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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

"Don't Get Caught" - Mykael Shone Is Back! (Resurfaced 11-16!)

Discussion in 'Fan Fiction Stories--Classic JC Board (Reply-Only)' started by Alion_Sangre, Mar 6, 2003.

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  1. Alion_Sangre

    Alion_Sangre Jedi Padawan star 4

    Registered:
    Dec 9, 2001
    *THWACK*

    *ups thread*

    Well, I have managed after months of work to get a new post half-done. Yay.

    Hopefully I'll have the other half by the end of the summer [face_plain]
     
  2. Alion_Sangre

    Alion_Sangre Jedi Padawan star 4

    Registered:
    Dec 9, 2001
    Well, after a quadruple whammy of a bad week, I finally got around to finishing the next post - somehow I think I'm going to have some more cannon fodder to load into Mykael's romance woes, whenever it is I get around to that.


    ********************************************

    Six hours later, the swirls of hyperspace gave way to shrinking starlines, revealing our destination. I flipped off Miracle Meriko?s ?Whispers in Ether? and looked at the brilliantly glowing planet suspended in front of us, a bevy of moons surrounding it like the pearls of an empress. The blue and green orb reminded me a lot of the old holos I?d seen of Alderaan before Tarkin had pressed the button. ?Pretty. They ought to put this view on the travel brochures.?

    ?Don?t be afraid to pop that suggestion to someone while you?re down there,? Lynia said as her eyes opened. Something in her alien ancestry must?ve given her the ability to take light naps while remaining fully awake, because I could have sworn she was out like a light thirty seconds earlier. ?One of the things Ministry of State is counting on to improve relations is a tourism exchange. Hapes is a little pricey for the average vacation junket, but the folks who can afford to drop some credits at Alakatha or Cloud City would consider it worth the expense.?

    ?Good, we can concentrate all the highborn plutocrats in the same cesspool.? Despite my own upbringing as a planetary governor?s kid, I never considered myself a member of high society. At Pantolomin, where most of my classmates flashed creds around like there was no tomorrow, I felt like the token representative of middle-class sense. I?ve kept the attitude since then.

    Lynia smiled. ?True. For now though, we?re going to be mingling with the cream of Hapan society on the New Republic government?s tab.? She opened a comm channel to the blade-thin silhouette cruising two klicks ahead of us. ?Okay there, flyboy??

    A drawn-out yawn answered her. ?Just fine, thank you. Hope the Hapans don?t mind me arriving with helmet hair and a rumpled flightsuit.?

    I snorted. ?Let ?em mind.?

    Whatever Colonel Farlander?s response was, I lost it between the beeping of the comm board and a sensor alert. ?Sensors detect two Hapan Battle Dragons and six squadrons of starfighters closing,? Bolts informed us in his calm electronic voice.

    ?Nice honor guard,? I replied as Lynia switched frequencies. ?Fighter types??

    ?Mostly Miy?tils, but there are also two squadrons of T-65CA2 starfighters in the formation.? This wasn?t a surprise to me ? Councilor Organa Solo and a tech-rep team from FriTek had given the Hapans the design plans and licenses to produce the current model of the X-wing during initial negotiations. While their own Miy?til fighters were more agile, they had nowhere near the punch or ruggedness of an X-wing, which was a decent antiship strike fighter that was still capable of running cover for the Hapans? Hetrinar assault bombers. I wasn?t sure if I liked the idea of the diploniks giving an iffy ally our top space superiority fighter, but I?d heard rumors that the Rebellion-era CA2 model was to be phased out in a few years anyway ? maybe I could check with Colonel Farlander on that while dirtside.

    Another pretty face ? space, did the Hapan Fleet run a beauty pageant as part of qualifying its captains? ? popped up on the holocomm, this one a redhead with sky-blue eyes to match the uniform. ?Shuttle Rebellious, this is Captain Astarta of the Hapan Battle Dragon Song of War. Welcome to Hapes,? she said with a buisinesslike tone. Still, an improvement over our pal Arlia back at Ut. I recalled the name from Lynia?s briefing as the commander of Prince Isolder?s bodyguards and the captain of his flagship. Looking at the rust-red double disk form of the battlewagons approaching us, I figured royalty could afford some fancy yachts.

    ?Thank you, Captain. My compliments to the Chume?da on the reception,? Lynia replied with practiced civility, using the traditional title for the Hapan prince.

    A
     
  3. Jane Jinn

    Jane Jinn Jedi Knight star 5

    Registered:
    Jan 12, 2000
    Helmet hair -- LOL! And when it comes to Keyan, is it really just combat sixth sense, or could there be a touch of the Force in there as well? I couldn't help wondering why Lynia showed a twitch of anxiety when Mykael asked about it.

    Nice descriptions! :)
     
  4. Tahi

    Tahi Jedi Knight star 5

    Registered:
    Jun 8, 2002
    I really enjoyed that post, Alion. Too many favourite bits to quote, but I continue to get a kick out of Mykael's laconic wit. Like Jane, I was curious about Lynia's reaction to Keyan's "sixth sense". Always good to have a bit of mystery.

    I loved the descriptions of the Hapans and the planet. Great imagery - I could really see it. Ah, good old Captain Astarta - one of my favourite red-heads. :)
     
  5. JediAlly

    JediAlly Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Oct 31, 2000
    Good one, Alion. I'm surprise you didn't have Lynia sport a quip at Isolder, like:

    "I'm certain my husband appreciates the escort you're offering."

    "I'm certain he will."

    "Why don't you ask him yourself? He's in the B-wing."


    Chances are that as formidable as Teneniel and Lynia may be, both need their husband's protection when it comes to a starfighter dogfight, though in Lynia's case she doesn't need it as much.
     
  6. Alion_Sangre

    Alion_Sangre Jedi Padawan star 4

    Registered:
    Dec 9, 2001
    Well, Isolder and Teneniel are pretty much the only higher-ups that Lynia has any trust for, so she's not going to be too snotty. Not to mention that even if Isolder didn't see the Republic request to send Colonel Farlander, by now the report from Ut will be in.

    As far as we can tell, Keyan's not very open about his Jedi abilities - while Insider confirmed that he's a Jedi Knight as of the NJO, in DW he doesn't seem to make much use of his skills and you can bet that after the flap he caused with his abuses of his powers prior to Yavin he's not keen on letting it get around.

    Don't know when I'll get to the next post, haven't written or really even planned anything yet.
     
  7. Tahi

    Tahi Jedi Knight star 5

    Registered:
    Jun 8, 2002
    I must read up on Keyan as I really don't know much about him. I'm finding you and JA extremely helpful sources for a lot of background I've missed.
     
  8. LianaMara

    LianaMara Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Oct 30, 2000
    That was great, Al! Myk is so sarcastic that he's always got at least 10 lines that make me stop, then read them again, then crack up. And what is Lynia's ancestry? I can't recall.
     
  9. Alion_Sangre

    Alion_Sangre Jedi Padawan star 4

    Registered:
    Dec 9, 2001
    Well, I'll see about getting something new done. This fic sort of started out like, "Hey, I want to do my Halberd Squadron trilogy, but that's a lot of writing and I'd like to get more done on the first one before I post. Why don't I just write up another Mykael Shone fic to pass time?" That and the notion of getting him mixed up with the Hapans and Lynia was pretty much the sum total of my plotting. This makes it interesting, as I'm not even sure what the heck I'm going to do in the next post :eek:

    Well, if I don't get something up before the end of the month, August 2nd I'm flying home for three weeks, where I'll have my sourcebooks and my copies of CoPL and Dark Journey for reference. Hopefully that'll spur something.
     
  10. LianaMara

    LianaMara Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Oct 30, 2000
    Well, I'm definitely looking forward to it. Plotless tales are fun. I'll be on the look-out for Myk's next one-liners . ;)
     
  11. Alion_Sangre

    Alion_Sangre Jedi Padawan star 4

    Registered:
    Dec 9, 2001
    On the 11:40 plane to Pittsburgh tomorrow morning, then I'll have all my reference material at my fingertips. New post sometime within the next three weeks, probably.
     
  12. LianaMara

    LianaMara Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Oct 30, 2000
    Yay! Well, when I get back from Dominica, I'll be sure to check if there's an update. ;)
     
  13. Jane Jinn

    Jane Jinn Jedi Knight star 5

    Registered:
    Jan 12, 2000
    I'll be waiting, too. :)
     
  14. Tahi

    Tahi Jedi Knight star 5

    Registered:
    Jun 8, 2002
    I'm waiting too. The question is should I wait with bated breath or will that make me end up looking the same colour as Qwi Xux!!!! ;)

    I've just reread your last post.
    ?Yes ma?am,? I replied in a nasal, subservient voice that seemed to scream neophyte gofer. :D I loved that bit.
     
  15. Alion_Sangre

    Alion_Sangre Jedi Padawan star 4

    Registered:
    Dec 9, 2001
    Argh. Well, I'm back at school with a murderous schedule, my computer is yet again malfunctioning, and my gut feeling tells me my third objective for the summer - get the girl - was a total waste of my time and effort. As my favorite musician has oft-proven, when you're feeling crappy you can do some good creative work. Ergo, after a reeeeally long hiatus, work resumes on this story.


    ***********************************************

    The ramp hissed down slowly, letting in a breath of outside air. The smell of a new planet is usually a treat ? I say usually since I have olfactory memories of Nar Shaddaa and Kothlis that I?d rather forget ? and Hapes was just that. Fresh with a touch of salt, my personal favorite. I took a look across at Lynia as I heard strains of welcoming music, typical pomp-and-circumstance stuff. ?That?s our cue.?

    With a smile, she turned towards the opening and began to walk down. I let her get a step ahead before I followed, Bolts in tow with the bags. Shocker would be staying aboard both as a watchdog and a hole card ? as numerous Rebel alliance and New Republic personnel have proved over the years, a plucky astromech is a nice thing to have in your back pocket.

    The sunlight was slightly filtered by the tinted glasses I was wearing, making the light somewhat less blinding. In addition, it gave my gaze some cover as I surveyed the welcoming committee making its approach.

    Flanking our approach route were eight Hapan marines, the standard assault units of the Hapan Fleet. Contrary to the expectations of the uninformed, all were male ? despite the matriarchal tendancies of the Hapan military?s upper echelons, the grunts and enlisted ratings were men. Evidently, even four millennia of tradition couldn?t replace the fact that the boys generally have stronger frames for carrying guns and field kits. In the case of the Hapan marines, this had been augmented with borg-implanted combat computers and strength-enhancing assault armor, black with silver trim. Their weapons looked like modified BlasTech DLT-19 clones, buffed with a chrome-enamel finish and razor-edged bayonets. I figured right off the bat I didn?t want to kriff with these guys. Lynia marched through the gauntlet as if unimpressed.

    Behind the muscle were the people we wanted to see. At the head of the greeters was Queen Mother Teneniel Djo herself, and I could immediately see how she could have catapulted herself from a Stone Age-level clan society to head of one of the most powerful fiefdoms in the galaxy. She couldn?t have been more than 1.6 meters tall, although her gilded high-heeled slippers added to that by a few centimeters. Her figure wasn?t what most would call classically beautiful, sheathed as it was in a queen?s ransom of silks, leather, and jeweled finery. I say ?most? because frankly, I classify women?s figures in five categories: bloated, a little chubby, perfect, skinny, and I-feel-like-I?m-gonna-break-this-damn-thing. The Hapan Queen Mother was right in the perfect range, trim and fit in every respect my beady little eyes could see. I?m not much for women who don?t eat anything and don?t get out to work and party hard. Her ceremonial gown featured a long verdant green jacket with a pair of golden shoulder boards stretching past her shoulders to support a knee-length violet cape ? despite the matriarchal component, there seemed to be a little male-envy present to my eyes. Same with the long jewel-studded golden gauntlets that stretched past the elbows. Whatever fashion critques my mind was throwing at her, those copper eyes above her shimmering scarlet veil shut my thoughts up. While they greeted Lynia with warmth, I could tell that there was some serious brass behind that gaze. The gilded tiara atop her head of braided red-brown tresses glinted with mated pairs of rainbow gems, living jewels that could each buy a starliner. I?m generally of the ?keep it simple? persuasion when it comes to women?s clothing ? after all, personally I?d rather see more of the woman and less of
     
  16. JediAlly

    JediAlly Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Oct 31, 2000
    I-feel-like-I?m-gonna-break-this-damn-thing

    LOL. Give me an example and maybe I can get an idea of the kind of woman you're talking about.

    I'm surprised Ta'a Chume wasn't there. You'd think she'd want to be ni the background as a supervisor, making certain Teneniel Djo does the job right, based on her standards.

    Hope Mykael and/or Lynia gets a chance to bring Keyan into the fold.
     
  17. Jane Jinn

    Jane Jinn Jedi Knight star 5

    Registered:
    Jan 12, 2000
    Sorry you didn't get the girl, but your loss seems to be my gain, as I'm now enjoying another wonderful post on this story. There are so many phrases here that made me snort with amusement, ranging from I-feel-like-I?m-gonna-break-this-damn-thing to the Emperor doing ads for beauty spas to ?Hunk on Patrol? and Fraternal Order of Snubbie Jocks.

    I did have a Star Trek moment with this phrase, though: borg-implanted combat computers, and I expected Prince Isolder to be more ... lizardy somehow.

    What with keeping a plucky astromech in reserve, and having Shocker close the ship against light-fingered security staff, it sounds like our heroes have every contingency plan ready and waiting. Can't wait to see if it's really true!
     
  18. Alion_Sangre

    Alion_Sangre Jedi Padawan star 4

    Registered:
    Dec 9, 2001
    JA: In case you didn't recognize it, the line's Will Smith's from Men in Black. Mykael's classification moves from one extreme to the other, with both extremes meaning somebody so over/underweight it's hideous.

    Jane: From my read, Isolder seems to be one of those exteremely cocky types who's trying to make a dent in the matriarchy via a mix of good intentions and old-fashioned machismo - remember his boasting in Jedi Eclipse?

    The borg-implant bit is in-universe - Thrawn taunts Pellaeon with the phrase in HttE - and the one Hapan soldier we see in the opening of CoPL is referred to as a cyborg male.
     
  19. LianaMara

    LianaMara Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Oct 30, 2000
    That was great! I loved the differnce between the reception of Teneniel, and how Isolder was greeted. Plus, Myk's observations about clothes and women were hilarious. [face_laugh]
     
  20. Tahi

    Tahi Jedi Knight star 5

    Registered:
    Jun 8, 2002
    :D The fact I can laugh at Myk's classification of us women without wanting to throttle him is a sign of how good your writing is ;) Too many hilarious one-liners in this to quote, although the idea of old Palpy entering a beauty contest had me in stitches.

    So your summer pursuit has become a history of a campaign that failed? Sorry to hear that, but, as Jane says, it sounds like the writing's going to reap the benefits.

    I really enjoy your descriptions of the Hapans and their customs, especially when they're coming to me channeled through Myk's acerbic wit. This was well worth the wait. :)

    (PS: "complement" near the end there should be compliment.)
     
  21. Tahi

    Tahi Jedi Knight star 5

    Registered:
    Jun 8, 2002
    This needs to be on page 1. How are things going, Alion? :)
     
  22. Alion_Sangre

    Alion_Sangre Jedi Padawan star 4

    Registered:
    Dec 9, 2001
    Arr, the scurvy academics be pumping me planks full of hot shot!

    Talk Like a Pirate Day is over for most of the world, but I need my moments :)

    Well, work on "Don't Get Caught" will likely be stalled for the forseeable future. I forgot to reclaim my copy of Dark Journey while I was home last month, so I'll have to instruct the home office to mail it to me in the next care package. Until then, I'm sort of stuck. In addition, there are a few problems going - namely, a need to deal with Darth Real Life and his minions and a crippling file error on my computer that really screws up my posting, which is why I'm mostly lurking nowadays.

    Even if I have to close shop on this one for a few months, I have other surprises waiting. I've been slowly rewriting "Snow Job" and prepping the first installment of the Halberd Squadron saga for deployment. While that means Mykael Shone will be off the scopes for a bit, Keyan, Lynia, Sunnar, and an ensemble cast will be involved. I'm delaying these two projects because I'm rarely satisfied with my writing - I think I have something decent, then I look at something like InryiForge's "X-wing: Deception" and realize I've still got a lot of stuff I could do to make my story better. My pilot story's supposed to revolve on characters as much as battles, and unlike my Mykael Shone stuff I can't just put myself in the ranks of the Rebellion and go from there.
     
  23. Jane Jinn

    Jane Jinn Jedi Knight star 5

    Registered:
    Jan 12, 2000
    Glad to hear that you're still here, but sorry to hear about your problems. Crippling file error -- ouch!

    Try to get satisfied enough to post something, though. I'm looking forward to reading about Halberd Squadron. :)
     
  24. Tahi

    Tahi Jedi Knight star 5

    Registered:
    Jun 8, 2002
    I agree with Jane. Post it. I think most of us feel we fall short of other writers, but the fact is we all have our own style, and I for one do not think you need to worry. I thoroughly enjoy your style, and all the research you put in. All writers have individual things that make them good, and if we all sounded the same it would be really boring.

    You often find that posting helps anyway. Often people's reactions help identify any problems and you can edit as you go. I used to keep two or three chapters ahead with my posts because I was really scared of mucking up the plot, or getting into a spot I couldn't write myself out of. Lately I've started posting anyway, and have found it's not as hair-raising as I thought. Several times I've been able to go back and edit where things have been unclear or where I thought of a better way to say something.

    I'd be very interested in the Squadron story. :)

    Good luck in the OC awards BTW. :)
     
  25. Alion_Sangre

    Alion_Sangre Jedi Padawan star 4

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    Dec 9, 2001
    Alright, I got the first post up to an acceptable standard, although I still think it might need work. Halberd Squadron, Part I: Unlikely to Survive can be found here
     
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