viktor had gotten to her first and told her everything. But what if Viktor didn’t show up? What if he was dead? Could he live with having set out a hit on another being’s life? It was a necessary bit of damage, he told himself. Viktor had gone snooping around where he shouldn’t have, and he was going to pay for it. Whether he was dead already or in process, all Eddy knew was that the Barabel had to die so that his own life could continue as it already was. The 20,000 credits he could eventually repay; his image wouldn’t be so easy to repair, if it could be salvaged at all.

When his speeder pulled into the lot, he looked for a close-by parking spot, in case he had to make a quick getaway. None were available, so he had to park out far from the front door. He warily walked through the aisles of the lot before reaching the door. He put a hand on the doorknob and took a deep breath before opening it.

He fully expected someone to jump on him as soon as he entered, ready to arrest him on the spot for the murder plot he had conceived. But no one did; instead, the office looked just as it usually did. Most of the rest of the workforce was already here, and they paid him no mind as he walked past their cubicles to his office. When he sat down in his hard chair, he tried to get his mind off of what he had done. So far so good, he thought. But one thought still bugged him; would Viktor jump out of nowhere and strike him while he was unsuspecting? He had to make sure no one snuck up on him. His muscles were tense, and every small sound he could hear forced him to turn his head in case he had to get out of there quickly.

Many tense minutes passed by with nothing said to him. Finally he got to working, and he wrote a few sentences before a sound at his door caused him to almost jolt out of his chair. Lara was there at the door. “Mr. Beagle, have you seen Viktor today?”

“No . . . why?” Eddy asked. He was wary of her reasoning for this question.

“He hasn’t shown up to work today,” Lara said. “That’s two straight days that he hasn’t shown up on time. I worry about him; he never misses a day. When he’s sick, he at least calls in. But we’ve heard nothing . . . and I’m worried.”

“You need to be calm,” Eddy said. “Surely he’s just forgotten to call the office. I’m sure he’s fine.”

“You think so?”

“We can only hope so,” Eddy said. But, deep down, he hoped for the exact opposite. He hoped that Viktor the Barabel was dead, killed off by a bounty hunter who could cover his own tracks and prevent any proof from being left behind for a court case. “That’s all we can do at the moment.”

Lara left his office, and Eddy took a huge sigh of relief. Viktor was gone, and so were the tidbits of knowledge that he had about Eddy’s transgressions. It was a tidal wave of relief for the young beat writer, to know that for now his position was secure. He had Lara at his beck and call, and he had a good job. Now all he needed was the 20,000 credits he owed the bounty hunter beyond those he had already pocketed. That would be the most difficult part of this task, he reasoned. But he would stop at the bank later to pick up the cash, and he would have the stranger paid off by the end of the week. Things looked resolved.

This gave him a sense of closure that let him begin to write again. However, instead of being unsure of himself, his confidence came back, and he wrote some great material. Lara later admitted that she loved his work from that day, that it was a worthwhile read for the audience. Eddy thanked her for the kind words, because it was what he needed. For Eddy, any confidence-booster was welcome.

---

IC: Willy Bunker
Control Room, Senators Stadium

Willy was going over security footage from the past break-in. The cops had almost come close to capturing a suspect, but they had gotten away just before the police could arrive. And that bugged Willy; many of the break-ins didn’t seem to accomplish anything. But they were too much to have to deal with, because one break-in was too many.

The annoying thing he found was that the suspects never showed their faces. They always had them covered. Obviously these were some smart criminals, because they weren’t going to make it easy on the stadium staff to catch them or prevent them from causing any more harm. The access code had been denied to Lara Spinks, whose card was being used, but for some odd reason her card was no longer the biggest issue. Whoever the crooks were, they were still getting in. Yet more damage to the stadium underbelly had been discovered in the past week; a locker stall that had been bought for Christine Gamble had once again been stolen, and it hadn’t even been used for a game. The team captain was getting increasingly frustrated with the inability of the staff to make sure her nameplate came back. By now most of the team knew that there were break-ins, and there were strict rules in place to keep them from letting those facts slip. If someone outside the organization knew, the image of the Coruscant Senators would take a major hit so damaging that no bad Limmie regular season could equal its impact. PR was key here, and although the team seemed to know about it, there was nothing Willy or his team could do to make them forget it. They just had to rectify the problem before more issues arose and their tasks multiplied.

As he watched the new footage, this time a locker room camera, Willy could see that these culprits had their faces somewhat visible. That was odd; the vandals never let their faces be seen. And instead of trashing the place, these were kids, not real crooks. They seemed happy to be here, not stealing or defacing anything. And that made things more confusing for the groundskeeper. If this group he was after was causing tons of damage, this seemed out of the realm. It seemed different, somehow.

And then a thought came to his head, something that made him even sicker. What if multiple groups were sharing the same I.D. card? That would explain why these kids, these people who weren’t damaging the locker room, were separate from the vandals? But if Spinks’ card had been deactivated from stadium access privileges, how in the hell did they get in?

Finally Willy called up Dyklar, who contacted Gark S’rily. It was late at night, and the Bothan didn’t seem that interested in talking. In fact, Willy could hear wailing in the background. Obviously a child wasn’t happy about the call.

“Honey, it’s from the stadium crew,” Gark said to someone off the line. “Can you please take CeCe for a few moments?”

The crying got a little quieter, but it was still prevalent in the background. “Please tell me you’ve found something,” the Bothan said, sounding harried. “I have about an inch of patience left, and that might be a bit generous.”

“I’ll make it quick, sir,” Willy said. “From the security footage, it appears that there might be two groups breaking into the stadium.”

“How in the hell can that happen?” Gark asked. “If you shut down the I.D. access to that card, this shouldn’t be happening.”

“I don’t know, sir,” Willy replied. “Obviously someone has made a duplicate card that still registers as valid for the card reader. I’ve done what I can from here, but I’m going to spend tomorrow looking at the reader and seeing if I can’t just block all access to it for the time being.”

“Then no one can get in,” the Bothan said bluntly.

“I know, but then the vandals can’t get in either.”

“So what are we up against?”

“It looks like the two groups have different agendas. One is just a bunch of teens or young adults who apparently just break in for their enjoyment. And then there is a group of vandals and thieves, who don’t show their faces and are good at what they do. It’s obvious that one group is of professionals, and the other is just amateurs who have illegal stadium access.”

“What will it take to stop them?”

“Like I said, sir, to lock down all access until we can figure out a better solution.”

“Might not be that easy.”

“I know, sir, but it’s the only choice we have right now.”

The Bothan sighed on the other end of the line. Finally he came back with a response. “Then do it. We have no more chances to nip this one in the bud. If we let it keep happening, then our image is going to take a major hit.”

“And that’s what I’m here for,” Willy said. “Don’t worry, sir. We’ll get this straightened out.” He quit the call and put the comlink down. But he hoped that his words would ring true. Locking down all access would be dangerous, but it was a necessary step to figuring this thing out.

The biggest issue was that there was a major show being put on at the stadium the next day, and his crew was needed to assist in that going off without a hitch. The earliest they could lock things down would be the next week, and that was making things pretty dicey. With Senator games coming up on the next two weekends, it would be downright dangerous to lock the whole place down and then have to scramble to unlock things in time for workers to make it to work on time for gameday. All Willy knew was that this was going to contribute to a major headache for him.

TAG: No One

 

IC: Ty Allin

274 Ralltiir Planet Penitentiary

“We made the play-offs,” I told Trey excitedly. “Number one seed in our conference. I’m paying for my mother to come see the game, well both my parents, but my mother she’s the important one and I’m going to ask Lucie to marry me.”

“Whoa back up a minute,” Trey said with little expression on his face. “You are caught up in the high of her beauty and your winning season. What’s going to happen in a few months from now when you wake up next to her if you’ve lost the championship, half the team’s been traded away, she hasn’t got her make-up on and her hair’s not straitened?”

“Does she still have her abs?” I asked jokingly.

“Well she is pretty damned committed to that dance team, so unless you knock her up, I’m going to say yes.”

“I’m not just in love with Lucie’s beauty anyway,” I responded. “She has a big heart, she’s always helping her little siblings. Has that lawyer come to visit you yet?”

“Yea, about that Ty. He seems like all the others. Says the case is complicated. Told me he was going to do some investigating and he would come back to see me when he had some news.”

That was disappointing. I had really been hoping that Lucie was on to something with asking her father to hire someone to help Trey. Still even if this lawyer wasn’t Trey’s savior at least Lucie had tried to help. It was her willingness to believe in Trey and myself that had convinced me to purchase the ring in my pocket.

“You still have one more game in the regular season, against the Patriots right?” Trey asked suddenly interrupting my thoughts.

I nodded.

“Don’t let them win,” Trey warned me. “That’s a team with play-off experience in this league. If you do have to play them again you want the psychological advantage of knowing you can beat them.”

279 Financial Square Arena

The game was not going as we had hoped and it had just gotten worse. With two minutes to go in the half Mauntak and Tory had gotten into a scramble. Mauntak was able to walk away, but the trainers were out on the field looking at Tory. Coach was over on the sideline talking to Bat Vigo. The trainers helped Tory to his feet the crowd politely clapped as he was helped over the sideline. Coach gave Bat a solid pat on the back just before Bat ran out to McTodd at the right corner forward position. McTodd transitioned back to Tory’s position at left half forward and Bat took the right corner.

Coach ran back to join us on field. “Our jobs may have just gotten more important,” he said. “I don’t think Tory is going to make it back on field today and Vigo is green. This team isn’t fooling around, they are going to take full advantage of his inexperience. Which means we gotta tighten up back here.”

The score was 9 to 10 and the point was in our favor, but coach was right we needed to do more on defense. As soon as the ball was thrown back into play the Merc offense began to drive. Noah made a nice tackle on Vera Langdon for me, allowing me to intercept a pass coming her way. I ran forward with the ball and dished it off to Roselli. Roselli passed up to Hovechar. Hovechar passed forward to McTodd. McTodd passed up to Fortune, Fortune passed all the way back to Ellie Knott, Ellie passed up to Sureysh, Sureysh passed to Lightcin, and Lightcin kicked the ball over the bar increasing our lead to two points as the buzzer sounded ending the half.

We were a beat up group and the trainers were busy during the half. Coach actually needed stitches on his right calf where a cleat had cut him deeper than he realized. “You going back out?” I asked him as he sat on the bench to get stitched up.

“You gonna try to stop me?” He asked.

I watched him clench the bench as the trainer went to work. Tomas came over with a fresh bottle of Gundarkade. “Bite the top,” he suggested. “It’ll help ease the pain.”

Once coach was patched up he spoke to the trainers about Tory’s condition. Tory was indeed out for the rest of the game, but with a little luck he could be back as early as next week. His ankle was swollen but it was just torn ligaments, not a broken bone. Coach told Bat not to be afraid, “play aggressive.” He urged.

“Yea, show those bucket heads!” Tomas encouraged.

“Go make sure the clean towels are on the sideline,” Coach ordered Tomas. With reluctance Tomas turned to leave. Coach hopped up on the bench he had just sat on to be mended and gave a whistle to get everyone’s attention. “Great first half,” he began. “I have seen every one of you put the effort in on the field this afternoon. Keep it up for thirty more minutes and we bring this crowd a victory. Now let’s get out there and watch as one of the great’s in this game is honored.”

We whooped and hollered as we ran out of the tunnel. Loren was already standing midfield, highlights of her career were being displayed on the jumbo screens. She seemed so small and humbled out there. She actually blushed when the crowd cheered for her past achievements. It was nice to see Loren out on the Limmie field again and to see a smile on her face. Privately she had been struggling since leaving the game. She wanted a child more than anything, but as of yet had not been able to conceive one. It pained me that Loren was unable to get what she wanted most in life. She deserved it more than any woman I knew. Hopefully her struggle would come to an end soon. I knew from my experience as a father that her wait would be worth it.

Zoey Vigo pulled the lever that revealed the #21 jersey as it hung for the first time over the section of seats behind the home goal. The crowd gave a final roar as Loren waived and left the field. Both teams took the field for warm ups. I made sure to take a detour and congratulate Loren on my way out. “Get a win for me,” she said with an effortless smile.

“You got it,” I returned. If only it had been easy. The next thirty minutes were a battle. It began when the Mercs overwhelmed us on offense and went up by a point when they got the ball in the net. Bat Vigo answered the goal with one of his own. On the next possession we held, but the Mercs defense held our offense as well. The game continued in similar patterns. No team was able to break away. Late in the game we had a three point advantage. The Mercs were driving. Roselli tried to take down Soker, but was unable to stop her. I had Landon covered, but for some reason no one was on Daryc. Somehow he found a wide open shot and tied the game. The buzzer sounded before our offense could find an open look.

“Blast,” coach said under his breath voicing all of our opinions of the situation. “Locker room now.” He ordered the defense. I put as much hustle in my step as I could and hoped the rest of the defense would take my cue and follow suit. Coach jumped back up on his bench. “Do you all know what this game means to this franchise?” Coach asked.

“Martin Vigo’s first move as GM was to sign this man,” he answered for us pointing at Fortune. “To serve his memory we need to win. Have you seen our place in the standings? Do you want to make the post season? Do we need a win today?”

“Yes, yes and yes!” He continued. “Don’t let Martin down, don’t let Loren down, don’t let me down, don’t let your fans down, and don’t let yourselves down. Now let’s get out there and play Limmie.”

We ran back out on the field. Bat Vigo quickly put a point on the board. Our joy only lasted a moment before Daryc again got by us. Thankfully this time he only managed a bar point. We battled it out for almost the rest of the overtime period before Fortune broke through and got us another bar point. There wasn’t much time left the Mercs called time-out. We knew they were drawing up something special. To our surprise Lieznam took the field in place of Langdon. Langdon had played a good game, I expected her to be on the field for the final play.

“Watch Lieznam,” coach warned me. I did as I was told and stayed on top of him. Sure enough the ball ended up in Johnny’s hands. He got a shot off despite my tight coverage, but it wasn’t a clean shot and Kaat was able to deflect it to Noah. Noah held on until the buzzer sounded.

For several moments I just stood there. Relieved it was over and too exhausted to move. I looked to my left to see Coach limping his way towards center field. When I looked to my right I saw Noah still clutching the bolo ball. Next thing I knew Tomas Vigo was running towards me. “You alright?” He asked.

One by one I picked up each foot and held it behind me for a stretch. “I will be,” I told him. Since I hadn’t lined up some Merc forwards were headed my way to shake hands. I did my best to walk forward a few steps and meet them.

“What hurts?” Tomas asked as he walked with me.

“Everything,” I said forcing a smile. “Nothing the training staff can’t fix.”

As it turned out I didn’t need the training staff to help alleviate the pain as much as I was expecting. By the time I showered and lie on the table for my postgame massage I had learned that the Starkillers were now alone at the top of the Solo Conference standings.

We had been in this situation before. I knew that it meant there was a long hard battle ahead. But that didn’t take away from the pride I felt in myself and my teammates for fighting to get back in this position after a disappointing season a year ago.

Early the next morning I was in Coach Till’s office for a strategy meeting about the upcoming game against Nar Shadda. “We have a few positives to focus on,” Coach began. “Nar Shadda’s probably feeling just as, if not more beat up than we are. Their game went into overtime yesterday as well and on top if it they lost. Hell, their six game road trip alone should have worn them out. We just need to be mindful of the momentum the will likely gain when stepping back onto their home turf in front of their fans.”

Coach stopped suddenly and picked up his data pad. “An alert from home,” he said with a sigh. “I was afraid of this. Hold on a minute Ty I need to take care of something.”

Coach made a call out and Tomas appeared on the screen of his data pad. “Did you really think you could get away with making a call off planet unnoticed?” He asked.

“I didn’t know you were monitoring my activity. Besides you wouldn’t believe the lack of credit the Mandalorian radio program is giving to the Starkillers for the win yesterday. I just want to call and set them strait.”

“Oh,” Coach responded. “What is it you were going to tell them?”

“That it was our defense that threw off Coach Kor’le’s plan and forced Johnnie Limmie to make a desperate play. And that it was your nephew who the ball was deflected to after he attempted to make that final shot on goal. Can you believe they didn’t even name Ty, Kaat Stun or Noah? It was like they didn’t bother to look up our roster before they went on the air. There are two Till’s on defense they had a 1 in 3 chance with just the last name,” Tomas said exasperated.

Coach smiled from ear to ear. “Things are going just perfectly if you ask me,” he told Tomas. “We don’t want to be on anyone’s radar. Let the names of our players go unmentioned. Besides the Merc fan base is hurting today. It could be them at the top of their standings this morning. Having ownership of the winning team call in to rub it in would be unsportsmanlike. Don’t you agree?”

Tomas looked back at coach defiantly. “Can I call and set them strait if we win the cup?” He asked.

Coach looked at me. I nodded. He turned back to Tomas. “Only if we win the cup.”

Tags: Bardan_Jusik Vehn

 

Power Rankings:​

​

1. Carratos Pirates – Still the top dog this week. But they are definitely beatable, so they need to lick their wounds and get back on track before losing becomes a habit.

2. Ralltiir Starkillers – Out-gutted a very gutsy Mercs team at home in overtime this week, and they definitely deserve to be on top of the Solo Conference. Again, we’re not sure what to make of this team, and why they don’t do this well every year, but such is the way of the game.

3. Denon Demons – Losing a hard-fought road game to a Hapes team that didn’t score many points hurts. But they are still very dangerous, and should not be overlooked.

4. Bakura Miners – Winning a road contest against Carratos defies the two-game losing streak and kept the Miners in the third spot in the Solo. Look for their game with Rydonni Prime to determine the last playoff spot this season.

5. Mando’ade Mercs – It’s hard to rank all these teams this week, because they’re all so good. But the Mercs are definitely better than fifth-ranked; we just don’t have room to put them all without adding ties. And then the Rankings would be more speculation than anything. Yeah, can’t let that happen.

6. Rydonni Prime Monarchs – Scored a big win this week and are now at .500. They have some tough games ahead, so we shall see if the Lynd-less Monarchs can make it back to the postseason. If not, they’re silently cursing Lynd for letting herself get injured. Because they certainly have the other pieces in place.

7. Agamar Packers – Routed the Senators this week at home, and they are back on track in the Skywalker. Nothing like a home blowout win to keep you awake in the morning, eh?

8. Hapes Consortium Buccaneers – Went from losing by 36 points to one of the worst teams in the league to beating one of the best in the span of a week. All bets should be off on this team at this point, because they are certainly the most entertaining dumpster fire team in the league, and perhaps in the last decade or two.

9. Coruscant Senators – Despite being pasted this week, the Senators were missing Becki Morlan, who may have made a difference early on in the game. Even if not, they should come to play this next week, because it’s the Senatorial Showdown. They don’t have much to play for now but pride, but they’ll still come out swinging. Nothing like a huge rivalry game to get a team to land its best punches.

10. Ylesia Lightning – Got a win this week, but it seems too little, too late. Rumors about Mirik Chal, or at least someone in their organization, having familial issues to attend to make us hope that it’s nothing serious, because the Lightning deserve better. It just hasn’t been their year.

11. Nar Shaddaa Smugglers – Selling low on them right now because they just don’t have it this year. Look for this to be their down year, and for them to be back in the thick of things next week.

​

12. Euceron Storm – It breaks out hearts here to see the Storm go at the end of the season, but there’s nothing we can do. If the readers press us hard enough, we might give them an honorary top spot in the final week’s rankings to honor what they’ve done for the league and for the game. We honor you, Storm. Just know that. It won’t be the same league without you!


TAGS to galactic-vagabond422, Runjedirun, Trieste, Bardan_Jusik, CPL_Macja, Tim Battershell, Rebecca_Daniels, Vehn, jcgoble3

 

IC: Jado Nalo
Location: One kilometer away from Rosty Bassell's base, unnamed planet, Unknown Regions
Time: Mere hours after Euceron Storm forced into liquidation

Jado pulled his swoop up beside his Master, Kash Skywalker—who was also the Grand Master of the Jedi Order—and waited for instructions. His Master took his time, surveying the base from a distance with electrobinoculars before conferring briefly with Master Zenlin Koan, a fellow Council member. Zenlin listened for a moment, then nodded and turned to pass the word along, and Kash turned back to Jado. “The base is protected by many laser cannons. Our lightsabers are useless against those blasts, so we need to be prepared to dodge. I think we'll be better off on foot than on swoops, as we'll have more agility and more time to react.”

“I agree,” Jado said as he dismounted the swoop. All around him, Jedi began dismounting from swoops. Kash was leaving nothing to chance here; he had brought almost every available Master, including the entire High Council, and many Knights and Padawans, leaving only a skeleton staff at the Ossus Temple—which was on lockdown for the duration of this mission—in case of a backdoor attack. Jado was unsure of the total number of Jedi that had come, but as he scanned the crowd, he estimated that it must have been well over a thousand.

Kash turned to give instructions to some Jedi behind him, but a murmur began to make its way through the assault force. Kash and Jado turned simultaneously to see what others had just spotted. Three lone figures, each carrying what looked at a distance to be a blaster rifle, possibly a heavy rifle, had emerged from what the Jedi had assumed was the main entrance of the base. These three figures were clad completely from head to toe in battle armor, which bore a hint of resemblance to traditional Mandalorian armor, yet at the same time was distinctly and obviously different.

As one, the assembled Jedi watched their enemy as the armor-clad figures approached the Jedi on foot at a leisurely walking pace. Each Jedi kept one hand on his or her lightsaber, prepared for action, but it would have been foolish for three lone soldiers to attack a thousand Jedi. To their credit, the enemy did not attack or even make a threatening move as the continued to approach, instead carrying their rifles vertically, in a position and grip that seemed to be more ceremonial than practical. The three soldiers came within one hundred meters, then fifty meters, then finally the one in the center, apparently the leader of the group, called an order to halt, and they stopped approximately ten meters from the front line of the Jedi attack force. The leader issued a command in a language that Jado didn't recognize, and all three made a show out of planting the butt of their rifles on the ground, now holding them by the muzzle.

Kash had had enough. “State your business,” he said.

“I have a message from Rosty Bassell, to be delivered to Kash Skywalker, Grand Master of the Jedi Order,” the leader stated in a booming voice. “Is that you?”

Jado shot a quizzical look at him, then turned to his Master. Kash was apparently not in the mood to play games. “If the message is an attempt to negotiate, forget it. We do not negotiate with terrorists.”

“This is not a negotiation,” the leader, who was apparently male, said. He reached out his hand to the associate on his right, who placed a folded piece of flimsi in it. The leader then turned and offered the flimsi to Kash without further comment. Kash stared at it for a moment, then stepped forward and took it. Before he had a chance to open it, the leader spoke again. “We will allow you the freedom to discuss this privately. There is no deadline for a decision.” Immediately, the three soldiers performed an about-face and marched back the way they came before stopping about one hundred meters away.

Kash stepped back to read the message, turning as he did so to face his fellow Council members. Jado stood back respectfully; it was not his place to intrude on Council business, and Kash was obviously treating this as such. But after only a few seconds, Jado was surprised to see his Master turn and motion for him to join the Council. Perplexed, Jado walked up to them, and Kash showed him the note.

Dear Grand Master Skywalker:

It appears that you have finally found my fortress and have come to conquer it. I am amazed at the sheer size of your attack force. Still, you are at a severe disadvantage, because I have what those idiots in limmie like to call “home field advantage”. After thinking about it, I don't think it would be a fair fight if you were to simply attack this fortress as the situation stands right now. And because I enjoy a fair fight, I am going to make an offer to even the odds slightly.

I will allow one, and only one Jedi, complete, unhindered access to this fortress. This Jedi is to be Jado Nalo, and only Jado Nalo; that is non-negotiable. Jado will have the freedom to view any portion of the fortress interior he wishes to, and to take notes as he explores, with no time limit being enforced. He will be allowed to keep his lightsaber. To prevent you from using this to turn the fight completely against me, I will enforce the restrictions that Jado is not to attempt to harm, capture, or hold hostage any being inside or outside the fortress, and he is not to attempt to interfere with or sabotage any of the fortress's defenses. To ensure that Jado does not attempt to circumvent these rules, let me be clear that Jado will be immediately put to death should either of these rules be violated. However, in no other case will Jado be harmed.

I leave the decision up to you. You can attack now, or you can try to gain some intelligence and neutralize the field of play. It's your choice, but I warn you not to underestimate my power.

Rosty Bassell

“Sounds like a trap,” Jado said as soon as he finished reading.

“Possibly,” Kash replied. “Or it could be a genuine offer. When you're dealing with an insane terrorist, you never know.”

“I call trap,” Zenlin Koan said.

“This one agreez,” the Barabel Council member, Melodia Ardonel, added.

Master Ada Skobra shook her head. “I don't think so. I cannot sense any ill intent in that handwriting.”

“You think it's a genuine offer?” Zenlin asked.

“None of us can be certain, but I'm confident enough in it to take a chance.”

Another Council member spoke up. “Can a man who is the very definition of insane really exude ill intent?”

This set off a heated argument that lasted for several minutes, and which Jado had trouble following. Finally, Zenlin said something—Jado couldn't make out what—that shut everyone else up and there was silence for a few seconds.

Ada was the one to break the silence. “Since this Council cannot agree on a course of action here, let me propose this. Jado is the Padawan of Grand Master Skywalker here. Therefore, I suggest that we allow Master Skywalker to make the decision himself since it is his Padawan who would be put at risk.”

At this, everyone agreed. Kash studied the message a little more, then took a deep breath and exhaled. “I'm willing to give this a try,” he said at last. “But I'm not sending my Padawan in there if he's not comfortable with the risk himself.”

Jado knew that was his cue, and his decision had been made earlier, during the spirited argument. “I'm willing to give it a try also.”

Kash took his hand. “Then come with me.”

Master and Padawan walked forward toward the three soldiers, who had been standing at parade rest the entire time they had been discussing the message. Now, as the two Jedi approached them, they snapped to attention, then marched forward to meet them in the middle.

Kash spoke first. “We accept your offer. Please be reminded that we will not tolerate reneging on the terms of the deal. If my Padawan is harmed in any way or used as a hostage, our justice will be swift.”

“Understood, Grand Master,” the leader said before turning to Jado. “Please hand over your comlink and any other forms of communication to your Master.”

Jado hesitated at this request; this had not been mentioned in the original message. He looked at his Master, who also seemed hesitant, but nodded to say he should go ahead and comply. Jado fished out his main comlink and datapad and handed them to Kash.

“Grand Master, thank you for being cooperative,” the leader said. “Please return to your force at once. We will escort Jado from here. There is no set time by which he will be returned; he is welcome to look around as long as he pleases.”

As the three soldiers fell into formation around him, Jado walked toward and into the enemy's lair.

* * * * *

IC: Kash Skywalker
Time: One hour later

Kash gave up on his meditation and reached into his survival pack, rummaging around. He had an upset stomach, and needed to put something other than protein pills in it. He finally found a biscuit which, although a little hard, would have to suffice for now.

As he sat down to take his first bite, though, he suddenly detected a surge in the Force, and dropped the biscuit onto the dusty ground before standing up straight. All around him, other Jedi were doing the same. Then slowly, he became aware of a tremor in the ground; that tremor soon gave way to a fully-fledged groundquake. Decades of Jedi training and mastery of the Force allowed him to stand perfectly still, but many Knights and Padawans stumbled or fell over.

Then came the loud roar, like the sound of a hundred sublight engines, coming from the direction of the fortress. It took all of two seconds to realize that it was coming from the fortress itself. The fortress began to methodically fold into a different configuration, until it resembled a a small capital ship standing on its end. No, it was a small capital ship standing on its end.

Kash could only watch as the fortress-turned-starship slowly lifted into the air, powered by massive sublight engines on the end that had been planted in the ground. He realized that this is why the fortress had been missed on the initial scan of the planet three years ago: it hadn't been there at the time. Then he felt a wave of hopelessness rush over him as he realized his Padawan was still on board the ship. He wasn't sure if they had worked together long enough to be able to communicate through the Force, but he gave it a try anyway: Jado!

No answer came.

As the ship gained altitude and began to disappear into the clouds, Kash wanted nothing more than to chase after it. But he was not equipped to do that. He would have to find another way.

Rosty Bassell obviously wanted Jado for some reason, and now he had him. Kash didn't know why, but he hoped that Jado would be able to withstand whatever Bassell threw at him until a rescue plan could be worked out.

THE END... or is it?

TAG: Nobody directly, unless you care about my Bassell storyline

 

IC: Christine Gamble
Senators’ Practice Facility, Two Days Prior to Bakura Game

Christine, as team captain, was tasked with getting the first look at any new acquisitions to the team. She wasn’t sure if it was formal, or if the coaching staff and organization were that interested in seeing how any new players might fit in with their prized corner back. Whatever the case, now she had to deal with two new faces, Zen Keisel and Gal Avant. Keisel was a veteran corner back whom she had heard would play full back this next week in place of a struggling Deluxx, and Avant, despite his beard not being as pronounced as Keisel’s (and how could it?), still cut a handsome figure.



Keisel was used to the Elite League, so his transition seemed easy. Christine felt slightly uneasy about the new player, since adding a new corner back would potentially mess with her job. Kara Milovy wasn’t doing that badly across from her at the left corner position, so whether Keisel would stay at full back or be converted to corner was the big question going forward. For Avant, though, this was his first taste of the Elite League. He seemed awestruck by the facilities; obviously those on Fondor hadn’t been nearly as nice. Christine had been to Fondor once when back in college for an interleague game. She didn’t like it very much. The people there were snotty, and she didn’t like their planet. At least Avant wasn’t snotty.

He was just hyper. Really hyper.

“This is just like an adventure,” he said at one point.

“What the hell you talking about?” Keisel interjected. “This is business.” He was short, straight, and to the point.

“Listen, I’m new to this whole thing, so cut me some slack,” Avant said hastily.

“Man up, rook, because your adventure’s going to get a lot more treacherous than in those sissy Premier League games,” Keisel said, snorting. Christine knew that she had found a soul like herself in this new acquisition, somewhat hard-nosed but definitely ground in the reality of the Elite League game. They would likely get along nicely, but only if he wasn’t gunning for her job.

Those words seemed to stick with Avant for the rest of the day. He struggled in practice to fit in with his fellow forwards, and his reps were limited. He had some talent, but it was hard to learn the offense on the first day. That obviously told the coaches enough to not pencil him into the void at left half forward for the Bakura game. No need to rush the rookie too much, or risk their necks by gambling on an unproven player. Keisel was far more impressive. Despite not knowing the playbook, he took his new position with relative ease, holding the line when forwards came at him. He stood his ground on a drive by Leia Adama, something that took real guts.

The next day, Avant seemed more at home. Christine could catch him humming some things as he went around his business. She had no idea what made the man tick, but he obviously marched the beat of his own drum. That wasn’t her business in a way, but all the same he needed to be on the same page as everyone else if he wanted to stay here long. The team was trusting to see something in him in the final three games for contract reasons, and they hadn’t called up their top forward prospects as a result. Christine had heard good things about Callie Polarez, the organization’s top prospect, so Avant had to produce quickly if he wanted a future in this league.

---

Gameday

Christine pulled on the alternative orange uniform. The staff was hoping that by switching up the uniforms that they could finally break their bad-luck string against the Miners. After losing four straight to bitter rivals, any change was welcomed. She preferred the black and orange uniforms, but these orange ones were alright. Not great, but not terrible either. There was no repeat of the garish Gundarkade ones that had been worn in the 270 All-Star Game here.

Then she looked around the locker room. Her teammates looked rather subdued, like they had already lost the game. They knew that their balls had to be against the wall, to borrow from Holo quotes. There was no more room for error now, with two games in between them and the Miners with three contests to go. They would have to win out and get help from both the Miners and Monarchs to get that third playoff spot. Basically, while still mathematically alive, the chances of a postseason berth were slim to none.

Then again, this was the Senatorial Showdown. She had never won one of these games, the Miners always running up the score on offense no matter what the Senator defense tried. They had tried one-on-one, zone, some strange combinations of 4-2 and 2-4, and even a box-and-2. But nothing had ever worked; the Miners always scored in bunches. Now it was time to see how the FLEX Back would do. She didn’t feel hopeful, though. That had been burned by the Packers, and its weaknesses displayed for all to see. Sarah Connor would have to be on her best game today if they wanted it to be successful. At least Camille Montes brought a sense of stability to the goalie spot, so if there was a bright spot at the moment, that was it.

Finally she couldn’t take any more of the silence. She had to act. This game was too important to be giving away before the opening kickoff, even if it wasn’t for a playoff spot in most cases. “Why so quiet?” she finally asked, challenging someone to speak up from their prolonged silence.

“We’re gonna get killed out there today,” Thulius Jomas said. “You see what the Miners did last week?”

“I didn’t, but I know they beat Carratos,” Christine commented. “But so did we. It was Week One, but we beat them. It’s not impossible.”

“What about the offense?” Ava asked from her nearby locker stall. “We didn’t exactly inspire confidence last week.”

“Last week was last week,” Christine countered. “And come on, Ava, I know you’ve overcome more than this. This is nothing compared to drug abuse issues and rehab. We can do this.”

“That needs to start with you, though, Cap,” Leia said after a pause.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean . . . do you believe what you’re saying? Do you buy that we can win today? Or are you just regurgitating the same old tired speech? Because you don’t seem like it’s what’s really going through your mind.”

Christine felt shocked by these words. But she knew that they were, to some extent, true. Did she really believe in all she was saying? Did they really have a chance against the Miners today? Would it be better to pack it all in, or try to gut it out? They really had nothing to play for except pride, and an old trophy. Besides, even if they tried, the Miners were that good. She had talked to Cundertol about potentially signing with them in the offseason. They knew how to win. They had the best players. Why wouldn’t they win was the question.

But they could definitely do this. It was a slim chance, she knew, but they could win. They were at home, playing in front of their own crowd. That had to count for something. They were switching up the uniforms in hopes that might trigger something different. The Packer game gave them motivation to do better, because the week before they had murdered Hapes. They had the talent and the strength. What they were missing was the confidence.

So she had to scramble for something to say before the tide got out of control. “Um . . . yeah, I do.”

“Then what’s the plan?” Leia pressed. “I want to beat the Miners real badly.”

“I thought you were a Miner at heart,” Christine said.

“I am . . . but after losing the Commissioner’s Trophy to them, they’re just another team in our way. And they took that trophy from us, something we deserved. I’m not going to let them take a victory lap, even though my father played for them.”

“Well said,” Christine commented. “Now, I need to know you’re all with me. Today’s gonna be tough. The Miners are going to think that they always win against us. And they have that track record coming in. I’ve had to hear all week about how we don’t have a shot today. That the Miners are going to walk all over us. But we can’t let them do that. Today we stand up to them, stand our ground against the bullies of the league. It’s time that someone brings them back down to reality. So let that be our goal today. We’re going to come out with a vengeance, one that will bury them. Yeah, they’ll be buried six feet under when we’re done with them. We’re going to blitz them with offense, beat them up with defense, and hold our ground in the midfield. That goal will be the impenetrable fortress today. We won’t let them score, we will score on them, and we will win this game. I know we aren’t playing for the postseason, and many of us face uncertain futures after the season is over and contracts are up, but come on, this game’s more than just one in the standings. This is a revenge game for us. Go out there and take from the Miners what they took from us. We’ll take their pride from them, and stick it back in their faces. Got that?”

There were some nods from the crowd. But she still sensed that something was missing. “What is wrong here?” she finally asked, putting her hands on her hips like a stern lecturer would.

“I think we need a song,” Gal Avant said from his spot in the back of the room.

“Kill me,” said someone in the crowd in a muttered tone.

And so Avant started to regale the “Hero’s Journey” song from a popular Holo show, one starring a guy who kinda looked like him but definitely wasn’t his twin brother.



He was missing two-thirds of the song, and had to change some of the lyrics to be more applicable to the situation. Half the team got up to leave, and some snickered. But to Christine, even though the song was annoying, maybe it was something they needed.

She went to the coaches and talked to them about an idea she had. It would require a certain outcome to the game, but she wouldn’t tell her teammates. This was her little secret to keep until they won the game. And they could win this time, she could feel it. They had lost enough times already that the Limmie Gods would have to give them favor for once in this series.

When the team hit the field, the strains of the “Hero’s Journey” were still ringing in Christine’s ears. Yes it was stupid, yes the song kinda sucked, but this in a way was their journey, their call to adventure. It was time to beat the enemy that had kicked them down for so long. It was past time to finally beat their tormentors and make them feel the pain.

After the coin toss and possession was awarded, Christine got to her starting spot and glared down her matchup. It was go time, and today she would not let up. This was their adventure, their quest for glory. And bragging rights for a year.

TAG: Trieste

 

IC: Bat Vigo

Richard Vigo’s Office Financial Square Arena Cambrielle, Ralltiir

“Nice office,” Kelli Sen complimented with a whistle.

“It’s my brother’s,” I replied. “I wanted to call and find out your strategy for the upcoming game against the Thunder. Niels had a breakout performance last week. Still I think you should have utilized Yolanda’s skills more. The home crowd loves her, make sure she’s open more this week.”

“And here I thought you were calling to congratulate us on the win,” Sen answered sarcastically.

“It was a great win,” I assured her. “You and I both know the developmental team’s goal isn’t to win every game. What you and Coach Zan are doing down there is fantastic. Second best offense and second best defense in the league. Out of four losses three of them were by only one point. You are developing some great players. I could use a few of them as teammates in a year or two. ’80 is going to be a big free agency year for the Starkillers.”

I watched as Sen rolled her eyes. No one believed that Allin or Fortune would actually leave the franchise. As spouses of my father’s daughters they actually owned shares of the team. If I was honest with myself I wasn’t even sure Allin understood he had a right to more earnings at any time. I just figured that it was Richard or my mother’s position to tell him, not mine.

“Hovechar’s contract ends at the end of this season,” I reminded Sen. “And both Knott twins were taken in free agency and only signed for two years each, meaning you need to be really pushing your midfielders. There’s going to be interest, especially with the Starkillers doing so well this season.”

“You’re forgetting Tory,” Sen reminded me. “His contract is up as well and after your performance this week he might not be able to squeeze back into the starting line-up. I know Yolanda sells tickets here, but what she really wants and deserves is to play in the ELL.”

“All the more reason for you to work on getting her open this week,” I urged. “Take Teaspoon out of the goal box too while you’re at it. I think Mort deserves a chance at playing keeper. If a few balls get by him you can always put Teaspoon back in.”

“You just said a minute ago that we were playing well. Second best defense in the league. I think we should keep Teaspoon in.”

“I just told you to give Mort the start this week,” I repeated. “If it goes that badly I’ll take full responsibility for the loss.”

“Whatever you say Boss. You planning to come back to Tatooine? Who’s going to run this franchise next season?”

“That hasn’t been decided yet,” I answered honestly. There was a lot to be discussed when the season ended. Personally I wanted to promote Sen to GM, but it was a family business and we had to come to a decision as a family. For all I knew the Starkillers would draft or bring in a better forward than myself and send me back to the Sandskimmers. “I’m nominating you for the position,” I allowed. “Don’t let on to anyone that I told you,” I said allowing myself to smile.

“You got it Boss,” she said returning the smile. “Practice is about to start. Call back anytime. We miss you.”

I didn’t want to admit that I missed Tatooine. So I didn’t. I cut the line and headed for the parking lot. It was evening here on Ralltiir. I wanted to see my girls before they went to bed.

---

IC: Ty Allin

Downtown Promenade Cambrielle, Ralltiir

I had just received my first payout for the commercials I had done earlier in the season. I walked excitedly into the jewelry shop where I had purchased Lucie’s ring 5 years ago. I brought up a holo of Lucie’s ring on my data pad and showed it to the woman behind the counter. “I want to update my wife’s engagement ring,” I explained.

The woman excitedly showed me her high end selection. There were so many to choose from. I tried to remember Justyne’s advice. She had told me to go elegant not flashy. They all pretty much looked the same to me. My eyes wandered to the other displays and then I saw it.

Spoiler

“How much for this one?” I asked pointing at it.

The woman behind the counter frowned. “That’s a nice ring, but not an engagement ring. You want one of these sir,” she encouraged bringing some rings up above the counter with ridiculously large stones.

She knew who I was and she knew I had credits. She wanted me to spend them. Coming in I thought credits were the way back into Lucie’s heart. It had been difficult since the kidnapping or the fight before it. I looked again at the star shaped ring. Lucie and I had met on the Starkillers field, the ring was perfect. “I’ll take this one,” I said pointing again at the ring.

“All right sir,” the woman said reluctantly. I walked out of the store with a spring in my step. I would save the ring until the end of the season. It was a surprise for our wedding anniversary. Just knowing how surprised Lucie would be gave me an edge as I boarded the shuttle to Nar Shadda the following morning.

To my surprise Lucie was on the shuttle too. I thought she would want to stay home with T.J. after what they had been through. She had insisted that changing our plans would be letting the bad guys win. I didn’t argue with her, because I liked having her on the shuttle. Even if we didn’t sit beside each other. Before games coach liked to keep the team focused. I sat with Noah and Poletin. We talked ball some. We also downloaded a comedy that my wife would not have appreciated. All in all it was a good trip to Nar Shadda. I stepped on the field determined to make the plays I needed so that our ride home could be just as high spirited.

Tag: No one

 

IC: Romo Crowley
Monarchs Stadium, Ryell, Rydonni Prime
279 ELL Week 8, Monarchs vs Smugglers, (23-23, OT 26-29)


Vengeance! Yes, vengeance belonged to the Monarchs once again. For the second season in a row, the runner-up Monarchs avenged their Galactic Cup loss against the nefarious Smuggers of Nar Shaddaa. Last season they marched into Six Boroughs Stadium, stymied the high octane offense of their nemesis, recorded their second of four shutdowns for the season, and reclaimed their pride after dropping their first ever Galactic Cup appearance in 276. This time around it was vastly different.

The loss of their second Galactic Cup bid to the same dastardly desperados was very much fresh in the memories of the Monarchs. Only two members of the current squad were not personally present for the tremendous trouncing the Solo Conference Champions suffered. Four members in total, when you count the newly appointed Middie and Half Back coaches, were spared from having to sit on the sidelines of Euceron Stadium and watch as the silver-tongued Commissioner handed the Galactic Cup over to the burgundy and black… again.

As the Smugglers entered Monarchs Stadium they were greeted with signs from the Army of Sixteen bearing sayings such as, “THE CORE SHALL RISE AGAIN!” and “THE CHAMPIONS OF THE CORE NEVER FORGET!”. Loudly they sang their song reminding the visitors “That the Monarchs Go Rolling Along!” The crowd had already been worked up into a frenzy and the home team had yet to enter the pitch. The noise level in the stadium was so loud that the familiar tones of Beck Frankmann, the Voice of the Monarchs, could barely be heard when he announced the starting of “The M Fanfare” before “Victors” was played. The Monarchs stormed out on to the pitch to the exuberantly exclaiming crowd of Monarch faithful.

But that excitement was quickly extinguished after the opening kickoff went to the Smugglers. Romo opted to put in their starting line up from two weeks prior, the standard formation of 6-2-6. Before a quarter of the match was complete the visitors were out to a fourteen point lead, the barrage slowed to three over the bar points. At the half the score stood at a staggering 17-0. Romo was beside himself in anger an frustration.

“What in the Nine Hells is going on out there?” he stormed into the dressing room. He was the only coach in the room as he ordered his assistants to remain outside. “Every time we brought the bolo down the field what did we do with it? Does anybody ruddy know what we did each and every single time we limmied down the field?!?” The players all sat in embarrassed silence, “Nobody?!? What? Are you too scared to answer? Or are your heads so far up your fourth point of contact that YOU’VE COMPLETELY MISSED WHAT HAS HAPPENED FOR THE PAST 30 MINUTES!?!” His anger boiled over and he shoved a Gundarkade cooler off a table, spilling its entire contents right down the floor between the dressing stalls.

Sheepishly Liddy Powe spoke up, “We’ve turned it…”

“OVER!” he didn’t even let her finish before continuing his tirade, “CORRECT-A-MUNDO!” He activated the holoscreen behind him, “First possession… Intercetion. Second possession… Fumble. Third possession… Penalty. Fourth possession… PENALTY. Fifth and sixth possessions… both Interceptions. Seventh possession… the karkin’ clock run out on us!” The holoscreen replayed each possession in turn, he paused one play in particular. Rew had the bolo on his foot, mere meters from the goal when he slipped up and let it trickle right to the Smuggler defender. “Tell me Ileo, are you just clumsy or were you looking for a new and creative way for giving the ball back to the our opponents?”

Romo took a moment and collected his thoughts before continuing on, “Rew you’re benched for the remainder of the match. As a matter of fact, don’t even come out of the dressing room. Everyone else, just go out there and… have fun. We are just playing a game after all.”

The second half was vastly different. The Monarchs who walked out onto the field in the second half were completely different. They jumped out to a fast start, scoring almost from the opening seconds of the half. After trading a pair of goals with the Smugglers , the Monarchs came back with twenty unanswered points in the closing quarter. Tied at 23 points apiece, Romo called a time out and gathered his players around him to draw up the final play for the closing seconds.

With everyone around him and the crowd roaring behind them Romo shouted loud and clear one single instruction, “Form a Frakkin’ Wall!” and that’s what they did. Every player that they could legally cram on the defensive side of the field they did, forming a wall that kept the Smugglers off the board and sent the match into overtime.

From that point on everything was a bonus, win or lose, they came back to make the run-away a match. Winning was just the icing on the cake.


TAG: Vehn

 

IC: Aleyn Bray
Goss-Pell Memorial Stadium, O’phaz, Carratos

Aleyn didn’t know what to expect when he took his seat in the million capacity stadium but, he checked under it just to make sure it wasn’t going to kill him. Phil had kept him up to date about the team and who’s who. One thing that puzzled him was the location. If this ticket was a gift from the baroness, he expected something better that where he was, about middle of the field several feet up. He sat quietly as the place began filling up with black shirted fans, some with varying sizes of flag. A few Miners fans stood out in their bright blue and gold, the detective wondered what possessed some people to go far away from your home, to a known danger zone, just to watch a game.

Next to him a blue skinned female sat down, she wore a black long sleeve shirt with a black and white scarf. He paid no attention until the stranger dropped a com-link and a throat mic in his lap. His eyes moved to the woman confusion on his face.

“You’re going to need those,” a cold familiar voice said, for a moment he did couldn’t believe who was speaking.

“Well hello Baroness,” He replied with a nod of his head. He mic’d up and put the com-link in his ear. After syncing the devices the Baroness spoke again.

“I’m surprised you came.” Her voice rang clear in his head.

“I’m surprised you decided to slum it with us common folk.”

“Sometimes you want to do things yourself.”

“What do you want to do to me?”

“I don’t plan on harming you if that’s what you’re asking. I find you interesting, a good man in a bad system trying to make it right. A practice in futility but, you do it with such a zeal. It’s quite inspiring.”

“You always know exactly what to say to a guy to make him feel special.” Before Baroness could reply the announcer thundered over the in stadium speakers.

“All right Scallywags it’s time to get underway. Back on deck after successful raids on Rydonni Prime and Agamar, ready to send these Miners back underground, are, your, Carratos, Pirates!” The crowd burst into a collective ‘AAAAARRRRRRRRRRR’. The Baroness was unmoved. As the game it became apparent why she gave him the mic and com-link, in the middle of a million being stadium one could barely hear themselves think much less carry on a conversation. Seems she’d done this sort of thing before.

“On that point, you’re nothing special.” She continued as if nothing happened, “Every once in a while we get an idealist who wants to change the way things are done. They either get with the program or disappear.”

“You mean killed,” Aleyn said glaring at the being next to him.

“Maybe killed but, not by our hands, no one kills a Seccer unless it is approved by the OSF management.”

“What happens if a Seccer is killed without management’s blessing?”

“We all hurt, the OSF will throw out the rule book and it will be open season on criminals of every stripe. The last time it happened,” she paused “let’s just say that’s how I came to be in my current position.” The Pantoran shook her head, “No one want’s it to happen again. Everyone who benefitted is now the first to be taken down.”

“Do you think they’ll have my back if I go after Gaf Karastee?”

“Why are you asking me?”

“I believe you have a vested interest in having Karastee gone. He’s been coming after you for a while now and so far you’ve only taken pot shots at him.” She scowled,

“Things beyond my control currently prevent me from taking direct action against him.”

“I plan on taking him down or at the very least dismantling his operation in O’pahz but, I don’t want to do it without back up. I can’t trust the others in my precinct. I don’t know how deep Gaf’s influence is in the department. You I can trust he’s a threat to your business.”

“Well Aleyn, you’re learning the game fast. Now to your question, while the OSF will avenge your death they will do nothing to prevent it but, unless Karastee gets permission you’ll be safe.”

“Right now I don’t have much faith in OSF management.”

“Then you may want to find someone you do have faith in, or at least trust to not stab you in the back.”

“That’s a very short list.”

“I’m guessing just one, Valea Lozin,” He had thought about reaching out to the Cathar transplant but, he hesitated, he didn’t want to drag another good officer down with him. He paused for a bit. Checking the score he realized that the Pirates were taking a beating. A little part of him smiled. “Your silence is concerning.” Baroness said bringing Alyen back to the conversation.

“It’s complicated with Valea.” He said “As far as I can tell she’s a good seccer but, that’s the thing I don’t know much about her.”

“To be honest I don’t either, and I’ve done more than a little digging.” That statement sent up red flags in Aleyn’s mind, good officers were rarely secretive about their actions, unless she was some sort of undercover agent for the Republic. Then maybe he should trust her but, it’s just as likely her past holds something dark.

“I guess that just leaves you.” Baroness laughed.

“You expect me to help you, a boss helping an officer, you are crazy.”

“You want him gone just as much as I do,”

“I wouldn’t go that far Alyen. What you are suggesting is dangerous for you. If you miss you may not get another chance.”

“If you watch my back I think my odds of survival are fairly good.”

“You know I’m just as likely to stab you in it.”

“That’s a risk I’m willing to take. It’s not like I have better options.”

“You could drop this, go home to Coruscant and forget all about Carratos.”

“No,” he said setting his jaw, “That’s not an option, never was.”

TAG: No one

 

GM Post

HSN Morning Headlines

• Outrage at reports that the Chandrila Patriots are already lobbying the Elite League for Euceron’s place for the 280 season
• Reina Kether after scheduled practice: “Someone has to get it and the League needs a team with galaxy-wide draw like the Patriots to bolster the sport after this disaster.”
• Rurra Eshka’mos lampoons: “This is just...I don’t know what to say. Come on Chandrila: the Storm aren’t even officially out of the League. You’re supposed to be better than this. But now the League should clearly eliminate the Patriots from contention...and when they do...psst! Lokensgaard! There’s a great team on Stewjon you should check out who’d be an amazing fit for the League. Call me.”

---

What We Learned: Week 8

Everyone here at HSN has been incredibly saddened by the news of the Storm liquidation proceedings. They were not always the flashiest team, but they were solid and in recent years we had elevated them into the ranks of the “Big” teams with the likes of Bakura, Coruscant, and Nar Shaddaa--teams with much longer and more vaunted histories. This says a lot about the beings who led them into this era: Aebett Zargana, Aysel Yan’ii (we double checked that we spelled his name right), Chenkabukk, Chalporrin, and--most importantly--Marte Nalo, a Hall of Famer who, when others would have rested on past accomplishments, started a third career as a peace officer and ultimately defended Euceron Stadium with his life.

These beings deserve better than this ignominious end, but not every story in the Elite League is a fairy tale. But one group must be remembered above all: the Storm fans. They supported this team through good seasons and bad. If the Storm had been in a position to play on world, in our hearts we believe they would have rallied to their team like none other and absolutely would have done so in 280. They are the forgotten victims of this tragedy.

This is more sincerity than we usually display (don’t worry, snark is coming), but there are only a few events in the career of a journalist that come along like this. Attention must be paid.

Agamar Packers – With Ylesia, Euceron, and Denon left on the schedule, the Packers have two non-playoff teams and the Solo Conference surprise of the season. Playoffs? Doable.

Bakura Miners – These guys are still the Evil Empire. Boo hiss boo.

Carratos Pirates – A gamble doesn’t always pay out? What? Are you telling us that we shouldn’t have put all our credits on Lucky D to win?

Coruscant Senators – On the bright side, nothing like a blowout to get you pumped for a rivalry game, right?

Denon Demons – We’re no longer convinced that the Demons are all that scary after the C-Bucs game. Someone must have thrown some holy water on them or something. Get behind us Demons!

Euceron Storm – This just a sad, sad week.

Hapes Consortium Buccaneers – Wildly inconsistent limmie is a lot of fun to watch. It’s like an action holo--you never know what’s going to blow up next.

Mando’ade Mercs – Can we make #johnnylimmieing into a thing? Joking aside, this Mercs team has a lot going right for it. Ryi Kor’le has proved the doubters wrong.

Nar Shaddaa Smugglers – If the C-Bucs make the playoffs and the Smugglers don’t, what does that say about Meredith Chambers-Vayne as a coach? It’s not like anyone’s going to blame this on Roy Cardan or anything.

Ralltiir Starkillers – Nice going Starkillers. Now the rest of us looked bad when we showed up at Trey Till’s wedding reception with flatware as our wedding gift. How could we possibly compete with your gift of an OT win? I thought we all agreed on a 20 credit maximum?

Rydonni Prime Monarchs – Good news: the Monarchs got an important win for their playoff hopes. Bad news: they really could have used that kind of effort against the Smugglers in a certain game. (Sorry Setarcos, but we know you were thinking it too.)

Ylesia Lightning – Mirik, don’t fall for it! Draft another good forward! It was the Storm! It’s a trap!

P.S. – Reina Kether, you are a vulture of the worst sort. For Force sake, show some class. Go deflate your bolo-balls or record your opponents’ practice or do anything more classy than open your mouth.

TAG: Bardan_Jusik CPL_Macja galactic-vagabond422 jcgoble3 Jedi Gunny Rebecca_Daniels Runjedirun Tim Battershell Vehn

 

IC: Gark S’rily
Day Prior to Bakura Game

“Come in,” Gark said. Allie Orchetrada, his assistant GM, was there. She had requested a meeting with him. “Good to see you, Allie. What can I do for you?” the Bothan inquired.

“It’s my three-week notice,” Allie said. “I want to retire from the job.”

“What brought this on?”

“I want to spend more time with my son. And this job ended up being a little too much for me. I was never the front office type, and I only took over because Adanna moved on to Hapes. But it’s time that I move on with my life,” she said. Her son, Landen, was now in high school.

“Well, I’d love to convince you to stay, but I trust that you know what you’re doing,” Gark asked. Allie nodded.

“I have nothing but respect for the organization. You gave me a job, and a Cup title as coach. I will always remember how happy I was to win that title. But it’s time for me to move on to other things.”

“Can I offer you a less-strenuous job with the organization?” Gark asked. “I think we could come up with something. Something like . . . an advisor. Yeah, and advisor to the front office. What do you say? Would you like to stay on in a lesser capacity? Because I’d rather not lose you entirely. You’ve done a good job the last few years as assistant GM.”

“That would work for me. I just want to have more time to spend away from work.”

“Understandable,” Gark commented. “How do you think I feel? I’ve got a day job, plus this. It’s never easy to find family time.”

“And that’s what I want,” Allie said. “But I’ll take an advisor job.”

“Good. Do you have an idea for a replacement?” Gark prodded.

“How many old players can we ask to come back and fill the role?”

“Probably not as many as you think,” Gark said. “I know that Polis wants to be a coach for the foreseeable future, Dirxx is probably busy with his other stuff . . . that guy is still a salesman of cool . . . Moen isn’t interested, said so a few years ago . . . there’s really not anyone I can think of who’d be interested.”

“What about Helena?”

“Nah, she’s happy being a scout. Add in that she’s expecting a kid in a few months, and she won’t have the time.”

“Hm, I forgot about that,” Allie commented. “I suppose that Adanna is unavailable?”

“Probably,” Gark said. “The C-Bucs are in playoff position, even with the critics breathing down her neck. No, Adanna is probably gone for good.”

“Then I’m out of ideas,” Allie replied. “Maybe I’ll come up with some others at a later time.”

“We’ll have the postseason to figure this out, since it appears that we likely won’t be going,” Gark pointed out. “Gives us a few more weeks to get things ironed out.”

“That it does.”

When Allie left the office, Gark just sat back in his chair and sighed. Now he was going to be without an assistant GM for a while. It made him think about his own job. Being a GM was rough, and while he had done that for a long time, he wasn’t stoked about doing everything once again. Having an assistant was a luxury he had grown accustomed to, and now lacking one would put extra strain on his shoulders. Besides, he had other stuff to get to in his life. He had stadium thieves to catch, which his team of field agents was working on, a full-time CEO job, and a family that likely wanted him home more often. So things were stockpiling against him, and not all in a good way.

And it was at this point that the thought crept into Gark’s mind for the first time ever. What if it was time that he take Allie’s cue and give up the reins of the team? He had been GMing so long that it seemed like he would never leave, but then again, when he started this job his life had been simpler. He hadn’t been running Andromeda. He hadn’t been married or had children to take care of. He hadn’t been worried about a stadium whose security issues were giving him fits. Back then, things had been a lot easier. But now his plate was exceedingly full, and he thought that maybe, just maybe, it was time that he started to consider retirement. To leave the Senators seemed unthinkable, but for a man like him, he had accomplished everything he had set out to do with the team, and a lot more. They had won two titles with him at the helm, they had made the postseason many times, and won a dozen playoff games.

But perhaps it was time to throw in the towel after four straight rough years. 278, while it looked promising at first, had gone down in flames, and a winless 277 season still haunted Senators fans everywhere. This year was no better, and there was little chance they would get anywhere near the postseason conversation with their dreadful conference record. Four straight bum years, four straight years where the once-mighty Senators were no longer fearsome or mighty. The only mighty thing about them was the value of some of the contracts signed by their players. The heat that he was taking was growing every year; fans who had once adored him now wanted him to get his paws off the running of the team, to let someone competent run things. He had brought their team back from the brink of demotion, and yet how were they thanking him? Nonstop coverage of asking whether the great Gark S’rily was any good in the business anymore. A dozen years of utter dominance now no longer satisfied some of the fans. They were still doing good business at the gate and in merchandise sales, but undoubtedly there was some dissent in the ranks of the fanbase.

He felt overwhelmed and confused by why things weren’t working out. Was it time to retire from the job after all these years? Who would replace him if he decided to hang it up? Who could replace him? Who would replace Allie, for that matter? Would he be selling out on those who still remained loyal to the team after all the lean years? There were just more questions to ask than answers, and Gark knew it would only lead to a headache. But the thoughts would remain there the rest of the day.

Did he still have it in him to create good Limmie teams, or was it time that the Magic Bothan finally give it up and move on?

TAG: No One

 

IC: Lilly Vehn
Druckenwell (Several Weeks Earlier)

Lilly wiped tears from her eyes and departed the Ypres family residence feeling a terrible emptiness inside her soul. This wasn’t what she’d wanted to do. To tell someone’s family that the very name she wore as a matter of pride had become a name of hate and cold-calculation, a name of regret,a name of resentment.

As she boarded the shuttle, she kept telling herself that the truth needed to be told. That she had done the right thing.

She just didn’t feel very good about telling the truth. Not this time.

Not like this.

Now she’d started a war.

Now she had blood on her hands.

---

Rydonni Prime

Monarchs Stadium.

The place where Smugglers went to die.

At least, they died in the regular season.

Lilly knew that her team was struggling this year. Maybe it was miscommunication between Meredith and her coordinators. Maybe it was the devastating injury to McCloud that killed the offense. Maybe it was the trade she’d made with the Coruscant Senators sending Zen Keisel, a staunch defensive back, to the capital planet of the galaxy in exchange for the Hapan firestorm Becki Morlan. Either way, it was clear to ‘The Crew’ and Nar Shaddaa that Lilly Vehn was very much finding her way this season. She was still trying to make her mark. She was simply trying to get through the rigors of another Elite League fight to the finish line.

The Monarchs fought hard. Played like all get out. Lilly could hear the Smuggler players moaning, some thankful that the Monarchs hadn’t brought this kind of effort in the two Finals that had given the Smugglers a leg up on the entire league in Cup wins. Maybe the Monarchs were a good team. Sure, they were rounding into form, but the playoffs were another beast entirely. Rydonni Prime didn’t need to look in the mirror on their mixed playoff journeys. They wanted to move forward.

Good for them.

When the game ended Lilly knew it was time to shake hands with her Solo Conference foes. She respected Rydonni Prime. They’d fought hard in every match up that counted. Even the Finals they’d shown that spirit, that fighting force, that was unique to this world. They were a rare breed. Yes, Rydonni Prime had earned their stripes. They’d earned the respect of the burgundy and black. Smugglers players visited with their Monarchs counterparts after the game and there existed a feeling of mutual respect if not friendship.

Go Rydonni Prime.

Go blue and gold.

---

Nar Shaddaa

“We have three games left in the season,” Meredith Chambers-Vayne explained in her weekly meeting with Lilly and Roy Cardan.

“We’d be lucky to break .500,” Roy grumbled.

“I don’t see the defense helping us out much this year,” Meredith said.

“Schemes, Meredith. All schemes,” Roy replied.

“You say that all you want but people are getting upset. We’re losing ticket sales because we’re not consistent,” Lilly explained.

“One deflated season isn’t going to kill us,” Meredith cautioned.

“A series of them will. Just ask Roy. He’ll tell you all about the 11 year drought in between championships back in the 250s,” Lilly said.

“Those were dark times indeed,” Roy replied.

Lilly sighed and thrust her hands into her pockets. She lowered her head and let her hair fall down around her. She was beaten. She was tired. There were still three games left in the season.

“I want you two to do something for me,” Lilly asked.

“I don’t like the way this sounds,” Meredith replied.

“Don’t you suggest what I think you’re thinking,” Roy threatened.

“I want you to tank our season. We need a good draft this year. We need another 276,” Lilly insisted.

“I am not going to ask my players to quit on the season!” Meredith challenged.

“Are you out of your frakking mind?” Roy asked.

For once the two were actually in agreement about something. That was remarkable. That was profound.

Lilly sat down in her chair and then smiled. “I’m just kidding, guys. I wanted to see if you would work together on something. I see there are some things you two can find mutual agreement on.”

“That was not funny,” Meredith replied.

“But it worked and it may have just saved our season,” Lilly replied.

Roy threw up his hands and grumbled, “Let’s go, Merry go round, we have a game to plan for against Ralltiir….”

Tag: Runjedirun

 

GM Post

The nomination period for the ELL 279 All-Star Game is now open. Please fill out the following nomination roster for your team only:

Head Coach: (I probably know this already, but throw it in there just to be safe)
Goalkeeper:
Defender:
Defender:
Defender:
Midfielder:
Forward:
Forward:
Forward:

Voting will begin on February 1 so please have all your nominations to me by January 31. If you don't, I will choose your worst players and put them on the ballot for you. Thanks!

TAG: Bardan_Jusik CPL_Macja galactic-vagabond422 jcgoble3 Jedi Gunny Rebecca_Daniels Runjedirun Tim Battershell Vehn

 

IC: Geoff Copin
Denon

Geoff stood on the balcony of his parent’s condo staring out in the direction of Denon Gardens. He wondered how many times he said that he was going to play in that stadium as a kid. Never did it cross his mind back then that he would play against his home team. As a child he dreamed of wearing black and purple on the pitch of the Gardens, pretty much like every kid on Denon. He never got that chance not after the injury. A part of him still wondered what could have been, one step to the right and his limmie career would have survived that hit. If that had happen he could be on the other side of this fight, the home town hero playing against the young rockets, but these were just fantasies. He wouldn’t have met Laura and have two wonderful daughters if he continued to play.

Geoff’s father walked out with a bottle of Rancor Killer and two glasses in his hand. The elder Copin set the glasses down on a small table and poured an equal measure of the local whiskey into each. He offered one to Geoff,

“No thanks, dad” He said sitting down in a chair next to his father. Beinn Copin shrugged his shoulders and took a sip from his cup.

“You ready for the game tomorrow?” He asked leaning back in his chair.

“As ready as I can be, you going to be there?”

“Of course buddy, got the tickets as soon as I saw the schedule,”

“Will mom be able to make it? She didn’t look too good at dinner.”

“Your mother just needs a little rest she’ll be well enough to go. She doesn’t want to miss it.” Silence took over the conversation.

“She’s not getting better is she?” Geoff said after a bit.

“Buddy, her pain is manageable, that’s the best we can hope for at least for now.”

“I thought the new doctor could help but, she still came to the door in her braces.”

“She still needs those so she’s not dislocating constantly. You know this isn’t the type of thing that can be cured.”

“I just wish she had a better life than what she has now, she deserves it.”

“I know buddy, I know.” Beinn waited for a moment or two then started again. “So, you sticking to the ‘All In’ strategy against the Demons?” Geoff smiled

“How do I know you won’t run straight to Edgar Mevers tomorrow morning with everything I tell you?”

“I won’t tell a soul, promise, besides the Demon’s front office is just as likely to suspect subterfuge as they would aid.”

“Yeah, we plan to keep using the ‘All In’”

“Even after it go destroyed by the Miners?”

“Hey they got lucky,”

“And you didn’t change your stagey, even when you knew it had failed.”

“Well I’ll admit that I didn’t have much to fall back on the offensive side but, the ‘All In’ got Carratos to the top of the league.”

“And now that it has been broken, you’ll be dropped to last in the league in short order if nothing changes.”

“I have a backup plan if anything starts going wrong. We practiced alternate schemes for when the ‘All In’ falls flat.”

“You should have done that from the beginning. Then you wouldn’t have lost so hard.”

“Yeah I know but, it had been working out fine for the last few games so I saw no reason to change.”

“You got complacent, and it took you down.”

“You got me there. This game will be better. We just need to bounce back. This is the perfect game to do it.”

“Really up against the second best team in the Solo, they aren’t going to be pushovers.” Beinn took another sip.

“They may have a few wins under their belt but we’re still better,”

“In points scored maybe but, the Demons have the best defense and are ahead of you in point differential.”

“Only by a bit and after this game they’ll fall.”

“Buddy I like your confidence but, I worry it might be displaced. This isn’t the Storm you’re facing. This is a hardened team that fought their way through the Premier league to get back to the Elite. Not like your team that was handed the promotion.”

“Come on dad, don’t talk like that. We proved we deserve to be here this year.”

“Yes you proved you have the talent but, do you have the grit to take losses in stride, even terrible ones? The Pirates looked on the verge of collapse toward the end of the Miners game.”

“Don’t doubt us dad we’ll surprise you, we’re not the same team from last year, we’re going to make the playoffs, and we just might win the Commissioner’s Trophy as well.”

“That’ll be a good piece of hardware for your team but, it’s still not the GC and even if you do win there’s still the next year. Look at what happened to the Lightning or the Senators.”

“I know but, I’ll have this team for at least two more years before their contracts expire so I don’t see consistency being a problem for a while.”

“You wanna’ talk about consistency? You went from last to first this year I’d say that’s a little inconsistent.”

“Nah, we were just maturing our first year and figuring out how tough this league was,”

“They don’t call it the Elite League for nothing Bud,”

“Got that message loud and clear last year and against the Senators.” Geoff leaned back and looked to Denon Gardens in the distance. “So you going to wear black and purple, or black and white?” His father raised an eyebrow.

“Son I love you very much and, I’m proud of the man you’ve become but, I’ve been a Demons fan since my father took me to my first game when I was twelve, It’s going to take a lot to get me to root against them.”

“Fair enough,” They sat staring out into the distance for a few moments more before being called in by their wives.
________________________________________________________________________
Denon Gardens, Denon

Geoff’s hands shook a little as he stood on the sideline. The two teams took to the field ready to play. Across the pitch Edgar Mevers bowed his head a little, Geoff responded in kind, his heart fluttering a bit. He felt a little bad facing his father’s, and if he was honest, his home team. He had to remind himself that he wasn’t facing the team from his youth. These were just fifteen beings wearing matching clothes. Not a team he’d loved since his father took him to see his first game in this very stadium. Yeah, no divisions here.

TAG: No One

 

IC: Setarcos Rhemes
GM’s Office, Monarchs Stadium, Rydonni Prime
After ELL Week 8

The news of the Storms imminent demise shook the foundation of every team in the ELL. The Monarchs were in a similar situation not too long ago. Luckily, when half of the Monarchs Stadium was destroyed there wasn’t an outstanding note to the largest bank in the system. They came even closer after having only a total of four wins over the span of two seasons. Once again, they were lucky to have two championship runs to help refill the coffers. Then again they weren’t exactly flush with credits either.

But the Euceron situation and the Monarchs potential credit-flow problem wasn’t what prompted his current meeting.

Setarcos could only shake his head. While reviewing one clip after another, all the General Manager could do was shake his head. The only other occupant of the office stood in silence as Setarcos viewed the game holos. “So did you honestly expect no one to notice?”

“Well…”

“No, No, No… don’t speak. That was a rhetorical question.” Setarcos continued to watch the clips in disgust. He had had his suspicions all season long, but the last two matches confirmed it for him. Of course he wasn’t the only one who had his suspicions. Romo noticed something was not right last season, but now he had hard, concrete evidence that the accused could not deny. “You realize that this is about as Junior League of a stunt that anyone could possibly pull, right?”

The accused stood silent.

“What made you think that you could pull something like this?” Setarcos turned off the vid-feed and turned toward the young man that stood on the opposite side of his desk. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

The young man still didn’t say anything.

“Well? Do you?”

Finally, Rew broke his silence, “I’m not entirely sure what I am being accused of?”

“Seriously Rew?” Setarcos was immediately on his feet, “Do you really want to play the dumb card with me right now?”

Rew hung his head in shame, not mentioning a word once again.

“How long have you been shaving points?” The act of point shaving wasn’t inherently illegal, because trading goals for points didn’t necessarily mean that you were trying to lose the game on purpose. But what the Monarchs Full Forward was doing cost them at least two if not three matches this season, and possibly some matches last season. Typically this type of activity wasn’t something found in the upper echelons of professional sports. Usually it was confined to collegiate sports, a way for student athletes to make some extra money on the side. “Come on Rew. You realize that I could have you brought up on charges for this.”

“But… but….”

“Our Chief Legal Officer might be off-planet, but I was still able to clear this with him.” Setarcos walked over and poured himself a drink, “Now, I’m not going to do that… yet. What I am going to do is bench you, for the remainder of the season, without pay.”

“You can’t do that. I’m one of the owners.”

“Not anymore… you’re going to step down or I’ll release our findings to the players union… of course you can spare yourself some of this if you tell me who put you up to this? Who benefited from your activity?” There was one name that Setarcos was looking for, just one. If the right name came out of Ileo’s lips, Setarcos wouldn’t have to worry about the next three weeks if the Monarchs were going to win the majority of their matches. But he didn’t get just one name, he got two.

“Jimmy and Al,” Rew started to cry, sniffing back his tears, “They told me how many points, which way, and against who. They told me that if I did this for them, they would pay off my brothers’ and sisters’ student loan debts and give me some extra cheese for my efforts.”

Brow furrowed in confusion Setarcos turned to him, “Who the frak are Jimmy and Al?”

“I don’t know, all I knew is that I could find them in one place… The Claymore Hotel on the coast.”

That was all that Setarcos needed… for now.


TAG: No one, except anyone who is following my Setarcos storyline.

 

GM Post

HSN Morning Headlines

• Senators announce that Allie Orchetrada, assistant General Manager, will retire from post at the end of the season. No confirmation if she will leave the organization, or will stay on in a different role.
• Orchetrada: "I am honored to have been a part of the front office of this fine organization for several seasons, and I look forward to the next stage of my life, wherever it takes me."
• Senators currently looking for replacement, and are contacting interested parties.
• Gark S'rily, Senator GM: "We want to make sure that we find the right candidates who will fit in the culture here. We will not rush the process".
• Rumors circulate that S'rily is potentially looking for successor in search after anonymous source leaks info on YSPN (Your Sports Network) Network Holo site. Rumors include his retirement after end of season.
• S'rily, on rumors of imminent retirement. "I will have to do an inventory of where I and the organization am after the season, and then go from there. I would also have to ask my family on what they would like for me to do. But the likelihood of me retiring this year are slim to none".
• Jenna Leed, assistant captain of Senators, announces intent to retire at end of season.
• Leed: "I have done everything I could hope for in a career. My biggest regret is not winning a Galactic Cup, but my body says it's time to hang up my spikes".
• Pending free agent corner forward Maximus Qorbus and Senators have met to negotiate and sign new contract. Nothing confirmed as of yet.

---

Week 9. Per the instructions of jcgoble3, Euceron has now become an NPC team for the remainder of the season to reflect its current situation. They will not be included in bonus rolls for the remainder of 279. That means bonus rolls today for Bakura, Carratos, Coruscant, Mando'ade, Nar Shaddaa, Ralltiir, and Rydonni Prime.

Week 9 Results
Ralltiir Starkillers at Nar Shaddaa Smugglers (34-10)
Agamar Packers at Ylesia Lightning (5-18)
Euceron Storm at Mando’ade Mercs (9-21)
Carratos Pirates at Denon Demons (24-17)
Rydonni Prime Monarchs at Hapes Consortium Buccaneers (12-0)
Bakura Miners at Coruscant Senators (34-0)

TAG: Bardan_Jusik CPL_Macja galactic-vagabond422 jcgoble3 Jedi Gunny Rebecca_Daniels Runjedirun Tim Battershell Vehn

 

Sub-GM Post

Bonus rolls this week to (points in parentheses): Byblos (28), Concordia (28), Druckenwell (28), Tatooine (30), and Thyferra (30).

Limmie Futures League – Week 9
Thyferra Force at Gallinore Firedrakes (3–19)
Garqi Gunners at Druckenwell Marksmen (23–9)
Eriadu Thunder at Tatooine Sandskimmers (13–4)
Byblos Red Wings at Concordia Crusaders (27–3)

TAG: CPL_Macja Bardan_Jusik Vehn Rebecca_Daniels Tim Battershell Runjedirun Jedi Gunny

 

IC: Rocket Richaud
Gesco City, Bakura



Rocket walked back from the bar in a daze. A shutout. A shutout. A shutout of the Coruscant Senators.

Did it get any better than that in the regular season? No, it didn’t. It absolutely didn’t.

The Senators came out in their orange uniforms with a lot of energy. Something had gotten them pumped before the game. The commentators had said that Peet Carelle was a high energy coach, that he revved his teams up, and Rocket believed it. It didn’t matter if the playoffs were a long shot, if not out of reach, for the Senators. They were ready. For the second time this season, the Miners were seeing Keisel thanks to the Coruscant-Nar Shaddaa trade. He had been a beast in the fog and she expected to see him bring the same intensity against the Miner offense today.

Coruscant came out swinging, but the Miner defense stood them up right from the start. Hervey, who had not been the strongest link in the back 6 this season, in particular stood out well, displaying good chemistry with Trieste. When the Senators got penetration, Comstock stopped them cold.

It had seemed like every Miner stop became an opportunity for the blue and gold. Much like they had at Carratos, they flipped the field quickly and rushed the Senator defense. Camille Montes, who had a history of playoff losses to the Miners, got ravaged by the fast and strong Miner attack.

The details of the game after that weren’t important. It had just been a tough game for the Senators. Rocket had stayed not just to see the Miners retain the Rosewood Gavel, but for a more important reason. It had been the reason the entire bar had stayed on their edge of their seats.

No one said it. Rocket certainly didn’t. The commentators didn’t say it. Every time Sadie began a word with “sh” Rocket clamped a hand over her friend’s mouth. But they were all thinking it.

And when the buzzer sounded, the team rushed not for the Gavel, but to the front of their goal. They mobbed and then Hervey, singlehandedly, lifted and put Lizbit Comstock so the rest of the team could carry her off the field. She had recorded her second career shutout, making her the only Miner goalkeeper of the Silver Age to record two. To her memory, only Ozzie of the Monarchs--next week’s opponent in the Schedule of Death--had two career shutouts in the Silver Age. Last season Lizbit had surpassed Elke Andwol for the most shutouts and shutdowns with the Miners. But to have a second shutout to her name in such a young career…

Rocket couldn’t believe it. No wonder Cundertol had paid up without complaint when her draft contract expired. The Smug Dragon had known what he was doing.

She took a deep breath of the crisp afternoon Gesco air. It was invigorating. Yes, the Miners had bested the orange today.

Thump.

The black got Rocket.

---

Blurs. Aching. Resistance. Sharp pain. Not much light.

These were the first things that Rocket were able to comprehend with any kind of certainty, and even that was tenuous. Awareness was slow to return to her. The pain was the only thing she could really comprehend. It was in the back of her head, demanding attention. Eventually, other senses came back to her, the first of which being sight.

Or so she thought. Before her was a hallucination. It was a man, and half of his face wasn’t real. Was it the pain or some kind of hangover from the drinking she’d done at the bar during the game? This had never happened to her before.

Rocket went to reach for the back of her head, but she couldn’t. That was weird. She tried again and this time she realized something was stopping her from doing so.

“Binders.”

She looked up at the hallucination. Of course. Binders. Wait, binders? Why would she have binders on?

“What’s...going on here?” Rocket asked groggily, her speech coming back to her, but not easily.

“You and I have a mutual acquaintance. Ginnifer Lynd.”

The hallucination was sitting in a chair, backwards. Rocket was sitting too. What did Ginnifer Lynd have to do with anything?

“I think I need to give you another minute.” The hallucination didn’t have much in the way of inflection in his voice. Deadpan was the way Rocket would describe it. Was that the right word?

Rocket tried to move again, but once again found herself more than a little restricted. In fact, this was become disturbing--especially because more and more awareness was coming back to her. Alarm was fluttering into her chest.

“What’s going on here?” Rocket asked, realizing that this might not be a dream after all. She was starting to realize that this was very real.

“A few days ago, you demanded payment of gambling debts from Ginnifer Lynd. These debts are due in a few days. I am asking you to forgive those debts.”

“Look, whoever you are, they aren’t mine to forgive. What have you done?”

“I knocked you out on the street, brought you here, bound you, and waited for you to wake up so we could have this discussion,” he said in his gravelly voice, but oddly normal, as if he had just been telling Rocket that he’d gone to the grocery store to buy eggs, a loaf of bread, and blue milk, “What happens now is that you go back to whoever you’re working for and tell them that they don’t need to worry about Ginnifer Lynd. She’s closed her account and all debts have been paid.”

“I don’t know who you think you’re dealing with, but the beings I work for don’t operate like that. Lynd needs hand over the credits she owes or bad things are going to happen.”

“If you persist in this line, bad things are definitely going to happen,” the man said. That was when Rocket saw the blaster in his hand. She went cold. That was not a prop. That was for use...on her.

“Ginnifer Lynd does not have the credits to pay her debts. It’s going to be best for everyone involved if we all just walk away from this.” The implied threat that otherwise someone might not walk away, that someone being Rocket, was not lost on her.

“Look, I would if I could,” Rocket said, her mind whirling, “but I can’t. I’m just the collector. Lynd knew the risks when she signed up. She shouldn’t have messed with her collateral.”

“And you shouldn’t have threatened her,” the man said, rising, “If you won’t do anything to remedy the situation, then there’s really only one thing to do.”

Rocket’s eyes locked onto the blaster. That was when the fear hit her. It grabbed her chest, clutching tight at her. Her breathing came faster, her eyes got wide.

“Please, please, don’t. It’s not my fault,” Rocket begged.

“It never is.” He raised the blaster and slipped a catch. What was that, stun setting to kill?

Rocket wanted to be brave, but she wasn’t. She was nothing of what you saw in the holos when heroines were in these situations. She was scared...and she was angry.

“You…” she said, the word sliding out of her mouth like an insult. He said nothing in return. “You don’t even know why I do this.”

“Credits,” he guessed, though there wasn’t much of a question in his voice.

“I work hard. I play by the rules. And no bank in the city is going to give me a loan to buy a house without a down payment. A down payment I don’t have after years of working and saving. Of doing everything right.” Rocket was shaking in her restraints now, part from fear, part from rage. “And now some rich girl goes and fraks up and I’m supposed to pay for it? Some Trieste who’s got everything? Huh? How is the galaxy fair when life is like that?”

“No one ever said it was fair.”

“And why are you doing this? Isn’t it just about credits for you too? Isn’t that why you’re holding a blaster in my face? Because her family paid you to take care of me?”

“I never said that.”

Rocket laughed. She felt stupid doing it, but she laughed all the same. It came from something inside of her that she couldn’t control. “You know, you haven’t thought this out, have you? Neither of you. Has she told you who she was betting with? Rossum. They’re huge. Even if you kill me, they’ll find you. They’ll probably kill you. Not because they care about me, but to make a point to anyone else who tries to initmidate them. And they’ll definitely release what they’ve got on Lynd to the press. Her life will be ruined. And she’ll deserve it. There’s nothing you can do to stop that.”

The man with the half face looked away for a few seconds. Thinking? Maybe.

“No. There is.”

He swung around and fired.

---

It was the same process again. Gradually regaining senses. A dim awareness of where she was…of events was now coming back to her. Somehow, the first thing she thought of was Lizbit Comstock on her teammates’ shoulders. Then came the man with the blaster.

And this time, she was unbound, lying on the floor of the room. She only now became aware of the room. It was empty, but somewhat familiar. Rocket got up on her hands and knees, shaking the cobwebs away.

A stun bolt. He must have hit her with a stun bolt to put her out. But why didn’t he kill her? Had she actually talked her way out of being killed? Had he even intended to kill her in the first place?

It was then that Rocket saw the scrap of flimsi folded on the floor near the chair where he had been sitting. She reached over carefully, tentatively, and picked it up.

You will be hearing from me.

Rocket crumpled the flimsi into a ball. There was an arrogance in those six words. Like he owned her. Well he had another thing coming. She’d report all this to Rossum. Then he’d find out just exactly who he was dealing with. Rossum wasn’t going to be happy about this, but they also weren’t going to let anyone push them around just because they shoved a blaster in someone’s face.

She lurched to her feet and went to the closed door of the room. The switch by the side opened it easily. Rocket stepped into the hallway...and stopped.

It was her apartment building. She knew this hall anywhere. She looked back into the room where she’d been kept. It had been an empty flat, the blinds drawn. This hadn’t been a place of convenience. This had been a choice.

He knew where she lived. Rocket’s nascent lust for vengeance was instantly chilled. She had to tell Rossum now. She had to tell them that they were dealing with someone very, very dangerous.

TAG: Jedi Gunny and CPL_Macja

 

IC: Willy Bunker
Control Room

The alarm buzzer went off again, and it woke Willy up. It took him a few moments to recalibrate his system, and to figure out that the alarm was indeed going off. It wasn’t just a dream, then. He snapped to his station and turned on the cameras. The first few were empty, but then he found the subject he was looking for.

“Gotcha,” the groundskeeper said to himself as he watched. It seemed to be one of the members of the second group, the “bumbling kids” category. He watched as the young adult just wandered around, and then headed towards the locker room. Willy cursed himself for not having the place locked down; he had done that for a few days, but then an event had forced him to unlock things. And then he had gotten complacent about it. Obviously that complacency had either burned him in the ass . . . or maybe it would be advantageous.

The camera zoomed in on the person in question, and Willy was able to see a face. He wrote down a quick description, and then sent it off to local law enforcement. This was their chance to perhaps figure out who was behind this, and why.

---

IC: Eddy Beagle

“Dude, I got in there, and man, it’s a huge place!” a friend said to Eddy as they sat at the bar.

“Keep your voice down,” Eddy cautioned. “Things have gotten really hectic recently. I never should have sold that key.”

“You did what?”

“Nothing,” Eddy said, trying to backtrack and cover his tracks. He hadn’t told this friend that he had sold a copy of his copy of Lara’s key. And no one else could know. He had a terrible feeling that Dru was on to him, but he didn’t know how much the Twi’lek knew. At least Viktor was gone, so that was a good thing. The Barabel knew too much. It had cost a pretty penny to get rid of him, but it looked worth every credit spent right now.

Then the doors to the bar flung open, and three police officers barged in. “What are you doing?” the bartender asked.

“Official police business. Keep out,” one of the officers said. “Harrison Keynes, you’re under arrest.”

“For what?” Harrison asked.

“We don’t need to tell you anything until you come out to our squad speeder,” the officer barked. “Now get over here, or we’ll add more charges to your laundry list!”

Harrison slunk off the bar stool and surrendered to the officers. Eddy watched the whole thing go down, and hoped that Harrison hadn’t been so stupid as to be recognized. Obviously he had.

Later on, Harrison was booked in the local jail, and Eddy looked at the bail. It was set pretty high, so there was no bailing him out. He gave Harrison a quick visit, to tell him that he could try and get him out. “No” was Harrison’s answer. “If I get busted out, then we’re all in trouble. Don’t do it, Eddy.”

Eddy promised not to try and break Harrison out of jail. The next day, Harrison was allowed to go home for a day or two to await trial. During this time, Eddy once again paid him a visit.

“What am I supposed to tell them in my defense?” Harrison asked, obviously scared.

“Don’t tell them I got you access to the key,” Eddy said.

“That’s right, cover your ass,” Harrison said angrily. “Eddy, I know you. You’ll slink away while I take the fall if I do that.”

“What if we can pin the blame on someone else?” Eddy asked.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m willing to pay you a lump sum to stay quiet on who got you the card. If I can fake enough evidence, then you and I can both get off scot-free, and someone else takes the fall,” Eddy offered.

Harrison had to think this through for a few seconds. Then his face lit up. “You think so?”

“I know so. What’s your price to defy the justice system and lie to them in court?”

“15,000, and no less.”

“You’ll get it. Just remember our deal,” Eddy said with a wink.

“It’s an awful risk, Eddy.”

“I know. But it’s one I’m willing to take,” Eddy commented.

The next day, Harrison was headed to a local grocery store. He hoped to not be recognized for potentially having his mug on the nightly news for being arrested, but he had to go here anyways to get some food. If Eddy’s lies wouldn’t work out, he would be in jail for a while. A sentence of breaking and entering likely would carry at least six months on it, if not more for the vandalism that Eddy talked about. No one had been arrested for that, and thus he might be suspected of doing it all himself.

As he turned a corner, he looked back to make sure that no one was following him. Couldn’t be too careful, he thought.


Turning around, he then could feel a hard fist to his face, and he fell down onto the ground in pain. Then a black bag was pulled over his head, and some gas filtered into the bag. Harrison quickly passed out.

TAG: No One

 

GM Post

HSN Morning Headlines

• Roy Cardan abruptly retires as defensive coordinator and disappears entirely. No one has seen or spoken with him since the terrible performance by the Smugglers defense against Ralltiir.
• Lilly Vehn on Cardan's exit, "He's shown his true colors. I made a mistake in hiring him. He left us in the lurch. He failed as a head coach in his time with the Smugglers back in the 250s and he failed us again."
• Meredith Chambers-Vayne, "Cardan could have really helped us out this year. Instead he left us in the lurch. I didn't like working with him. He was unprofessional and smelled like the pee-filled beer he drank. Good riddance."
• Lilly Vehn also stated that the organization will look high and low for a new defensive/offensive coordinator for the 280 season. VCN is reporting that even the Smuggler faithful have come to realize that 279 is completely lost. Some fans have started a petition to ask the team to tank the season in order to secure a better draft pick. The last time the Smugglers had a losing record was in 274. Since that time they have won two Galactic Cup championships and gone a remarkable 26-10 overall record.
• "I promise that we will do better next year," Lilly Vehn told fans during a presser. "Consider this season lost."

TAG: Vehn

 

IC: Gark S’rily
Senators Team HQ, two days before Ralltiir game

“ . . . and this is another fine mess that Gark S’rily, General Manager of the Coruscant Senators, had found himself in. Scoring three points combined in the last two games, both embarrassments, and giving up 63 in return means that the Senators are what we thought they were: terrible. They never should have traded Becki Morlan, who was turning out to be a fine pickup in the offseason, to the Smugglers, because their offense seems to have left with her . . .”

“ . . . the shutout loss to the Miners this week adds even more scrutiny to the ongoing rumors that Gark S’rily is ready to retire at the end of the current Elite League season, and is throwing in the towel now . . .”

“ . . . he wouldn’t be in this mess if he and his staff actually drafted any good players. Adama is regressing worse than anyone could have anticipated, and Christine Gamble, who signed a lucrative deal to stay with the team and spurned down both Carratos and Bakura, now is a complete fool for not moving on and being in a Commissioner’s Trophy race. It’s time S’rily learns that this isn’t the 260s, and that he is outdated . . .”

“The game this week was an embarrassment to Senator fans everywhere. It’s time that they make the right move for once and chop off the head of the GM. I know it won’t happen, but it’s beyond time that the Senators get real leadership . . . look at what the Miners did. They hired a competent GM, and now they can’t lose . . .”

Gark wanted to throw the Holo remote at the screen and break the damn thing, but it wouldn’t have accomplished anything. Everything he had built was now being torn down in front of his eyes; the dismantling at the hands of the Miners didn’t help matters. All of the news networks were calling for his head, even though he technically couldn’t be fired since he also ran the team. But they wanted him to resign or retire and get the hell out. It hurt to know that the entire galaxy was so bent out of shape over his team’s poor play, but he knew that the writing seemed to be on the wall.

The big problem was to figure out what the cause of the issue was. Was he just that bad at drafting? Did he make terrible trades? Of course I do. I traded Jayla Leed for peanuts, and the Smugglers got two titles out of that frakker he thought. Yes, he was terrible at making trades. The Morlan-Keisel trade was the latest disaster, with Keisel making Deluxx, the man he replaced in the lineup, look like an All-Star in comparison. Then there was the Zeke Barbosa issue; while Zeke hadn’t been the only problem on that 277 winless team, he certainly hadn’t been worth the high price paid by the Senators to acquire him. Jenna Leed had come cheaper, but she hadn’t done anything either. The Senator defense still sucked, and all the stopgap measures he tried to put in didn’t pan out. And that was the best case scenario for many of them.

And his drafting history was atrocious. The 272 draft class, which was originally hailed as a solid one, was now all gone. Demetra Silkins had burned out quickly after 273, Dauza Chary couldn’t hit the ocean with a beach ball, and her passing skills had gone downhill in her last year, and Reid Livingstone was a crapfest at corner back. The highlight of the 273 Draft was getting Max Qorbus in exchange for a package with a 1st rounder used on a crappy player, but Qorbus was out virtually all year and had dragged down the offense with him. 274 saw a brief relief call with Cord McKerty, but in two or three years’ time all three picks had been traded away at less than market value. Gamble came around in 275, as did Vail Pin, but neither of them was exactly dominating; Gamble, for all her popularity, was actually a pretty mediocre player since her rookie year. 276 had the gigantic bust known as Raley Tenegat, who spent all of a season with the team before being traded for Ugdulo Borr, who had now been cut, signed, and then traded in the span of a year by the Senators. 277 saw Patricia Meter, the talented half back who hadn’t shown a glimpse of anything except that she was an incompetent ballplayer at this level, and two other washouts who were struggling in the minors. 278 had the bumper draft class, and it showed during that season . . . except now it wasn’t showing anything. Sharsy Wenips had been benched early on in the season in favor of a washed-up Gayla Renhorn, Vex Blooker had been demoted to Thyferra, Laura Cellen, the utility forward, had started one game and sucked mightily before being benched again, and Deluxx had been unspectacular and had been sat down in favor of Zen Keisel, who had easily turned in the worst performance by a Senator full back all season long. Then there was this season’s Draft, which included Sarah Connor, whom they called “The Terminator” in college but couldn’t terminate opposing possessions, a backup forward on Thyferra in Loryyk Fey’limm who hadn’t even started a game let alone took one over, and then third-round pick Karin Cherf, despite her first-round pre-draft grade, had not only flopped with Thyferra, but then mysteriously came up pregnant halfway through the season without warning. So his draft history was easily the worst in the league.

The sad thing about the Draft history was that the players whom had really succeeded, Christine Gamble and Leia Adama, had both followed the same trajectory. Great first year, awful, or at least a scuffling, second year. If Gamble’s record was any indication, Adama’s career would be cratered by the end of the 280 season. He had screwed up by not getting top value for either of them. He never liked to move his best players via trade, but maybe that was what he should have done to even things out this year and moving forward. Unfortunately, the value for those two likely diminished this season, so they would probably get a second-round pick at best for either of them. That wasn’t franchise-altering value, and neither were the picks. At this rate he would mess those up too and get nothing in return, just to be smashed repeatedly by those players when they went somewhere else and somehow got out of hibernation mode.

Something had to give, and Gark knew deep down that it was on him. He was the reason this team wasn’t moving forward. The critics were right; he was outdated, a retread, just too old-school for the new brand of Limmie being played in the current Elite League. Maybe he wasn’t that great to begin with; maybe the players who had gotten him to the Hall of Fame were just the once-in-a-generation types that clicked and made everything go better. Now he didn’t have them, and things went downhill fast.

And then there was the issue of time. He had been working at Andromeda for so long, and was now CEO of the entire company. That sapped a lot of his time and mental strength. The Senator GM job had always seemed like the easier end of things, but now he wasn’t quite sure. Then there was his family. Adopted son Mykal was going to finish his senior year of high school and go on to college the following year, so Gark wondered if he could be there enough to see the teen graduate. His wife Me’lin had just discovered that she was pregnant with their third child, which meant that they would have two young children to care for besides older brother Galin. Gark knew he had to be home more often, both to help his wife with the pregnancy and to help care for the new baby when they arrived. So he had a lot of other things going on outside of Limmie. But it still required the Limmie portion of his life to be figured out before he could move on.

That day, he got his staff together in a closed room for an important meeting. “We need to speed up the search for a new GM,” he told them.

“Assistant?” asked one of his aides.

“And perhaps more,” Gark said, looking downcast.

“You’re really thinking about retiring, sir?”

“I don’t know. All I do know is that this team is in shambles. We can’t keep losing like this. I thought the demons of 277 were exorcised last year, but I was wrong. This team, the way I’ve built it, can’t compete out on that field. And that lies on my shoulders,” Gark said. “I know it’s hard for all of you to hear this, but I will be the first to admit that I’m not the same General Manager I was ten years ago. When the team went bankrupt . . .” he said, trailing off. This had to be said. “So did my ability to lead this team. Or maybe I just wasn’t that good to begin with. And it’s probably past time that I find my successor, if not my outright replacement. I need all of you to help me out here today, because this team deserves better. The fans deserve better. The image of the Coruscant Senators needs a boost, because it frankly can’t get any worse than it is right now.”

“But you made the postseason in ’74 and ’75 without the Hall-bound players,” Mac Johnson, the head scout, said. “A lot of teams can’t say that.”

“And how did those years end, Mac?” Gark asked. “We got shaved by a determined Chandrila team in ’74, and ’75 . . . that was the beginning of the end for the franchise . . .” He vividly remembered the bitter loss in the playoffs that year that had caused this downward spiral. Things had looked good that year. With rookie phenom Christine Gamble at corner opposite All-Star Jerek Deter, they had an awesome defensive unit. And then they got into the postseason, and Deter went into his furious end-game spat with teammate Myles Tormera, in which the two had to be restrained. Doon’sun had been ejected for his illegal blindside hit on Jinx Johnson of the C-Bucs, and the entire defense melted down. They had never been the same since.

“But why so soon?” asked another aide.

“Because I realize now that I’m a disaster at the Draft,” Gark said. “We need a new GM to oversee the Draft proceedings, because I’ll likely just mess it up as usual.”

What he was saying shocked many of those in the room. Here was a Hall-of-Famer saying that he wasn’t any good. How could he say such things, they wondered. Here was a two-time Galactic Cup winner, two as a GM and one as a coach. He had coached in many different capacities for quite a while. He was the Gark S’rily, the “Magic Bothan”, the Caped Crusader who had famously saved the lives of his players by sacrificing his own. He had somehow managed to survive due to a strange technicality, but the gesture he had made to his team proved how good a man he was off the pitch. And now he admitted that he was no longer capable of building a contender on one.

“And we need new blood anyways,” Gark finished. “It’s time.”

“So what are we looking for, boss?” the first aide asked.

“We’re looking for at least an assistant GM, if not a full one,” Gark replied curtly. “Allie, what do you think?”

Allie Orchetrada sat there, contemplating for several seconds before speaking. “I think we should determine who will be the full-term GM next season first. It makes no sense to hire an assistant if we don’t have the regular GM, and it might scare some candidates away if there is a gap there.”

“Good point,” Mac commented. “Without stability at the leadership position, there’s nothing.”

“We should start with the Elite League teams, and if any of them have candidates for us to look at,” Gark said. He pulled up an empty roster board, just like would be used at the Draft. He wanted to be at the Draft one more time, to feel the excitement of determining many young players’ futures, but he also realized that he was past his prime, and that it was time for new blood in the organization.

“We will start with the ones we know we won’t get, just to not get our expectations too high. Cundertol I would never want, because he’s a complete headcase, but he’s what we need, a sign of new leadership. And enthusiasm, that’s key. Many teams, like the Pirates and Starkillers, wouldn’t come here even if their teams were winless three seasons straight; there are other factors there that would prevent any move. Polenta, Vigo, Rhemes, those ones would never come here. So those are out.” Many teams got crossed off the list after he said this. “Now, the Mercs won’t give us Viszla, but I must say that I have respect for the man’s talent. Even if he looks like Captain Pycard from Galaxy Trek, but no matter. He knows how to run a team well, or at least build one. If they can keep together is anyone’s guess, but he’s off the board in all instances. That said, we need someone like him to lead, someone who can bring that intensity.” The Mercs were crossed off the board.

“That leads us to the last few teams barely hanging on to postseason contention, or out of it altogether. Vehn isn’t coming here, so the Smugglers can’t help us.” Off went the Smugglers. “The Packers have an . . . odd . . . situation at GM, to say the least. I want to say Dodd’s fingerprints are still over that team, but I can never be sure. But I don’t think we want to go that way either. Denon is off the board, since they are doing too well and will be drunk on success from this year.” Three more teams had their names crossed off.

“That leaves Ylesia and Hapes. Adanna’s been with us before, but if the C-Bucs make the postseason this year, I doubt she’s available. The Consortium wants a winner, even though they’ve been shut out twice this season. That’s ridiculous. But if they sneak into the postseason, she’ll sign a new deal and be gone for good. So we can’t rely on her too much at this point. But we can certainly keep her on the watch list.” Adanna’s name went onto the roster list.

“Mirik Chal, with the Lightning, is the last GM we could possibly land. Now, some of us are still smarting from that loss in the Cup Final in ’73, which also happens to be the last time we were in the Conference Finals. The entire league seems to have forgotten that we were good once, and I don’t blame them. We suck. Ylesia has dealt with the same issues we have. Yet they’re still ahead of us. Why is that?”

There was silence in the room for a while. No one spoke a word; they were too transfixed by the Bothan’s speech.

“Anyone?” Gark asked. But more silence greeted him. “Fine, I’ll give you the answer. That’s because the Lightning have a better system than we do. Chal should be commended for what she’s done with that team, given all that they’ve gone through. And I think it’s our turn to see if we can get that to work for us. I think we should at least contact the Lightning after the season and ask to interview Chal for our GM vacancy . . . at least if I retire at the end of this season, which the critics seem to think is inevitable.”

“You think the Lightning will let her go?” Allie inquired.

“I think for the right price, they might,” Gark said. “Besides, they’ve been struggling as badly as we have over that same period of time. I think a lot of organizational stuff has led to those struggles, including that stuff from a few years ago, but I believe that Chal is better than most people give her credit for. We’re out nothing asking her for an interview, because we can offer her a lot if I retire and leave the GM spot open.”

“Again, do you really think she’ll be interested in talking to us? Or the Hutt . . . whatever her name . . . will stop her from interviewing with us?”

“Hutts know business real well. I think we can come to some sort of accord if it comes to that,” Gark said. “And like I said earlier, we’re out nothing requesting a chance to interview her.” Chal’s name went under Adanna’s name on the board.

“Now, we’re going to check a few alternate candidates. The obvious choice, at least available here, is Aebatt Zargana. Now, I know what we’re all thinking, she couldn’t keep the Storm afloat financially, and they will be gone at the end of the season. Then again, she built a roster that contended for four or five years straight. Some of those Storm teams were better than their record indicated. She can GM; not the best, but someone who is probably willing to look for a new job and could help us in the long-run. If we’re stuck in a prolonged rebuild, then we need someone who’s been through that before and can help dig us out of the hole.”

“The Storm were also notoriously bad before that string of success,” Mac pointed out.

“Like us right now, eh?” Gark said bluntly. “We’re not exactly contending right now, or anywhere near that level. We’re embarrassing. That’s why we have to take risks when it’s the right time, but also be smart when it comes time to be grounded in reality.”

“What about Thorne from the Miners?” Allie asked. “If you do retire at the end of the season . . . we could offer her the full job, something she’s never had.”

“I think we could try, but the Miners won’t take it, most likely,” Gark commented. “Besides, Cundertol built that winning team, not Thorne. Her better years were before the Miners started to contend every year, and now we can’t be sure if she still has those skills.” Thorne’s name went up on the list, although it might as well have had a question mark next to it.

“Then what does that leave us with?” Allie asked. “A couple of washed-up GMs from older Elite League teams, some maybes, a few unlikely candidates, and still a ton of questions to ask.”

“I had a few ideas in mind,” Gark commented. “Now, this would of course be predicated on me likely sticking around, but I have a few names on my personal list of talented front office types from all over the galaxy. We might be able to find our assistant here who can back up either myself or a new GM hire next year.”

When the names came up on the screen, the Bothan could tell that he was being met with some skepticism. “Who are these people?” Allie asked, confused.

“GMs and front office bodies from all over,” Gark replied. “I figure that someone here could make a halfway decent assistant. What we need to do is find someone that works out and fits our system. Besides, it means that they’d be willing to be an assistant most likely, and I could stay on as GM. That’s a stipulation that most GMs at this level or the Premier League level probably wouldn’t take.”

“But none of them are very good,” said an assistant.

“Yeah, and we’re the best team in the Elite League,” Gark said snidely. It was rude, yes, but he didn’t care. “We suck. Everyone knows that. So we have to take the dregs and hope that they don’t burn us in the end. Because I bet the Commissioner is looking for any excuse he can to get rid of us. So we have to take what we can get and live with it.”

An hour passed before the meeting ended, and Gark knew he would have a lot to think about in the upcoming weeks.


TAG: No One, unless you want to marvel at the glowing reviews of your GMs in the eyes of a Hall-of-Famer

 

Power Rankings (or, for some, the Wall of Shame)​

1. Carratos Pirates – Knocked off a good Denon team this week, and by doing so opened up more competition in the Solo Conference rankings. Oh, and they are guaranteed a home game in the playoffs, no matter what happens in the final two weeks. We’d say that’s a huge improvement over last year.

2. Ralltiir Starkillers – Have had a very quiet, yet great, season. But you never hear about them, and that’s the way they seem to like it. They will be in the postseason and should make noise this time around.

3. Bakura Miners – No, popping the Senators like that isn’t that hard in today’s league, but the Demons loss means that the Miners are back in second place in the Solo. They will definitely make it to the Conference Final, if not to the Cup Final. Hey, you don’t sign the Commissioner’s checks for nothing!

4. Mando’ade Mercs – Picked up a big win this week, and are keeping up with Carratos in the Skywalker. We’re still not sure if their chemistry can get them anywhere, but hey, Kor’le is doing a great job thus far. Now she needs to prove that either a) she can win a playoff game and get to the Cup Final, or b) do well next season. Because if you don’t, then this is all for naught (see: Peet Carelle).

5. Denon Demons – You know, it’s hard to stay on top forever, and the Demons found that out the hard way in the battle of first-place teams, or at least two weeks ago they were. Now we will find out if they can hold on as the Monarchs breathe down their necks instead of the Miners. And, speaking of the Monarchs . . .

6. Rydonni Prime Monarchs – Ozzie is at it again with yet another shutout. Then again, the Senators shut out this same C-Bucs team two weeks ago, and look where that’s gotten them. Yeah, we’re not convinced that Hapes is really any good. But still a nice win for Rydonni Prime in the standings, when they needed a big win.

7. Agamar Packers – Finally got out of their tailspin and are still in contention for the postseason. They can still make it, folks!

8. Ylesia Lightning – And neither are the Lightning. They still have a very outside shot at the postseason, which they could have easily made had things not decidedly gone south three games into the season. But whatever was bothering their front office seems to have passed, because they’re back in shape.

9. Hapes Consortium Buccaneers – Shut out for the second time in three weeks. Honest, who does that? And then they’re still in contention for a playoff bid? We are literally speechless.

10. Nar Shaddaa Smugglers – Yes, the Starkiller offense is that good. If we were Roy Cardan, we would have turned tail and run too. I mean, have you seen that Starkiller lineup? Wait, this is about the Smugglers? Oops. Anyways, Lilly Vehn has thrown in the towel on the season, and promises to do better next year. Well, all we can say is that it’s about time the Smugglers face a bad season. Otherwise we wouldn’t have any parity, and Carratos is thriving on it.

11. Coruscant Senators – We predict that sales of the Senator home alternative jerseys will crater this week after how badly the team did in them. At home. Yeah, those rumors about Gark S’rily retiring at the end of the season? What seemed impossible at the beginning of the season now seems very possible.

12. Euceron Storm – Changed ownership and GMs, and yet still lost. Not exactly the way they wanted to go out, but such is the way of things when you’re stuck under a raincloud all day like the Storm have been all season. We can only hope that they get a win this season to at least save some face.

TAGS to galactic-vagabond422, Runjedirun, Trieste, Bardan_Jusik, CPL_Macja, Tim Battershell, Rebecca_Daniels, Vehn, and jcgoble3 even though the Storm aren't his team anymore