Star Wars OPEN Elite League Limmie

GM Post (late because of interns )

What We Learned: Preseason

Do you know what we hate most about the start of a new limmie season? Breaking in new interns. We’d keep the old ones, but HR keeps telling us that we can’t lock them up in a dungeon during the offseason and accounting says we don’t have the budget for a dungeon. For the love of Sheev, beings don’t know how to run a decent organization anymore.

Agamar Packers – The Packers drafted some defense this year. Is this the missing piece to take the next step as a franchise? Logic would say so. No team has worked more deliberately at building up their team than Agamar. This is a team of baby steps. All they have to do is take one little step at a time and they can do anything.

Bakura Miners – Go figure you invite the Miners to open a brand-new beautiful stadium. It’s not like the Miners are still playing in the same old stadium that they were 60 years ago. I mean, that would be kind of embarrassing if your owner swims in a pool of money every morning when she wakes up.

Carratos Pirates – The “go local” player development strategy powered Bakuran and Nar Shaddaa championships, drawing on the power forward, finesse offenses of the Bak10 and the hard-nosed, smashmouth street limmie of the Vertical City, respectively. Carratos appears to be doing the same thing, so the only question is what they look like. Our guess given Carratos’ prevailing industries is a high risk, high reward, freewheeling, place-it-on-black style of limmie--and we can’t wait to see it. We're thinking we'll call it “Place It All on Black.”

Coruscant Senators – For as dismal as the season looked for the Senators at this time last year, it couldn’t look any brighter right now. Carelle’s had more time with his players, is filling out the roster with his draft picks, and let’s not forget that Adama had a full offseason of ELL-level conditioning. This is a team to watch.

Denon Demons – Who are these Demons that everyone was sooooooooooo excited to have join the league? They don’t even have an awesome mascot like Stewjon. Lame….What’s that? Their fans call themselves “The Legion” “for we are many”? Now that’s kind of cool.

Euceron Storm – Marte Nalo, rest in peace. He defended Euceron Stadium on field and off for almost his entire life. Let us always remember the Hall of Famer for showing us true heroism. Also, 10 credits says that Aebett Zargana totally took all the draft proceeds and blew them on a sabacc game on Cloud City.

Hapes Consortium Buccaneers – The easiest change you can make in limmie is a new head coach. Then again, we’re talking about replacing Meredith Chambers-Vayne folks. That might not be the best change that the C-Bucs could be facing.

Mando’ade Mercs – First off, we are wildly excited about the return of Ryi Kor’le, mainly because we expect the Truce/Surrender Day gameplan for the Mercs to be decquintuple (we just made that up) coverage of Glencross. Secondly, we have made the Rancor Pitt required listening in the office. Those dudes had some phenomenal draft coverage.

Nar Shaddaa Smugglers – Drafting an Ewok...now if that is not just a ploy to sell stuffed animal versions of Kettch at Six Boroughs merchandise stands, we don’t know what is. Oh, yeah, and the Smugglers still look pretty darn good. Too bad it’s the Miners’ turn to win a Cup.

Ralltiir Starkillers – In keeping with the “go local” approach, Ralltiir got two U of R players. Given the new stadium, we’re guessing that Starkillers limmie is going to be called the Marble Wall. Go ahead every other team--run straight into the ‘Killers wall and see how far that gets you.

Rydonni Prime Monarchs – Looking to Ms. Almost-Irrelevant to fill Vesper Lynd’s shoes? That’s a big, big ask. However they went 2-1 in their traditional slate of preseason rivalries, which is pretty darn good...until you remember that they’re pretty much just playing their own development system, which would be pretty embarrassing if they didn’t have a winning record against the beings who can’t make the big time team.

Ylesia Lightning – No better way to start a season and open a new stadium than a rivalry game win, right? Oh wait...that’s right, the season starts this week, not last week. Well, let’s hope lightning strikes twice. That happens all the time, right? (We didn’t exactly pay attention in climatology class...in that we never even took it.)

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

 

GM Post

Based on my Youtube search history, I'm guessing I've already used it...but it's too good to resist using again.

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Sadly, this will probably be the season for some of us. Including me. ​

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But for today, bonus rolls for everybody! Except Denon and Hapes, of course. ​

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Week 1 Results​

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Carratos Pirates at Coruscant Senators (5-34)
Rydonni Prime Monarchs at Mando’ade Mercs (18-28)
Bakura Miners at Ralltiir Starkillers (37-23)
Agamar Packers at Nar Shaddaa Smugglers (37-2)
Euceron Storm at Hapes Consortium Buccaneers (12-30)
Denon Demons at Ylesia Lightning (12-23)

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 (30), Concordia (30), Druckenwell (28), Eriadu (28), Garqi (28), Tatooine (32), and Thyferra (32).

Limmie Futures League – Week 1
Garqi Gunners at Concordia Crusaders (10–2)
Eriadu Thunder at Gallinore Firedrakes (4–8)
Druckenwell Marksmen at Thyferra Force (10–4)
Byblos Red Wings at Tatooine Sandskimmers (5–4)

TAG: CPL_Macja Bardan_Jusik Vehn Rebecca_Daniels Tim Battershell Runjedirun Jedi Gunny

 

IC: Rocket Richaud
Hickory & Cherry, Gesco City, Bakura

“Is Lun being paid to promote a new stadium for the Miners?” Rocket asked, not expecting anyone to answer. All the Miners’ play-by-play announcer was doing was gushing about how beautiful the new stadium in Cambrielle was. He was barely even talking about the game. He just kept going on and on about how beautiful Financial Square Arena was. Apparently he had gotten a tour of it with the media yesterday.

“All this marble, it’s just so impressive. I mean they really did this right. Miner fans really need to get out here to see this place. I don’t even care if you come for a Miners game, this is just a really impressive stadium. The Starkiller organization and Vigo family really did this right. They should be very proud of what they’ve built here. This is going to be a top limmie destination for a lot of years to come.”

“Hey Lun!” Rocket yelled at the vidscreen, “Is there maybe a limmie game going on right now you might want to mention?”

The truth was that it was quite a good limmie game. The two teams were going back and forth, but the good news was that the Miner offense, which had seemed so shaky in the Bloom Bowl, had found its form again. If Rocket had to guess, Valerii had probably invested a lot of time in smoothing out the wrinkles before the season opener. Allesh had her footing again and seemed to already have a rapport with Ronan on the opposite side (who seemed to be wisely keeping his mouth shut around the refs. He was, however, sporting some very interesting eye black, perhaps going a little too far with it.

The offense was charging again, led by a Glencross break in. Without Hovechar, the Starkiller midfield had trouble containing Glencross and Pic today and this looked to be no exception. Anticipating a coming hit, Glencross gave the ball a light punt up the field and into Allesh’s hands. She worked up the field and then caught Deenever moving up the field.

“This looks like Bearkat Mode!” Aerax, the color commentator, said as soon as the ball was on its way from Morgan.

“Here we go!” Rocket said, half to alert Sadie to the fact that something was about to happen.

Sure enough, Deenever charged up the field, lowering her shoulder, plowing through Starkiller defenders, spinning past them. She got a block from Zonka, which opened up the middle of the field. Given space and time, Deenever hurled the ball overhand into the back of the Starkillers goal.

The bar cheered, including Sadie. “You’re right! This is fun when we score!”

“See? I told you you’d like this once we started playing our game!” Rocket said.

“Let’s score more!” Sadie said.

The Miners did and when it was all over, they formally received the first Golden Orange Bowl. It appeared they knew exactly what they wanted to do with the spoils of victory too. The team posed with the trophy for a holo, slices of its former contents in their smiling mouths peel side out. The effect was most interesting with Ronan, the blue and orange an echo of the Starkillers’ color scheme.

“Good way to start the season,” Rocket said, clapping Sadie on the back, “Now let’s get some more of those.”

---

Gesco City, Bakura

The first two weeks of the season seemed to set the standard for what was to follow. Some clients preferred electronic communication. Bennett Halverson apparently used it herself with the most exclusive bettors and had developed secure protocols for those clients, so it was easy to extend set that up for lower level clients. These accounts were relatively easy to handle.

Then there were Rocket’s “special” clients.

They weren’t special because they were VIPs--Rocket was pretty sure that everyone on her client list was a VIP--no, they were special because apparently they needed more handholding. One of them insisted on in person meetings. Rocket was pretty sure that was because he just wanted to check her out every time they placed a bet. Another insisted all communications were in code. Rocket didn’t think that it was a particularly intelligent one. Pickaxe 5, for example, was 5,000 on the Miners. Cloud 6 was 6,000 on the Lightning. Anyone with half a brain could crack this code.

But the weirdest was Client 8675309. Today, Rocket was trying the instructions for the first time.

She walked into the downtown Gesco City branch of the Dawes Fidelity Bank and waited in line to be seen by a teller. “I’m here to access a deposit box,” she said.

“Key please,” the teller said.

Rocket rooted around in her messenger bag...

Rocket knocked her knuckles twice on the bartop. It wasn’t a particularly fast night in the bar, but she still wanted to make sure that she got the bartender’s attention. “Gimme a Quarter Porter in one of those fancy old timey glasses. You got those here, right?” Rocket said when the bartender came over.

“Coming right up.”

The bartender came back thirty seconds later with a dark beer in one of those pint glasses that had a bulge at the top. “This what you’re looking for?”

“That’s it,” Rocket said, sliding some credits across, “Keep the change.”

The bartender moved off and Rocket picked up the pint to take a swig. Underneath it was a keycard. Just like 8675309 had said it would be. Rocket casually palmed it and slid it into her pants pocket. Best part about this was that this client chose a good beer for the code.

Rocket produced the keycard with a smile and handed it over. The teller slid it through the reader and waited for a moment. “Thanks. I’ll have someone bring you down.” The card was handed back and Rocket was directed to wait by a flat silver door.

It wasn’t a minute later that the door slid open and a bank employee ushered Rocket inside. They waited inside the security airlock for a moment until a second door slid open. Rocket followed the employee through the second door--from the looks of it a much more secure one than the first--into the vault of deposit boxes. They went down one of the rows together until they came to the box that Rocket’s key could open. The bank employee used the bank master keycard first and then Rocket slid hers in. There was an audible click as the lock released and the box neatly popped part way out of its slot. The employee pulled the box all the way out for Rocket and walked her to one of the private rooms where she could go through its contents.

Once alone, Rocket flipped the lid open. Inside were bundles of credit chips, still in their bank wrappings. 8675309 did not keep a balance on Rossum’s books. Instead, this deposit box held, in hard currency, the account balance. Rocket flipped through the credit bundles and counted quickly: 40,000. That was right. She pulled her messenger bag onto the table and opened it up and ran down the list of wagers from the first week.

Coruscant 1,000
Rydonni Prime 1,500
Bakura 2,000
Nar Shaddaa 1,500
Hapes 1,500
Denon 1,000

That came to 500 credits in the clients favor. It was something, even if it was modest. It wasn’t losing, that was for sure. Rocket reached into the messenger bag and pulled out 500 credits, which she had withdrawn from a Rossum account that she had access to for just this purpose, and placed them into the deposit box. She shut the cover and hit the button to get the bank employee again.

Rocket saw the box safely returned to its slot and listened for the distinctive lock to make sure everything was secured. It was going to be a pain to do manual transactions like this, but then again she’d been handing over winnings in person when she worked for the local bookies before. She supposed one trip to the bank every week wouldn’t kill her. This was why they paid her well, wasn’t it?

And, after all, there was already one week down in the season. Thirteen weeks to go...

TAG: Runjedirun

 

IC: Tim Dodd
'ASF Island' - Bil Da'Gari, Agamar

Orientation Meeting - The day after the 279 Elite League Draft.

"As it happens, the Jedi didn't seem too concerned about any of the objects. They were more interested in tracing the origin of the Holo-Comm signal that let an interactive image of Sheev come calling. I understand they eventually tracked it back to the Deep Core, where his Secret Throneworld used to be. Not much chance of investigating further as the only hyper-route into that area was disrupted long ago.

Self-contained structures able to defy planetary fragmentation and remain functional could be built even back then, so the current theory is that the signal originates from within something like that. Even if the theory is valid, we don't know what else may be there and we aren't deliberately aiming to find out!

Nevertheless, since we don't yet understand anything about the technology, how it functions or what its maximum range is, the chance remains; which is why we have taken 'paranoia-level' precautions, including the Artificial Gravity Generators that have just been installed under the 'Ops Room' floor.

Those proved highly effective against the Neo-Sith and should do equally as well against anything or anyone unaware of their existence. It's a pity that Euceron installed their Gravity-trap system in the Stadium walls instead of under its floors; primary and secondary debris might not have flown so far or caused so many casualties had they exactly copied our methodology.

Now, I'm afraid, it's time for a history lesson!", Tim waited for, and got, the expected groan; then indicated that Dua Juun should take the floor.

"Good evening, Gentlebeings. For those who don't know me, I'm Professor Dua Juun, Head of the Department of Xenoarchaeology at the University. There have only been four races that had the technology to create something like our 'Instant-Elsewhere Devices', and one of those may be a myth; the Gree, the Kwa, the Rakata and the, possibly mythical, Celestials.

The Gree, although reclusive, were certainly no myth. We have records from Palpatine's time confirming that, although they were a fading people and had then seemingly already lost the ability to create high technology, even to utilise much of what their ancestors had created. Due to their reclusive nature we don't even know if their Enclave, not that far away from Sernpidal and Helska, survived the Extragalactic Invasion. Earlier in their history they had been a helpful and moral species, involved with Tython and some of the underlying technology on Coruscant. Gree 'Instant-Elsewhere Devices' are said to have been called 'Hypergates.

The Kwa present a similar story, although they appear to have regressed to a semi-sentient state and became known as the Kwi. Also alleged to have been, in pre-historic times, helpful towards less-developed species and generally moral, their main claim to importance is as the discoverers of the Rakata. Unfortunately, they didn't detect the true nature of the Rakata before they had educated. them. Kwa 'Instant-Elsewhere Devices' are said to have been called 'Infinity Gates' and were reportedly housed in massive pyramids. In addition to their transport function, we believe they could also be utilised as very powerful weapons.

Examples of both Gree and Kwa artefacts are well known to Xenoarchaeologists.

As are very generous donations of artefacts from our 'friends' the Rakata. I say 'friends' because Agamar used to be one of their subject worlds and there's not a ploughing season goes by without some discoveries. Corroded, useless, junk most of it but occasionally there are more informative finds and we of the University feel we know the Rakata best of the three for that reason.

Not a nice species though, they were aggressive, warlike and seemingly driven to conquer and enslave other sentients, forming what they called the 'Infinite Empire' - which was, in fact, anything but infinite. It fell due to a plague that killed most of the Rakata that contracted it and left all of the survivors unable to access the Force. As there are no reports of their enslaved races succumbing to the illness, modern thinking is that the 'plague' was actually a targeted bio-weapon. What historians don't know is which species created it, if any actually did. The last confirmed contact with living Rakata took place around four thousand years ago, on their homeworld of Lehon out in the Unknown Regions. That group were judged to be too few in number for the species to remain viable, but we simply don't know if there are other, more numerous, populations still existing in the vastness of the Galaxy.

Rakatan Hyperdrive technology was reverse-engineered and became the basis of those in use today. I just thought I'd throw that in!"


TAG: jcgoble3 (for the mention of Euceron Stadium) otherwise, No One.

 

IC: Eddy Beagle
Work

“We get to do what?” Eddy asked incredulously.

“You’re going to sit in a luxury box and watch the Senators play. On Opening Night, to boot,” Dru, the Twi’lek writer, said. Several of the office workers, Dru and Eddy included, were standing around a table with ten tickets on it. Each one would get a lucky holder into a Senators Stadium luxury box for the season opener against Carratos in two days. Eddy had always wanted to sit in a luxury box; he could easily broken into one and seen its interior, but now he would get to enjoy it like any other fan, seeing an actual Elite League game from its plush comforts.

“Who said he’s going?” Viktor asked. He swiped the tickets off the table with a meaty hand. “We have ten people who are going, and he’s not included.”

“That’s unfair!” Eddy exclaimed. His dreams were being dashed in front of his eyes, something he hated.

“Fair is fair, intern,” Viktor said, emphasizing the last word. “We’ve been here longer, we’ve done more work, so it’s fair that we all go to the game.”

“Damn you,” Eddy muttered under his breath. Viktor’s actions made the intern annoyed the rest of the day. He at one point had to stop writing in fear that his piece on Karin Cherf wouldn’t devolve into an accusatory rant of Viktor being a jerk. Karin didn’t deserve that; she had been so nice to him, even having sex with him a few weeks earlier. But Viktor, he was a problem that Eddy needed a solution to.

His train of thought was snapped when Lara came to the door of his “office”. “I heard about your little spat with Viktor,” she said.

“It’s nothing,” Eddy lied.
“Look, Mr. Beagle . . .”

“Eddy.”

“Fine. Eddy, it’s not fair that you don’t get to go. I think you’ve done a great job,” Lara said, winking.

“Thanks. But it doesn’t get me into the game . . .”

“Like this?” Lara asked. She held out her hand, and Eddy looked at what was in it. It was a ticket to the game, identical to the others he had seen on the table.

“That’s a ticket! But, how . . .?” Eddy asked.

“Couldn’t let my reliable employee be left out of the season opener,” Lara said. “Viktor probably won’t approve, but I got a ticket for the other intern as well. He just needs to learn that interns are beings too.”

“What can I do to thank you?” Eddy asked, although he already knew the answer.

“You know what I want.”

“Of course.”

“My house, just the two of us, after the game,” Lara said, leaning in towards Eddy. “The Limmie players won’t be the only ones exerting a lot of energy that night.”

“It won’t disappoint,” Eddy promised.

---

Senators Stadium, Gameday

Eddy was overcome with happiness to be here in a luxury box at a game. It was like he had always dreamed it being like; the sound, the smells, the fanfare. Down on the field were some of the best Limmie players in the galaxy, each one of them making money for good reason. They were all so good, and he wished he could be one of them. They made things look so easy.

“Appetizer?” asked a Zeltron server. Eddy nodded and grabbed a few small items off the woman’s tray before she moved on. He bit into the first item, but found out that it was too bitter for his tastes. So he carefully set the other ones down, hoping that no one saw him waste the food. It wouldn’t be polite.

All 12 of the office workers, Eddy included, were here in a private box just for them. The organization had decreed that their employees get a chance to see a game in person to thank them for all their hard work. These seats could easily have been sold at high price to a private group, but that wasn’t the Senator Way. Like one big family, they wouldn’t leave anyone behind. And Eddy was happy to be there.

“Do you approve, Mr. Beagle?” Lara asked as she snuck up behind him.

“Yes I do,” Eddy commented. “Can’t get any better than this.”

The game was magnificent for the Senators. They were scoring at will, it seemed, and the crowd had plenty to cheer about. It was a nice way to start the season, that was for sure.

When the game ended, the Senators walked away with the easy win. Eddy was elated, and the experience was top-notch. He enjoyed every moment of it. When they all filed out of the box, Eddy tried to keep a straight face as Viktor walked by him, disgusted that the intern was here at all. But the Barabel said nothing. Eddy waited until Lara was far enough away before following the workers out of the box and down to the parking garage. He went straight to his speeder, and when Lara pulled out, he started to back his own vehicle up.

He trailed Lara back to her place, just to make sure that he threw off the scent any suspicious workers like Viktor might have that he was involved with the boss more than was to be expected in office politics. When he pulled into Lara’s driveway, he could see the lithe woman’s frame in his headlights. She looked stunning. Killing the engine, he got out of the speeder and went into Lara’s house behind her.

“So, how was the game?” Lara asked as she tossed her heels off in preparation to disrobe.

“The best ever,” Eddy said. He took his shoes off. “Just like I’ve always imagined it to be.”

“Then you’ll love the encore,” Lara said as she playfully tugged at her dress’ strap.


“I know I will,” Eddy said as he took off his blazer. The two quickly disrobed and got into her bed. Lara hadn’t been lying when she said that the players wouldn’t be the only ones sweating that night.

TAG: No One

 

IC: The Rancor Pitt.​

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"LIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE! From downtown Keldabe, on a cloudy and cool VICTORY afternoon! Welcome on into the Rancor Pit. I'm Randy the Rancor, he's Justin Pitt. Liz Baker on the boards, with Kitterich on the other side of the glass and oh baby do we have a show for you."

"Good show, going to be a fun show".

"Always is after a win, especially on opening day."

"You know, it's always good to get that first win of the season out of the way. It's a huge weight off the shoulders."

"Well it's not like they were going to go winless, no team doe...well..."

"Coruscant did a couple of years ago."

"OK, I stopped myself. I was going to mention that."

"Sure."

"I was."

"I believe you," came the deadpan response from Pitt.

"That was a crazy year, most every team wins eventually." There was a brief pause now before Randy asked a question. "How do you always get me off track?"

"It's a gift."

"This has nothing to do with the show."

"Then why are you still talking about it?"

"Because I... well shab."

"All too easy."

"OK, OK. Fine. can we get back to the Mercs now?

"It's your show."

"That's right it is!"

"OK, so...The Mercs."

"Yes, the Mercs pick up their first win of the season, against a tough Monarchs squad that was the Solo Champion last season."

"That was a surprise, I didn't have the Mercs winning this one."

"I didn't either."

"Liz, did you have the Mercs winning when we made our picks last Friday? Or was that..."

"No, it wasn't me. I thought Rydonni Prime would take it to us even at our own stadium."

"So it was..."

"Oh no."

"Yeah it was me, I picked the Mercs."

"Kitterich."

"Yes Randy?"

"Shut up."

"Hey, be nice to the K-Man."

"Why?"

"Because he knows more about limmie than you do apparently."

"Hey, one game does not a season make my friend. It's just one game and it's way to soon to say that these games are the start of some sort of season long trend."

"Not saying that, just saying that he knows more than you."

Randy ignored the jab. "I mean look at the Packers. They played defense."

"They did, only allowed two points to that team from Nal Hutta's Moon."

"You telling me they are going to do that all year?"

"Look out if they do."

"You're not kidding."

"Do I ever?"

"You're serious."

"Always."

"I give up."

"Good, so can we talk about the Mercs then?"

"They looked good, they did. And Kor'le got her first win as a head coach."

"I expected it to take longer than this, but congratulations to her."

"She has to be happy about it."

"Didn't really seem excited in her post game presser."

"No, she didn't. She really seems to have calmed down since her playing days."

"Maybe taking time off as a mercenary mellowed her out."

"A mellow Mandalorian?"

"What?

"Really?"

"OK, fine. Maybe her having a kid while she was away from the game had something to do with it."

"Oh I doubt that."

"Why not?"

"You really think having a young..."

"It might."

"You know nothing about kids. Nothing."

"Guess I'll find out soon enough."

"True, true. How's your wife and the little one coming along anyhow?"

"Real good, real good. Had an appointment just the other day. Everything still tracking for two and a half months, maybe three from now."

"So...by the end of the season you'll be a father then."

"What? Well I guess. Why?"

"Means I won't have to put up with you for a few weeks if we make the playoffs."

"Oh, ha ha. Can we get back to limmie now?"

"Not so fun when someone derails the show is it?"

"Not so much."

Randy let him off the hook. "OK, so Kor'le picks up her first win from the sidelines and it was a great game, great game."

"We were down by one going into halftime."

"Yes we were, and it was at the beginning of the second half that we saw a change."

"Well not right away. Langdon did start the second half."

"Did she?"

"Yes she did."

"OK, OK. But what was it, a few minutes in?"

"Yeah, maybe five minutes into the second half Coach Kor'le made the change."

"Well she had been rotating players in and out a little bit. Giving everyone some real game day touches."

"True, but let's face it, after the second half started Lizenam got the bulk of the minutes at full forward."

"That he did, that he did."

"And he took advantage of it. He had what? Three points, five assists and just one turnover? That's a good game."

"It was, it really was. Especially compared to Langdon's line of two assists, one point and three turnovers."

"She's a rookie, in her first ever ELL game. She'll get better."

"She might not get the chance to."

"You think she'll get benched after just one game? her first game?"

"Johnnie Limmie is the better talent and has more experience."

"Well, Kor'le addressed that in her post game press conference and didn't seem to indicate that. For our listeners, lets hear what she had to say."

Now audio from the previous day's post game Qand A session with the press was piped out over the hyper radio waves.

"Coach, coach. Hi, Perry, T'luto, Keldabe Plain Dealer."

"Hi Perry, good to see you again."

"What if anything does the play of Lieznam mean going forward with the team. Will he be back to starting soon?"

"That's a good question, and the only answer I have is that we will look at the tape and put our best starting lineup on the field. Now that said, meshgeroya is a game of matchups, and Lieznam gives us a great spark off the bench. Langdon is first year player, and she has talent. She's going to be learning the league for awhile. I thought she handled her first game pretty well, especially on this stage. Playing in front of four and a half million fans is no easy feat, I can tell you that from experience. But getting back to the lineups and starters and so forth. Langdon is the starter, Lieznam is her backup, but both will see playing time going forward."

The recording was cut off as the show went back live.

"Didn't do much to defuse the full forward controversy there did she?"

"Do we have a full forward controversy?"

"I don't think there is any question there. I just don't think she wants to acknowledge it."

"She said that the best talent will start."

"Clearly not the case if Langdon is starting."

"So...what? Why is Johnnie Limmie sitting on the bench to start the game?"

"It all has to do with the relationship between Daryc and Johnnie."

"The relationship is that bad?"

"You can see it on the field and in the locker room. Daryc sees him as a total prima donna."

"The pair are like oil and water."

"Jedi and Sith."

"Death Watch and True Mandalorian."

"You trying to start another civil war Kitterich?"

"No, just jumping in with..."

"Shut up."

"Be nice to the K-Man!"

"So, one game into the season and we already have a win and a full forward controversy."

"And a pretty good defense, did you see that hit Montauk layed on...oh what was the forward's name?"

"Oh, yeah. I know the one you're talking about. The one that forced the fumble."

"That was a hell of a hit. I am telling you, he has rookie of the year written all over him."

"Well it's just one game, let's hope he keeps up the good work. And lets hope the team continues to play well too. One game in, and the Mercs are 1-0. We're going to take a break, and when we get back we'll take your comm calls, let us know what you think of Kor'le and her first real game, the full forward controversy...oh and if you must we can talk about the horrible game the Crusaders put together."

"Ugh, that was brutal."

"You had the call on that game didn't you?"

"Yeah the station has me doing their play by play this season. Though they might change their mind after that atrocious performance. Two points? Two? And both from the same guy. It was horrible."

"Well, like I said, if you want to talk about it we can, but most of the day is going to be reveling in this opening day win. We might throw some pre-season KMI talk in there too when we come back, right here on the Fandalorian!"

TAG: CPL_Macja

 

IC: Christine Gamble
Senators Stadium, Opening Day

Christine made her first tackle on Rime Arezzo, the Pirates captain, and it was the first hit that she needed to really get into the game. They said that some forwards needed to get hit once or twice to loosen up their muscles. In this case, she, a defender, needed to hit someone, get a tick mark on the stat sheet, in order to get ready for the full 60 minutes. It was just the way she operated; she could play coverage, but bump-and-run was so much more fun. Playing physical was good; sometimes it backfired, but other times it worked like a charm. As long as she didn’t make any dirty hits, a few shoves and handfighting would work well.

Her defense seemed to be in control from the kickoff. The Pirates were coming in with an underpowered offensive attack; they were forced to rely on full forward Logan Manx too much, Christine had noticed when watching Holo of them from the prior season. In the game last season, Ugdulo Borr, the Chevin full back no longer with the Senators, and she had shut the full forward down, and that had dictated the play. The Pirates hadn’t been able to recover from that last year, and once again it was the scheme to be played on the road team this year. Cover Manx with the occasional double team, because Deluxx sometimes would need help. Kara Milovy, the opposite corner, would drop in every now and then to get to Manx and stop him so that the slower Weequay full back could then get his feet set and use his size to dominate the matchup.

The first score of the season came quickly. Vail Pin, the Shistavenen corner forward, found Anya Amasova on a beautiful touch pass from right of the goal box. The Hapan forward, now in her third season with the Senators, pump faked a Pirates defender out of the way before dishing off to Max Qorbus. The Nautolan made short work of Jace Sunrider and popped a shot into the back of the net for three points. Just a few minutes in, the Senators had already put up their first score of the season. Christine knew she couldn’t celebrate; any Elite League team, after being punched in the mouth like that, would look to get that score back with three the other way. Her job was to prevent that from happening.

Switches were being made to stop the Pirate half forwards. Christine sometimes found herself making a switch with Right Half Back Haybius Korpus to keep up the coverage, and once covered for Jenna Leed as her assistant captain made a chip play on Manx to bump him off a route. It was the kind of defense Christine wanted to see; her teammates were doing their jobs in the one-on-one scenarios, and when they jumped into the occasional zone look to mix up the Pirates, they filled their gaps correctly. Ten minutes in, Camille Montes, making her Senators debut, only had to make one save.

Becki Morlan, the Hapan half forward in her Coruscanti debut, fumbled the ball out of bounds after a hit from Mikia Sandin. The impressive rookie for the Pirates was already making her presence felt, and Christine knew that she could be a solid player someday with some experience. Since it was her first game, though, the gameplan was to attack her as much as possible to stay clear of Gwy’nedd and Ternardiel, who had the experience.

Christine looked to the sideline to see what the coaches were going to call in before the game restarted. Rosa Berant held up a sign that Christine knew full-well; the corner back nodded and looked to her teammates. “10-90! Blue Gundark, 95-DD!” she yelled. This was the line call for a shift to the right. She then looked to Patti Meter, the young half back. “Patricia! Releasing the Wildbeast!” The half back nodded and ran off the field. Undoubtedly most of the fans in the stands, seeing her flame red hair leave the field, wondered why. Meter was becoming a better player all the time; bringing in Korpus seemed to have helped her a lot.

Christine turned to Camille in goal and made a few hand gestures. Those were the play calls for the goalie, to tell her what the formation was.

And then things changed. Sarah Connor, the “Terminator”, set a cleat onto the turf at Senators Stadium for the first time. She ran out to join the defensive huddle, and that brought even more confusion from the fans. Christine could only grin; this was the first-ever use of the FLEX Back in Elite League history. “Rook, you got this?” she asked as Connor came up to her.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” the rookie said. This was her first career game in the pros; at this time last year, she was standing in goal for the Aggies of Taanab A&M; now she was in the Elite League.

Christine put a hand on Connor’s shoulder. “You’ve got this,” she said. “And break!” The defense dispersed, and Connor went to her position. Now the commentators were likely yelling at their insider sources to get them so info on why the rookie first-round pick was out there. For the Senators, this was old hat; for everyone else, the “Wildbeast” play call was something new.

The half backs, Leed and Korpus, moved up to seal off the front of the zone. Christine and Kara pinched in a little on the edges, trying to push opposing forwards to the corners. Deluxx stood his ground to the right of the goal box, shifted over from where he usually was. Connor was now to the left of the goal box, flanked out slightly behind Deluxx. If one was to draw a line between the players in each level of the defense, they would find parallel lines in the half and corner back lines, but not in the full back line. Connor was cheating to play the box in case the Pirates came to attack, and Deluxx was now free to expand his range to make plays. It took the concept of the “Cover 2” seriously, and older strategy that didn’t see as much play anymore but was a standard play in high school and college ball.

When the Pirates got the ball back in play, the FLEX Back showed its muscle. Connor found herself taken on immediately, but she stood her ground. Some nice defensive plays later, and the Senators wrestled the ball away. Korpus made a downright theft of the Pirates forward and tossed it up to the midfielders. On a later play, Connor made her first hit. It wasn’t for a tackle, but it was her first real hit in a game. That had to be special for her.

The Senators struck again on offense. Leia Adama took a feed from Pin and threw a scorcher into the net for her first goal of the season. The fans went crazy as the Ingbrand winner from 278 celebrated the goal with her teammates. The score grew even more in Coruscant’s favor. This was how the game was supposed to go on offense for them, wear opposing teams down with a relentless defense, and then pick them apart with fearless forwards.

When the Pirates came down the field next, they took a shot on goal. It got past the fingers of Jenna and looked like it would be a tough play for Camille in goal, who was staring down Leigh Cavanagh and was not expecting a shot from the top of the key. One of the Pirates forwards, Christine couldn't tell who, fell down as they tried to back up the play. But Connor jumped up in the air and made one of the most spectacular catches a being could ever see. It would go down in history as one hell of a catch.



Connor hit the ground hard, but she jumped back up and tossed the ball up field past the bewildered players on both sides. No one knew how to react to it.

“Dammit, that’s the best frakking catch I’ve ever seen!” Christine yelled out at the rookie. The fans were going absolutely nuts now; they had seen a play most goalies couldn’t make, let alone a rookie in her first pro game who wasn’t even playing in the goal box.

The Senators cashed in on the next possession with an Ava Killenger bar shot, and the Senators found themselves up big at halftime. Coach Carelle was jubilant as he talked to the players in the locker room. “This is exactly the kind of start we want for this season!” he said. “Keep it up in the second half! Even though we’re likely going to bring in the reserves, we’ve gotta play it hard enough so that they don’t come back!”

The ploy worked, as the second half started like the first. Adama pushed in her second goal of the game, and within five minutes the Senators started to shuffle in new players. Christine got to leave the field last, to a round of applause from the crowd. She got a slap on the back from Coach Berant and then joined her teammates on the sidelines.

“You see that catch?” Sharsy Wenips, the Zeltron midfielder, asked. She had been pulled for Levi Corner, although Arienne Farfell, who had been dealing with some rustiness in the early-going, was getting in a few more live reps before she was to be pulled for good in this one. “I’ve never seen that kind of airtime!”

“That was once in a lifetime,” Jenna said as she sipped on her sports drink. “Most defenders only get one play like that in their careers. She’s got her allotment done early.”

“She’s got a bright future, that’s for sure,” Kara commented.

Christine watched as the dismantling continued. The Senator reserves were still dominating the field of play, whipping the Pirates in every phase. The reserve forwards were still scoring despite limiting their scoring tries, and the defenders were making plays. Rickard Herman, the backup corner back, laid a nice hit on Rime Arezzo and then bounced back up as if nothing had happened. He had a relentless motor, that was for sure.

The only issue came when a tangle in the middle of the field for a loose ball ended with Corner landing hard on his arm. The trainers had to go out and check on him, and a minute later he left the field with his right arm in front of him, obviously very tender. It turned out that he had broken his elbow and would be out for a while, meaning the Senators had to send Wenips back out to finish off the game.

When the dust cleared, it was Senators 34, Pirates 5. After the handshakes, the Senators marched triumphantly back to their locker room to the sounds of elated fans. Christine gestured to some of the fans in the Black Hole, the die-hard Senators fan section, and got a really loud response from them. “Marry me, Gamble!” yelled a fan in the first row of seats. Christine just smirked as she disappeared into the team tunnel; those kinds of fans were funny.

The atmosphere in the locker room was very positive. Several of the players were asking Connor, who had finished up the game in goal, how she had made that catch. The rookie was trying to be coy, but finally gave in. “I just timed the jump, and I hoped that I would get it,” she said.

“What did it feel like to snag that thing from midair?” Augustina Deukla, a backup half back, inquired.

“It felt like one of the toughest saves I’ve ever made. And I don’t even get credit for a save on it,” the goalkeeper said.


When Christine left the stadium that night, she knew she would sleep well. You always slept better after a win. The next morning they were going to get on the shuttle to head to Ylesia, but for tonight she would sleep in her own bed, and not have to think about the next game for another few hours.

TAG: galactic-vagabond422

 

IC: Geoff Copin
Senators Stadium, Courscant

Geoff could see this game wasn’t going to be easy. The back line was already having trouble keeping Adama and Qorbus under control. Even the stoic Rhodri was rattled and making rookie mistakes biting on an obvious pump fake by Amasova. On the other side things were just as bad if not worse. Leigh and Seiji couldn’t get any space, causing many fumbles and interceptions. With Rime utterly locked down by Gamble and Logan apparently being guarded by every player on the Senators defense. The only offensive players that could do anything were Else and, Vayan. Those two were trying hard, putting shot after shot at the goal, all of them turned aside before even making it to the goalie. All they had to show for their effort were two bar points, one each. Mikia leveled Becki Morlan forcing a fumble out of bounds. Geoff questioned his decision to play the rookie being that she was not highly ranked in the draft even though she was the first pick. What worried him more was having Rhodri and Ponie on the field at the same time. They were by far his best defenders but, you could see they weren’t playing well together leaving a gap between them. Thankfully the offense was focusing on the rookie.

As the Pirates got ready to take possession after the forced fumble, the Senators captain made a call. The coach watched as Meter, the center half back matched up with Else, left the field. He wondered if the Sens were going to add another forward to boost their attack on the weak defense. They didn’t they called up Connor, without moving Montes, who had faced very few shots. Was a goalie going to play center half back? The home defense, after a huddle, dropped into a lineup that Geoff hadn’t seen before. “The Terminator” stood to the left of the goal box with Deluxx to the right. The rest of the defenders staggered their lines creating layers of defense driving all the offense to the outside.

Logan managed to get the ball and drove straight for Connor. The rookie held her ground and stopped the full forward’s attack. Gabby got control of the ball in the midfield and got it up to Seiji only to have it torn away by Korpus. Adama made her first goal of the season off a great pass from Pin, and then the defense broke. The home team’s lead grew and grew, and the chances of a comeback from the Pirates became dim. A spark of offense as Else made a long shot on goal that just made in past Leed. Logan moved up to pick up the rebound or redirect it but, lost his footing and hit the ground. The shot was stopped by Connor making the most brilliant catch of the game possibly the season. Flying backwards though the air reaching back with on hand she got control before hitting the ground hard. Both teams were dumbfounded. Her pass ended in a bar point but, all anyone would remember was the catch. The Senator’s fans quieted for a moment just long enough for Geoff to hear the Scallywags.

“Fifteen men on a deadman’s chest,

Yo ho ho and a bottle of Lum,”

The coach found the song very apropos. There were fifteen dead men and women on the field, his team. They looked like they couldn’t take much more. Mercifully the first half ended. In the locker room, Geoff had nothing to say. With the way the offense had been playing there was no way for them to comeback. It felt like the game was over before it even started. Rhodri glared at Ponie she just ignored him. Logan looked angry. He had been shut down the whole game barely getting any time with the ball. Mikia, the rookie, was breathing heavy sweat pouring down her face. Everyone was tired. There was nothing Geoff could do but, let them rest and get the game over with.

Adama scored early in the second half getting the crowd fired up for the rest of the game. The Senators started bringing in their backups. Showing that for them the game was over. Vayan managed to score the lone goal for the Pirates before getting crushed even more. After it was all said and done the visitors were soundly beaten, 34-5 another anemic performance from the offense and, weakness from the defense. In the handshake line couldn’t help blaming himself. Maybe if he put Bestide in center half back instead of Rhodri the defense would have been better. If he had put Gor in for Seiji part way through the first half the Pirates could have comeback before it was too late. Nothing could be done now it was over. Hopefully this was not a sign of things to come. The coach needed a winning season, needed something to keep him going. The few wins last season didn’t outweigh the horrible losses suffered that year.
________________________________________________________________
Shuttle to Carratos

The cabin was silent. No one could move. Their muscles too tired to do anything. Logan was frustrated scowling out the view port. Mikia put a tired hand on his shoulder. He snapped his head around eyes glaring. Geoff sat at the front lost in his own mind. He was going to up the intensity for practices, double them every other day. Give the players little rest. He had obviously been too easy on them in training camp for them to come out and fail so spectacularly. Well no more he would be a tyrant if he had to, because this was ridiculous. They could beat the best defense in the league then get stomped by 21 points. His team had the potential to win but, only showed it on occasion, and when they failed more often than not they failed big. The coach couldn’t take it anymore, what was he doing wrong, was he not practicing them hard enough, was he riding them too hard, was his game plan not right for his players, did he just not have the skill to coach a team at this level. His head hurt with all the thoughts swirling in it. At home he just when straight to bed bypassing Laura who was still awake sitting on the couch as he entered the apartment. The next morning he woke before his wife and headed to the stadium, there would be no rest that day.

TAG: Jedi Gunny

 

GM Post

HSN Morning Headlines

• Nar Shaddaa and Ylesia announce an annual grudge match known as the "Slugfest".
• Team representatives agreed to the deal and came up with the name in honor of the heavy influence of Hutt culture on both their franchises.No official trophy will be given out but enormous, illegal bets, are heavily encouraged by the Hutt clans and millions of sentient beings who will gather to watch the game. Anyone can be the lucky winner. Anyone.

TAG: Rebecca_Daniels Vehn

 

IC: Aebatt Zargana
Location: Royal Limmie Grounds, Ta'a Chume'Dan, Hapes
Time: Week 1 game at Hapes Consortium Buccaneers, late in the second half

“Switch! Switch!” Aebatt yelled as Anya Amasova drove into the heart of the Storm's defense. It was no use; most of the defenders were too far out of position. Shalla Lionne was the only one with a play; she wrapped Amasova up, but couldn't bring her down. The Hapan broke free and drilled the ball into the back of the net as Kohdi'orr was far too slow to react.

On the next play, Jalek Puto brought the ball down and turned to pass it downfield to Nightshade. The throw was on target, but Nightshade ran completely the wrong route, and the ball bounced out of bounds untouched. Aebatt signaled for her final timeout, and the ref stopped the game.

As the players came over, many of them out of breath, Aebatt considered the score, which was 25 to 11 in favor of the C-Bucs. All in all, that wasn't too bad of a showing for a team composed entirely of misfit rookies, but with four minutes left, the game was all but over anyway. She briefly debated whether to leave anyone in for experience, but noticed the players breathing heavily. Realizing that they had run out of endurance and continuing to leave them on the field would increase the risk of injury, something this underfunded team could ill afford, she gave a hand signal behind her, and the entire bench cleared. “Just get us to the end and don't risk injury,” she told them as they took the field.

Hapes had also made substitutions, beginning to pull the starters now that garbage time had arrived. The stadium announcer called out names. “Into the game for your C-Bucs: Kitty Galore, Pella Leavenforth, Nefroq Vubbins, and Domino Derval. And into the game for the Storm: the bench.”

Despite the situation, Aebatt could not help but laugh a little at that. Yes, she had indeed put the entire bench into the game. Heck, the team was so bad that she'd play the actual, physical, metal bench itself if it was capable of playing limmie. Sadly, it wasn't—not to mention that if it was, it would be a C-Bucs player anyway since it was the property of Hapes. This led her to idly wonder if the bench was male or female; she decided that the bench had to be female, or else the Hapans would never have allowed it to grace the sideline of the Royal Limmie Grounds.

Realizing how ridiculous that line of thinking was, she shook her head to clear it and redirected her attention to the game. Hapes had scored twice again with another goal and a bar point, making it 29 to 11. As she watched, Leavenforth punted one over the bar to bring the C-Bucs' score to 30. As the ball went the other way, Puto gained possession, broke a tackle, and got close enough to sling the ball at Ziva Kender. The Nautolan got enough of a hand on the ball to save the goal, but not enough to keep it from deflecting over the bar. Three seconds after the ball was put back in play, the horn sounded to end the game. Final score: Hapes 30, Euceron 12.

Aebatt had to remind the team to go through the handshake line, which was completed with little enthusiasm. The Hapan coach stopped Aebatt, commenting that the Storm had put in a good showing for the situation they were in. Deep down, Aebatt knew she was right, but had to force a smile as she accepted the compliment. Back in the locker room, she didn't know what to say to the team, but fortunately Puto, as captain, took over, reminding the team of essentially what the Hapan coach had said.

Grateful for Puto's leadership ability, Aebatt retreated to a side office to check her datapad for messages, hopeful that Wilrax had sent some words of encouragement that she could pass along to the team. Unfortunately, he hadn't, but there was a message waiting. It was from the bank. She opened it and read it.

From: First Euceron Bank
To: Euceron Storm, c/o Dr. Aebatt Zargana, general manager
Subject: Loan Default

This message is to inform you that following a review of your accounts with us, we have determined a problem with your Account 26 Real Property Equity Loan. The Account 26 Real Property Equity Loan is currently secured by the real property located at 1245 Storm Boulevard, Eusebus, Euceron, commonly known as and hereafter referred to as Euceron Stadium. At the time the Account 26 Real Property Equity Loan was opened in 270, Euceron Stadium was appraised at 2,526,000,000 credits, and the initial loan amount of 250,000,000 credits was approved based on this valuation. A recent review, however, has determined that the value of Euceron Stadium has dropped, and it is now appraised at 1,240,000 credits, which is significantly less than the remaining loan balance of 132,345,795.3 credits. Section 14(c) of your Account 26 Real Property Equity Loan agreement specifies that it is your duty to maintain the property securing the loan with a market value not less than the loan's remaining balance. You are therefore currently in violation of the agreement.

You are hereby notified that you have thirty (30) days to rectify this problem. You may rectify the problem by paying the balance of the loan in full within thirty (30) days; by showing proof of actual plans to make improvements to Euceron Stadium that will bring the property's appraised value up to an amount exceeding the balance of the Account 26 Real Property Equity Loan, said improvements to be completed in not less than six (6) months; or by successfully appealing our appraisal in accordance with Section 14(d) of the loan agreement. Should you fail to rectify the problem within thirty (30) days, you will be declared in default of your Account 26 Real Property Equity Loan, in which case we will report you to the major credit bureaus as such, and we may take any action or combination of actions we deem necessary to recover the balance of the loan, including but not limited to foreclosing on Euceron Stadium and/or pursuing legal action in the civil courts of Eusebus, Euceron to recover the loan balance by legal judgment.

Sincerely,
Loan Department
First Euceron Bank

Aebatt dropped her head to the desk in front of her. She had thought that the loan department was going to work with them until they could build a new stadium in a few years. Apparently someone had overruled the person she had talked to. Force, this was not what she needed.

TAG: Nobody

 

OOC: This character sheet replaces that for the late Marte Nalo. Jado is retained as my secondary PC.

GM Approved

Character Sheet B
Team: Euceron Storm
Name: Dr. Aebatt Zargana
Species: Human
Gender: Female
Birth year: 239
Physical appearance: 5'2", 115 pounds, blonde hair. She used to always have a perpetual smile on her face, but after recent events she can no longer maintain that facade. She has also taken to excessive eating to relieve the resulting stress, which is causing her to gain visible weight around her stomach and waist.
Homeworld: Euceron
Relation to Team: General Manager and Head Coach

Biography: Born into poverty, Aebatt's one true passion in her childhood was limmie. Unable to play the game at a competitive level because of her small size, she settled for watching games, especially the local Euceron Storm, on the HoloNet. She quickly decided that she wanted to be the general manager of an Elite League team when she grew up, and though her parents tried to get her to focus on what they called a "more realistic dream", Aebatt would not be dissuaded, vowing that her dream would come true. Lacking the funds for a college education, Aebatt worked hard to graduate high school as valedictorian, earning a full-ride academic scholarship to the University of Euceron. There, she worked even harder to graduate as salutatorian with a bachelor's degree in limmie management and received a position with the Euceron Storm as an assistant to general manager Mellena Loia. Continuing to take classes in the evenings, she eventually earned a doctorate degree, and shortly thereafter succeeded Loia on her retirement.

With the help of team owner Wilrax Tunran IV and head coach Haron Orus, she built the Euceron Storm into championship contenders in the Elite League, but fate had a cruel twist in mind: a terrorist by the name of Rosty Bassell conspired to not only blow up Euceron Stadium, killing over 300,000 fans, Haron Orus, and virtually the entire team, but also emptied the Storm's bank accounts. Forced to rebuild from scratch, figuratively and literally, without the funds to do so, Aebatt auctioned off the Storm's six draft picks to raise enough money to sign thirty misfits to play the 279 season, while at the same time agreeing to an all-road schedule to save the cost of renting a stadium. As one more cost-saving measure, she has agreed to double as the head coach, a job she has no clue how to do. Knowing that a single win will be a major achievement in 279, Aebatt is hoping that the Storm can merely survive the season while accumulating enough cash to be able to sign some better players, and eventually be able to compete with the big shots of the Elite League once again.

 

IC: Pamila Korthe
Who cares whether she didn’t do well last year? She’s baaaaaack!

The first game of the Futures League season went about as well as the other three league games that day; low-scoring, and yet still a several-possession win. Druckenwell, like their Elite League counterparts in the garbage heaps of Nar Shaddaa, had come to play in this one. There was nothing the Force could do to deter the Marskmen as they walked off with the road win.

It hadn’t been a stellar day for Pam’s offense. She had been working on calling plays in training camp, but a loss to the Wroona Islanders, an inferior team, had put everyone on edge. After today the questions would continue to fly about whether this new plan would work. Thyferra had an explosive offense to begin the 278 season, but then things went downhill fast. They had been the highest-ranked team to bow out in the first round, failing once again to get their first-ever playoff win under the current administration. This was the tenth year that the Force had worked closely, or replaced, the Senators, and they had yet to win one playoff game that counted for anything. Pam had been there for many of those years; they had been rough. And so far, it looked like that painful streak would continue.

The Marksmen had covered star forward Alex Renhorn all game long. She wasn’t able to get room to operate in, and in the back of her mind Pam wondered if not having Pella Lovenforth, since traded to Hapes in the offseason, was costing her offense that punch it had the prior season. Alex’s sister Morgan put in a bar point, but that was it from the top returning scorers from the past few seasons. Callie Polarez, the wonder girl who had come out of nowhere to make a name for herself, had scored and gotten her name in the ledger, but on a bar shot and not a goal. They only scored four points, and had no goals to show for it. Not the kind of start they wanted.

The defense, however, looked to be in midseason form. They were taking mistakes made in the Wroona game to heart, and making plays. Jam Tarpals was good in goal despite the loss, making saves and not letting many shots get him on his heels. Steen Roggers looked excellent at right corner in the absence of fellow corner Lomgat Vu, now a Senator. Gayla Renhorn, the veteran midfielder who everyone considered a bust at the Elite League level, had played hard. But it wasn’t enough to win.


By the end of the day, Renhorn had been called up to replace Levi Corner, a former Force midfielder who had broken his arm in the Senators’ win over Carratos. Now George Wulson, a project midfielder and undrafted rookie free agent when he signed, was going to start for the first time in his pro career. Up next was a home date against Byblos, the first half of the home-and-home series the Futures League had gone to with their scheduling. Pam wasn’t sure if she liked it, but there was nothing she could do. They had to win this next week, or it would be another long season. And after all the failures she had in recent years, she couldn’t afford another losing campaign.

TAG: Vehn for the development stuff

 

​

IC: Ty Allin

271 Starkillers Week One Victory Celebration

As it turned out playing in the GCLA for the Starkillers was much different than playing for Ralltiir U. Instead of being outmatched I found myself on a team that was able to play competitive ball. We were actually winning by 4 points with only a few minutes left in the game when Jooms failed to stop an impressive shot taken from the far right side. This cut our lead to one point. The other team was not going to back down. They stopped our offense quickly and began to drive again. This time on my side of the field. I ran straight towards the offender, tackled him and knocked the ball harmlessly out of bounds as the final buzzer sounded. My teammates rushed to congratulate me. When we were in the locker room after the game Bliss approached. “You’re alright kid,” he told me. “I’m having a victory party at my place. Come on by if you want.”

I don’t know exactly why I went. Partially because Trey was so adamant I didn’t go. Partially because I was hoping I could pick up another girl who would be interested in coming back to my place. Bliss had a large house on what I considered a big piece of property. The ice box was stocked with spirits and I helped myself. After a few drinks I forgot I wasn’t in college anymore and that my dorm room wasn’t a short walk across campus. I found a willing participant of the opposite sex who took an interest in me. She and I grabbed a few more bottles from the ice box and found an empty room upstairs. When we finished she left with some friends.

I stood in Bliss’ yard trying to focus my eyesight. All the speeders parked on his block looked alike. Luckily there were several cabs circling the block looking for suckers like me. It wasn’t long before one stopped. The driver opened his window and told me to get in. I stumbled into the cab and told the driver where I lived. He dropped me off in front of my building. While getting out I tripped on the curb and fell on my face. After I got up I quickly made my way forwards as fast as I could. The problem was I wasn’t walking straight. My angle headed me directly towards a glass storefront. My buzz hadn’t worn off enough for me to notice until I slammed into it. My forehead hit a beam. I bounced backwards and hit the pavement again. Thankfully at that point my doorman came over to rescue me.

I never even made it to my bedroom. I woke up hours later on my sofa to the sound of someone calling on my data pad. It was Trey. “Did you get in another fight?” He asked me. I reached up above my left eye and felt the area where I had walked into the beam. I could definitely feel a bump.

“No,” I assured him. “I think I walked into a building,” I made a point of smiling. “Had too much to drink last night,” I said lightly.

“We have a team meeting in an hour,” he reminded me. “Think you can make it?”

I sat back and tried to remember the details of how I got home. “My speeder is still parked by the party. I have to take a cab and get that first. You know how far that is from the stadium?” I asked him trying to recall how long the ride to Bliss’ house had been.

“Let me come pick you up,” Trey offered. It was nice of him so I sent him my address and promptly fell back asleep on the sofa. The next thing I knew he was banging on my door. Trey had brought me a large unsweetened caf. He forced me to drink the whole thing and laughed at my reaction to the bitter taste. Once I was showered we headed directly for the stadium. He explained that we could retrieve my speeder after our meetings.

Trey even stopped and bought me something to eat on the way there. When I asked him why he was being so nice to me he said that if it hadn’t been for my play at the end of the game we may not have won. He also said that it was obvious I needed someone to look after me. The meetings seemed long. We watched a lot of tape and learned travel assignments for the upcoming week. When it was finally over Trey insisted a trainer look at the bruise over my eye. I was given some bacta cream for it and we finally left to retrieve my speeder.

To my surprise we did not head back to Bliss’ house. “Where are we going?” I asked Trey.

“The impound,” he answered. “Bliss lives in a neighborhood with strict resident only parking. I know because half the team has had their speeder towed from his street. I already called and checked before I got to your place earlier, your speeder is there.”

“Kriff.” I cursed.

“What’s wrong?” Trey asked casually.

I was in a bind, an embarrassing bind. I wasn’t sure there would be enough funds on my cred card to get my speeder out of an impound lot. Even if there were I would be hard up just to buy enough food and fuel for the next two weeks. “I’m running a little low on credits this month,” I admitted.

“Normally I would criticize your spending habits, but to be honest your speeder is far from the flashiest in the Starkillers lot and your condo is rather modest. You’re not dependent on spice are you?”

“Whoa,” I said cutting him off. “I would never do anything to compromise my Limmie career. How dare you even ask?”

“I found you recovering from a night of partying on your sofa late this morning. You nearly missed a meeting that would have cost you your start. I had a right to bring it up. Minimum salary for the GCLA should pay for your place and your speeder with ease. How could you be out of funds?”

Some guys would make fun of me for buying my mother a house. I had the feeling Trey wasn’t that type of guy. “My parents raised me in a one bedroom apartment. My mother worked nights so my father and I shared the bedroom at night and my mother used it during the day. I promised my father that if I ever got a contract to play ball I would buy my mother a house. I didn’t want to disappoint.”

“You bought your parents a house,” Trey said in disbelief. “I knew there was a reason I liked you.”

I was able to get my car out of the impound lot. Trey made me promise to call him if I ever found myself too full of drink to pilot my speeder home again. He didn’t say it but I could tell what he really wanted was for me not to need his services again. When my speeder began running low on fuel later in the week Trey gave me rides to practice. He showed up at my door with a bag of groceries that morning. Trey never told our teammates the situation. I realized Trey was the father I always wished I had.

279 Financial Square Arena

By the time the final whistle blew I was flat out embarrassed to be a part of the Starkillers defense this afternoon. Our offense had done their part scoring 23 points on the Miners defense. It was true the Knott twins had struggled at midfield, but that was no excuse it was to be expected. It was our job on defense to stop points from being scored. Simply put we had not performed today. When I met Lucie in the hallway after the game she informed me that her mother had already taken T.J. to her house and we were to follow for dinner.

“It’s not a good night,” I told Lucie. “I’m not in the mood to be around people.”

“Andres is going,” she argued.

“Andres had 4 assists and 12 points,” I pointed out.

“I’m not allowing you to go home and sulk over one loss. There are 10 weeks left in this season. A lot can happen in 10 weeks. Now go warm up your speeder I expect to see you at my mom’s in 15 minutes.”

I did as I was told and arrived at Mrs. Vigo’s just in time to catch Andres and Justyne in a heated argument. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into playing on this team one more season,” Andres said accusingly to Justyne.

“You played well today sweetheart. What’s the problem?”

“The problem is we lost. The problem is our defense sucks.”

It hurt, it hurt because he was right. I wanted to confront him then and there, but as usual I was pulled away by the younger Vigo’s. Tomas wanted me to help him choose a youth team to play on this season. He grabbed my arm and pulled me upstairs. Spencer followed us, Zoey followed us and T.J. took up the rear calling my name the whole way. “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy,” he called reaching out his arms. I waited when I got to Tomas’ door and scooped him up.

“Daddy’s right here,” I greeted with hug. I spun him around above my head and sat him on my knee. “So what are choices?” I asked Tomas.

Tomas was trying to decide between two Limmie teams. One was a level two team that would most likely win out this season and the other a level one team that may struggle. I advised he play on the level one team. I told him that he had to push himself if he wanted to get better.

“I don’t want to lose,” he responded.

I thought back to earlier today. “Losing is tough, but it’s a part of life.”

“It doesn’t have to be, look at the Miners and Smugglers those teams almost never lose.”

“I thought you wanted to play for the Starkillers.”

“Even you admit the Starkillers suck then,” Spencer broke in.

“The Starkillers are going to win plenty of games this season,” Tomas staid standing up. He approached his brother with his hands firmly placed on his hips.

Spencer had been leaning casually against the wall near the entryway of Tomas’ room. He stood up straight. “I hope your right, he said. “I hope your right.”

It was good to know that Tomas still believed in me. Deep down I knew he wasn’t the only one. There were a multitude of fans on Ralltiir that wouldn’t allow one loss to dampen their hopes of this being the year a title was finally brought back to their planet. The offense had played well today and we would be expected to bounce back easily on Dennon next week. I wished I shared in their optimism. I wasn’t about to let Tomas know I had concerns. “He’s right,” I told Spencer. “Gotta tank one game, we were just getting it out the way early.”

“Andres said you played horrible today,” Zoey said speaking up. “He wants to move. I don’t want to move. My mommy doesn’t want to move either. What’s gonna happen Uncle Ty? Do you think Andres will make us move?”

“Your mother’s a strong woman,” I told Zoey. “She won’t let Andres do anything unless she agrees.” I made sure not to tell Zoey she wouldn’t be moving. I hated the thought, but I knew it could happened and I never lied to anyone. Especially not a child. I was now even more furious with Andres. He loved Zoey and took great pride in being a father to her. I made a split second decision to get back at him through her. I told myself it would be okay because it would also get her mind off the subject of moving. “There’s a cheer I used to hear from the sidelines when I played Limmie as a boy on Corellia,” I told her. “Do you want me to teach it to you?”

Zoey was always eager to learn new cheers. She had just joined a cheering squad at school. She longed to be just like her mother and dance for the Starkillers one day. As I taught her the words I watched Tomas and Spencer shake their heads. Their reaction verifying I would get the reaction from Andres that I was hoping for.

Lucie came to get us for dinner just as I was finishing. Andres and Justyne were sitting on the sofa in the living room. Zoey had raced ahead of us and was already performing her newly learned cheer. I reached the bottom of the stairs just in time to see her begin.

“Strawberry shortcake banana split. We think your team’s full of shift to the right shift to the left Stand up sit down fight, fight, fight!” She nailed the performance. She got the movements down including the slide to the right and left, sitting, popping back up to a stand and punching out with her fists at the end. Most importantly though the dramatic pause before the first shift was timed perfectly. Tomas and I applauded wildly. Andres was not amused.

“You taught her that?” He asked accusingly. “What if she repeats that in school?”

“There are no bad words,” I pointed out.

“Zoey, honey that was fantastic,” Justyne complimented. “Unfortunately it’s not appropriate and mommy needs you to promise you only do that cheer at home, okay?”

Zoey looked confused. “Not only are you a lousy Limmie player Allin, you’re a lousy mentor. Stay away from my kids.”

“Well at least this time you said it to my face,” I replied matching his tone. “Next time you have a problem with my play don’t go complaining to your wife and daughter. I can take it. It’s not like you haven’t had a bad game or two in your day. Remind me how many points you scored in divisional championship game against Hapes in ’77,” I challenged.

Andres stood and began to approach me. Meanwhile Lucie grabbed me by the arm and dragged me into the dining room where dinner was waiting. Justyne did her part in holding Andres in the living room. “This dinner is important to my mother. She’s working hard to keep this family together and create a safe environment for Tomas and Spencer. My father instated family dinners and she holds them in his memory. How dare you jeopardize her efforts?”

Lucie knew how important my relationship with her little brothers was and she had hit a nerve. I felt bad and I didn’t have an answer. “Just behave the rest of the evening,” she urged. I nodded as Trey walked in and startled me.

“Dinner looks great,” he exclaimed. “What did I miss?”

“Nothing,” I replied as innocently as possible.

“Somehow I doubt that,” he said taking a seat across from where Madelyne Vigo usually sat. The rest of the family filed in and took their places. Despite the overcrowding the head where Martin had eaten his family meals remained empty. Madelyne herself was the final family member to enter. She carried a large trey of dinner rolls. I couldn’t help but notice her new engagement ring as she set it on the table. The rock was huge, I glanced down towards Andres and Justyne they were helping each other fill their plates. The large rock on Justyne’s finger hit Andres’ plate several times as she spooned on more food.

I tried to steal a glance at my own wife. She was fixing a plate for T.J. and purposely not looking my way. The small stone on her ring barely noticeable. I felt bad that I was unable to provide for Lucie the way Andres could provide for Justyne and now Trey was upstaging me as well. Knowing that I was already on Lucie’s bad side I remained quiet at dinner. It was late when we left the Vigo household that evening. T.J. fell asleep before we even lifted out of the driveway.

When we got home I carried him upstairs and placed him in his bed. Still furious with the loss earlier I retreated to the basement and put in a holo game that would help to quell my frustrations. I was shooting everything and everyone on the screen when Lucie startled me. “I don’t see how this could be helping,” she scolded.

“Just getting out my frustrations,” I said trying to reason with her.

“With violence,” she said in a tone that rang with disapproval.

“We lost Lucie,” I said as I continued to pump blaster fire into an already dead body on the screen in front of me. “We let down the home fans on opening day in a brand new stadium. There is no getting this day back. And we lost because the defensive unit didn’t even show up. Me Lucie, I’m the reason we lost today.”

She reached over and gently took the controller out of my hands. “You didn’t lose all by yourself. There were 5 other defenders and a keeper on the field this afternoon. Now, you better come get some sleep. I’m sure your coach will be anxious to meet with you in the morning. He doesn’t like losing much either.”

Lucie was right. Trey hated losing. The next morning I reported to the stadium just in time to find Trey in a practice uniform. He was sitting on the bench lacing up his cleats when I arrived. A few other players had arrived ahead of me. They were silently getting ready for practice. Once everyone had arrived and was ready to hit the floor Trey clapped his hands. “Everyone run 10 laps around the field and meet me in the center,” he announced.

Trey ran out ahead of us, we followed him around the field for the first lap. “What’s the matter?” He asked turning to jog backwards. “None of you can run faster than a 40 year old man?” I sped up as did my teammates. Trey didn’t allow us to pass him easily though, he picked up the pace. Hovechar who was still allowed to practice with the team while serving her suspension with the league quickly took the lead while the rest of us tried to stay ahead of or at least keep up with Trey. We were all out of breath when we got to mid field.

“First off I want to thank the offense for playing a solid game of Limmie yesterday. You didn’t quit when your defense let you down and I commend you for that. Allen and Ellie,” he said turning towards the Knott twins. “Overall it wasn’t a bad outing for you. You struggled, but Reeser here,” he said pointing to his Sullastan assistant. “Was a midfielder herself and she took plenty of notes yesterday. She’ll have you up to speed by lunchtime.”

Trey paused for a minute as he surveyed the rest of us, the defensive unit. “You all flat out stunk yesterday. This is professional Limmie. Billions of young beings dream of the chance to step on this sacred turf. You have been given the privilege to represent the planet of Ralltiir and you have failed miserably at making them proud. For some of you it may have been the last time. Kaat Stun will be starting in goal on Dennon. Noah, you will be the starting right corner back. Ty Allin I’m moving you to left corner and I will be playing full back.”

Trey held up a hand as several players including myself began to object. “I’m going to show you all how to play aggressive, how to attack the ball, how to bring down a full forward, how to play Limmie. The only way I can do it effectively is to do it in a game. Now let’s get moving we have a lot of work to do before the shuttle leaves for Denon.”

Wasting no time Trey ran towards the home goal. There was a bag of bolo balls left by the goal post. He reached in grabbed one and tossed it my way. “Dribble around me and pass off to Noah when you finish. Roselli, Poletin and Shyall lined up behind Noah. I began to dribble. Without warning Trey ran forward and kicked the ball out from under me. “I didn’t know we had started yet,” I protested.

“Lame excuse,” Trey returned. “Noah, you’re up.”

Noah caught the ball his uncle had hurled his way and dropped it towards his feet. Noah dribbled to his left then cut right. Trey leaped forward and tackled him to the ground. The ball rolled harmlessly off to the side. “Get back in line,” Trey instructed to Noah as he brushed himself of and retrieved the ball. “Roselli your next.”

One after another Trey tackled us all to the ground over and over. On my fourth try I decided to tackle him instead. Somehow he knew what I had been planning. At the last moment he turned sideways avoiding my tackle completely and stealing the ball from me. Frustrated I punched the goal post. “You know what the problem is Allin?” He asked coming up behind me.

I shook my head as I rubbed my throbbing fingers.

“You’re afraid. This is Limmie. You got hurt pretty bad towards the end of last season and chances are pretty good something like that could happen again. If you are not willing to take that risk you can turn in your uniform.”

“I’m not afraid,” I told him firmly.

“Then try again,” he offered passing me another ball. I began to dribble the ball. Trey approached. When I had nowhere else to go I reached down and picked the ball up. He attempted to tackle. I turned around and pushed him to the ground with my opposite hand. Then dropped the ball back to the ground and passed on to Noah who was waiting at the front of the line. I looked back towards Trey suddenly concerned that he was still lying on the turf.

“I’m 38 years young,” he reminded me as he suddenly popped back up. “Still got plenty of Limmie playing days left,” he said with a smile. Trey proved that he could keep up with or even be a step ahead of us for the duration of practice. After the defense hit the showers Trey spent some time with the offense.

When he finally did come off the field I asked him how he ever got Mrs. Vigo’s permission to take the field. “Don’t you worry about your mother,” he said making me feel so uncomfortable that I nearly threw up the protein shake I had just finished. It was at that moment it dawned on me that Trey would be my father when he tied the knot with Mrs. Vigo.

Tag @ no one

 

IC: Tim Dodd
'ASF Island' - Bil Da'Gari, Agamar

End of 'Agamar Sports Report', ELL and LFL Season Opening Day.

Thirty-seven to two! Well, Tim thought, he'd not be looking forward too much to the next edition of 'What We Learned'! It'd be even worse if the Packers kept winning like that. He'd almost certainly be cited (or rather what they would call 'his amateurish meddling' would be) as the cause of the Packers' previous patchy form. Come to think of it, what must Ms Vehn (Lily) be feeling?

Her players couldn't really be blamed. Even a Meredith Chambers-Vayne, in her prime, would most likely have had doubts about her ability to tackle a scaly, ambulatory tank (or two, or three) coming at her full-tilt. That's how around half of the Packers' points had been scored; Barabel breaking hard up-field from the Half-Back Line. Morto, Mezgraf and Miles had each got a Full-Goal too, no doubt profiting from the decision to close-mark Jiva. Even so, she'd managed four over-the-bars herself, with the remainder coming from Noghri 'bounce-kicks'.

It felt very strange not to have gone to the match - the first time he had not attended any play at all on a Matchday since buying the team. Still, people thought he was needed more here. At least he had watched the Gunners match live on the Squad Common-Room Holo. A workmanlike ten points to two win over the Concordia Crusaders, that.

Next up, a game he would make sure of attending, would be at home against the Rydonni Prime Monarchs. The Packers had had considerable success against them in the past, but lost heavily last season. Now to see how they coped with 'The Formation'.

---

On the progress of 'The Project', the three Demolitions Specialists had been busily, but carefully, cutting through to the 'Shrine' (assuming the shaft had been sunk in the correct position) with Thermal Detonator Tape. Nicknamed the 'Hatch Persuader' back during the Clone Wars, it would, hopefully, now serve as a 'Hatch Creator'. The plan was to make the final cut during the Monarchs' game, when locals would be either at the Memorial Oval or else glued to their Holo-Vision sets.


TAG: Vehn, CPL_Macja

 

IC: Zoa Vra
Training camp

Rookies. Rookies everywhere.

The team was roughly split into two, the rookies and other young players mingling around one bench, the veterans around the other. This wasn't an assigned split, they were waiting on Coach to come out of his huddle with his assistants, but it was clear there was a divide. And a divide would be a problem.

Korlo Penin was hovering at the edge of the veterans' group, forced there by his goalkeeping partner who said he'd officially been around too long to count as a kid - not that it stopped Kasin from calling him that. The rest of the veterans were relaxed, taking the time to prepare themselves for a long, tough camp. Zoa had her eye on the newer, younger players; their excitement and enthusiasm would be good for this team after two rough years, but she didn't know how to temper their tension, breach the divide between young and old. Luckily, their Coach had something in mind.

"Vra, red team!" Kyril Lopaki point to his left. "Tiin, yellow team! Shahka, red! Urdaaza, yellow!" He continued on until they were split into two even teams, a good mix of young and old, friends and strangers.

"Today's exercise," he said with a grin, "is to test how well you can all work together."



While he'd been splitting them up, the other coaches had been handing out what looked like goggles of all shapes and sizes to half of each team. But when Zoa looked at them, she found they blocked all vision. What was he doing?

"Everyone find a partner, and then we're going to play a game called blindfold dodgeball." Lopaki pointed at a pile of bolo balls at centre field. "The blindfolded player can throw, and the one who can see, directs them. Losing team gets 10 laps around the field." Everyone groaned, even as smiles began to appear as they found partners and decided who would take what role.

Initially hesitant to trust her partner, the young, temperamental Devaronian Tadhara Tunni, Zoa found herself smiling as the other player yanked at her shirt and yelled directions to pull her out of the way of incoming bolo balls. They weren't very successful at actually throwing them, Tadhara at one point grabbing her arm to direct her, but she could hear everyone laughing, especially the loud siss of Shahka, too large to avoid too many of the balls.

Eventually they switched roles and Zoa led Tadhara right up to the centre line to take out the other team. The sophomore player had a good arm, she knew that from playing together last season, but she was excellent at taking direction, even if she shouted incoherently whenever they were knocked out of the game by an opponent's throw.

The rest of the day was taken up by other games like that, letting the team settle down before the real work started. All of it, Zoa noted, centred around communication. Normally quiet, she found herself getting into the competition with more enthusiasm than she'd felt in a while. Different games had different leaders too, and she was surprised to note how well some of the younger players did when given a leadership role.

By the day's end, her team, team red, was ahead, having only earned 15 laps while the other team had 20. The coaches didn't push them to move to fast for those, but did call out the cheaters who tried to make one lap count as two. No one complained that they'd wasted a day playing games instead of practicing, training; Zoa saw the value in it as the tension from the morning was gone and the different players had gotten to know each other better and faster than she could have anticipated.

With a slight smile, she found herself hoping that the rest of the week would be as fun.

--------

Preseason vs Ralltiir

Winning in preseason might not have mattered, but it sure felt good. Their defense had been solid, while she and the other forwards worked out their kinks. Even Kasin did a little celebratory cartwheel as she left the field, something she hadn't done in years.

Management was still angry at her for being a no-show at the awards night, but Zoa had stood up for her. "Goalkeepers have their quirks, leave her be," she'd said, not passing on what Kasin had actually told her.

"It wasn't a comeback season, someone just nominated me to be nice. There's no way I'd actually win. I mean, did you see my stats?"

More than winning for winning's sake, Zoa wanted to have a better season this year for Kasin. She put on a good face for the team, for the crowd, but she still wasn't back to her old self. To how she'd been before. And Zoa worried, though she was bad at showing it. Too many years playing the serious Captain, the best she knew was to be there for Kasin when she struggled.

Luckily getting back to Limmie seemed to have made a difference. If they could keep this up in regular season play, things would go well. Getting back into the playoffs would feel good, though the move to the Solo conference had her concerned. But that was a worry for another game, right now she was going to bask in the excitement of a new season, a new stadium, and a semi-new team.

--------

Game day vs. Denon

Denon was new. Denon was unknown. But they weren't going to slow the Lightning down.

Zoa had been battling a frustrating human full back all game, but with some good passing work, she and the other forwards had brought the team to a fifteen point lead about halfway through the second half, while the Demons only had two bar points. Some might attribute it to the new stadium, a beautiful new goliath of metal and transparisteel right next door to the old one, and the hundreds of thousands more it could seat. As the late summer rolled in and storms swept Peace City, the stadium would do more to fire up the crowd; the spires safely attracted the lightning the team was named for, providing a secondary show to the clashes on the field.



The game was far from over, and the Demons weren't ready to give up yet. Zoa intercepted a pass and immediately swung it over to Veiana Eitos, further up the field. She could already see Umanh setting himself up to get in her way. Not this time.

She charged up the field, hearts pumping not just from exertion but from something else, the thrill of stripping a team's defense and scoring points, of going left when they think right, of making her opponents make mistakes. This Umanh was going to get a lesson today on getting in Zoa Vra's way, she decided.

The ball was back in her hands, Tunni passing in time to avoid losing it to a tackle. The full forwards were out of position, stopped by Denon's defense. Only Umanh between her and the goalkeeper, though out of the corner of her eye she could see another player coming from her right. Couldn't go that way.

Securing the ball, Zoa lowered her centre of gravity as she drew closer. Umanh was coming at her too, hoping for a tackle that would stop her run. Ducking, predicting a high tackle, and stepping to the left to get around her opponent, she was caught off-guard by Umanh's quick reaction and, not slowing, slammed head-first into his midsection.

Slightly dazed by the impact, she staggered back and managed not to fall, feeling somewhat triumphant that she still had the ball clenched in her hands. The crowd, so much larger than she was used to at home, roared; at what, she didn't exactly know. But as she shook the fuzzy feeling out of her head, she saw two things: the stares of her teammates as play was stopped, and the small crowd around Umanh, who was on the ground.

Sweat dripped down her forehead. She went to brush it away, but when her hand came down, something was wrong. Her fingers were red.

The cameras were all on her, she found, as she looked up to the stadium's displays. Front and centre, bolo ball still tucked under her arm, blood on her horns, there stood their stony-faced captain; it was like staring at someone else.

The crowd's roar had turned quieter as the team's doctor came out onto the field. The shock wore off suddenly, and she knew she had to go. Dropping the ball, she turned and jogged off the field, not meeting anyone's eyes and not waiting for the coach or an official to order her off. Straight into the locker room, right to the showers where she could shove her head under a tap to get it off.

It was far from the first time she'd hurt another player, drawn blood. Those times she'd smiled, satisfied with a game well-played, confident in knowing it was an accident, or at least not entirely on purpose. This time she wasn't so sure.

She'd wanted so badly to show these newcomers up, teach them a lesson. But - she could barely get herself to think the word - goring someone? It was shameful. Keeping her horns sharp was a matter of pride, just as it was that she'd never done something as low as harming someone with them. And to do it on purpose was worse.

Be an example, she had been told many times, a captain leads by example. Some example. Thirteen years without a fine or suspension; she hit hard, she played hard, but she didn't hurt players on purpose.

She shut the water off; it had long run clear. There was still time on the clock, though she didn't think she could go back out there - Denon would tear her apart, if she was even allowed back on the field. What she could do was own up to this. Face the music.

So she gathered her gear. Showered. Changed. Sat in her stall and waited, as grim-faced as she'd ever been.

TAG: Runjedirun (for very brief preseason mention), Trieste (for any league response)

 

GM Post

HSN Morning Headlines

• League is reviewing Zoa Vra's headbutt against Sugnok Umanh from Demons/Lightning game
• Source says "Disciplinary action is being considered"
• Myk Songsteel reports that Bakura 10 Conference's blue ribbon commission on player safety is preparing final draft of two year report for submission to Commissioner Trieste

---

What We Learned: Week 1 (now on time because we have beaten the new interns into submission trained the new interns to WWL standards)

We hear that other organizations are beginning to harness the power of interns. We tried telling our bosses that clearly we were ahead of our time and that we deserve raises as a result. That didn’t work, so we tried to fire Zigby and have his salary redistributed to everyone else. That also didn’t work. Seriously, what does a being have to do to get a raise around here? Apparently the answer is not “hire more interns,” which we thought was either the answer to everything or the meaning of life. One or the other.

Agamar Packers – The Pack Attack is alive! It’s aliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive! No, seriously--the Packers have made the playoffs the last two seasons, but this week was not just a statement win. It was a signature win.

Bakura Miners – Bearkat Mode is our new favorite thing. Well, that and those marshmallow chocolate things we found at the grocery store yesterday. And, from what we hear, if someone tells Niskat Deenever about them, she’s going to go into Bearkat Mode to get some. (And she totally should. Those things are great.)

Carratos Pirates – The Scallywags would be forgiven if they believed that this was just an extension of the 278 season because thus far, not much has changed.

Coruscant Senators – What is this odd thing we see? This “FLEX Back” that makes players amazing? When someone tells us, maybe we’ll understand why it works.

Denon Demons – Maybe there was a reason no other team had signed all that ELL talent the Demons picked up...

Euceron Storm – That was a tough game for the Storm, but nobody expected this season to be easy for them. Unfortunately, that was their easy conference game for the season. Soooooo...have fun from hereon out Storm fans!

Hapes Consortium Buccaneers – Until the C-Bucs play a team that actually has an Elite League Limmie player from 278 on it, we’re not buying their revival. Also--was it us or did we miss their head coach on the sidelines? Seriously, the ladies have a head coach down there...right?

Mando’ade Mercs – Apparently we are not using the words “full forward controversy” to describe anything remotely related to the Mercs. Well, that’s a true statement if we define “we” as “everybody but Ryi Kor’le” and “remotely related to” as “intrinsic to the basic dynamics of.” So, you know, the same ballpark.

Nar Shaddaa Smugglers – This isn’t a championship hangover. This is looking like the beginning of a championship coma. And it comes right as Roy Cardan rejoins the team. Coincidence...or conspiracy?

Ralltiir Starkillers – Financial Square Stadium looks amazing. It’s everything a limmie stadium should be. It’s just a minor detail that the Starkillers still can’t beat the Miners in it, but seeing as the Miners can’t beat the Starkillers in that decrepit cardboard box known as Bakura Gardens, that’s no knock against the Square.

Rydonni Prime Monarchs – Honestly, the Monarchs looked like they needed more help on the defensive side of the ball than the offensive side, so all of you beings clamoring for Vesper Lynd to return immediately should just cool your jets, okay?

Ylesia Lightning – Well, that is certainly one way to make a statement in your first Solo Conference game. Looks like the Lightning are playing for keeps. The question is whether they will be playing without their captain for the near future.

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

 

GM Post

HSN Headlines

• Deputy Commissioner Esther Gondorf announces Elite League Limmie has fined Lightning captain Zoa Vra 1/22 of her salary (half of her Week 1 earnings) for headbutt against Umanh
• Gondorf: "When reviewing the video footage, Vra clearly is attempting to avoid contact. Umanh's actions happened at such a speed that it is not reasonable for us to expect that Vra could adjust. However, the League has assessed the fine because Vra exercised poor judgment in leading with her head given her physiological attributes."
• Demons confirm Umanh out for home opener against Ralltiir, but expected to be fully recovered for road game at Rydonni Prime against former team

TAG: CPL_Macja Rebecca_Daniels Runjedirun

 

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

Geoff hadn’t allowed the team its usual rest day after a game he had them back on the field for drills. He was running every position through their paces picking up on every flaw, and pointing it out.

“Mikia,” He called from the sideline “don’t lose your mark. Rhodri can handle his watch for the pass.”

“Yes coach.” The rookie replied returning to the start position. The coach stalked down to the other end of the field watching a 4v3 offensive rush lead by Logan. The young full forward went for the goal only to be stopped by Qazi.

“Logan, how many times do I have to tell you try for a bar point once in a while.” Logan grimaced.

“Yes coach,” Geoff knew that his star player was too much of a glory hound and was getting serious about going for the bar point when the odds of a goal were slim. Logan would sometimes quip the Corellian motto ‘never tell me the odds’, but not this time. The coach had no appetite for foolishness, not today. They played terribly against the Senators and needed to get better fast before the Mercs game. In the back of his mind he doubted if practicing this hard would change anything. Sure they’d beaten the Mandlorian team last year but that was down to more luck that skill. He couldn’t hope for luck in this game. On the other hand, the Pirates talent mixed with his focus on fundamentals had gotten them exactly nowhere. They needed something new but, the coach felt like he was grasping at straws, trying to think up a new strategy. He called an end to practice and stayed behind in his office. He decided to study, study harder than he ever did in collage. He watched Pirate’s game holo, and Mercs plays looking for weaknesses, all he could find were players to avoid, notably Mauntak. Geoff was still annoyed with Schnitt for picking Mikia over the best player in the draft but, thinking about the past gets him nothing. Drinking his sixth or eighth cup of Caf he dusted off a coaching manual he hadn’t opened in ages. Slowly it dawned on him. He’d been playing this old style of limmie that was outdated, too slow, not enough energy. While it was good on the basics, everything beyond that was old fashioned and had no place in this new limmie. On a whim he looked up some holos of the UCa. Gamblers. What he found was exactly what the Pirates needed. An explosive offense that seemed to just rush the net on every play, all six forwards dragging their markers with them, causing something akin to anarchy in front of the goalkeeper. The coach grabbed a piece of flimisi and began scribbling notes. It would take some time and require a lot of field awareness but, this offensive attack could be the key to a comeback.

Geoff awoke still at his desk the next morning. He checked his datapad which was had alerts for his comlink. Six missed calls and three messages from Laura. He didn’t have time to respond to them it was almost 0800. The coach took a quick shower and put on a spare practice uniform. The team showed up mostly on time, Geoff didn’t fault them for being a couple minutes late.

“Ok team,” he said standing in the middle of the locker room. “We’re going to try something different today. Logan,” The human looked up. “You played for UCa. right?”

“Roll High.” The forward responded.

“You’re familiar with their offensive strategy?”

“Yeah, the ‘All In’ strategy, dangerous but, effective,”

“Excuse me,” Gor said a few stalls down, “dangerous doesn’t even begin to describe that attack, its suicidal. On the off chance the offense can get possession, it will be lost soon after by running into your own team or the defense. Not to mention it leaves you too vulnerable to break outs.” He paused to look at Rhodri, “to pull it off you need to have strong half backs, which we don’t have.” The large Klatoonian stood up glaring at the rookie.

“You are standing on a line rook.”

“What, you guys were terrible against the Sens.”

“I didn’t see you doing much,” Rhodri retorted

“Hey,” Geoff shouted pulling attention back to him, “This isn’t a discussion. We’re using the ‘All In’ strategy against the Mercs.” The coach looked back to Logan. “Logan, if you can get me the contact information for the coach at UCa. I’d appreciate it.”

“Give me a bit before practice I’ll send it via holo-net,”

“Alright, let’s get to work.” Clapping his hands the coach lead the players back to practice.

On the field Geoff could see the offense getting in to the new more aggressive style. The defense seemed to be easily overwhelmed, while that was the goal of the fast paced attack, he knew it shouldn’t be this simple. He quickly found the problem, the same area where they were weak before, between Ponie and Rhodri. The coach couldn’t understand why the Klatooinian refused to be anywhere near the veteran defender. It wasn’t that she was a woman, Rhodri worked with Bestide, Samia, and Boutros with no problems. It was also not because she was human, him and Brian got a long very well. It was something else, an interaction after their game last year, a penalty she took that he didn’t agree with? During a break Geoff called the half back to his office.

“You need something coach?” the being asked

“I’d like to talk about what’s going on between you and Poine.”

“It’s nothing I just don’t see the need to baby her.”

“That’s a lie and you know it. This is just like Ylesia, just like Nar Shadaa.”

“I don’t need this,” Rhodri turned to walk out.

“If you walk out that door, I will have no choice but to bench you for the next game and the one after that. You’re a liability out there and I shouldn’t have played you against Courscant.” The defender stopped in his tracks.

“You really want to know my problem with her?” He asked looking over his shoulder.

“Yes,” Geoff said hoping he had made progress, “I need both of you working together.”

“All right,” The big humanoid turned around a fire in his eyes. “My problem with her is twenty-five thousand years of slavery, which her kind abetted.” The coach almost fell back into his chair. He didn’t expect this. He had to reach back into his history lessons to fully grasp what the player just said. The Klatooinians, Nikto and Vodrans signed a treaty with the Hutts many millennia ago, this treaty, the treaty of Vontor essentially made these races slaves to the slugs. The representatives of each group willingly agreed but, all historians say that the Hutts took advantage the situation and that the three other races were tricked into signing. Geoff tried to make words come out but found he couldn’t, he couldn’t even fathom having your entire race subjected to servitude because of a piece of flimsi that was signed long before your ancestors were ever born. “I thought so.” Rhodri moved toward the door, Geoff finally found his words.

“Wait,” He said reaching out his hand, “I cannot begin to understand your feelings about this and I will not fault you for having them but, if you can think about this. Ponie was born two hundred years after the treaty was made null and void. She hand no hand in the crime perpetrated on your people, please think about that.” The player walked out of the room. Geoff felt a little drained emotionally and was unsure of what to do with the information given. His thoughts gnawed at him for the rest of the day, had he said the right thing, or did he make it worse. Then he saw Rhodri drop down just a little to help out Ponie. There was hope yet.
__________________________________________________________________________
Shield Towers, O’pahz, Carratos

After practice Geoff stayed late to compare notes with the head coach of the Gamblers. He got home well after dark putting the final touches on the next days practice. Laura was awake waiting for him.

“Geoff,” she said in a serious tone, “We need to talk.” Geoff’s eyes felt heavy, his mind clouded.

“Can it wait until morning Babe; it’s been a long day.”

“This is about Iris, she got into a fight at school, they called me to pick her up.”

“Did you talk to her?”

“I tried to but, she wouldn’t open up to me. You’re the one she’ll listen to,” Geoff sighed

“I’ll talk to her in the morning ok,”

“Geoff, this is serious, the headmistress said they would expel her if it happens again.” Without thinking he responded,

“Would it be that bad?” Laura’s sabacc face broke.

“Do you not know how much this means to me, to their future? A good start now means a better life for them later on, do you not want that for them?”

“Babe,” he said putting his hands up in surrender, “I’m just a little tired, I’ll be better in the morning.” He walked into his bedroom and fell on the bed, falling asleep soon after.

The next morning Geoff talked with Iris about what happened at school. The little girl attacked one of her classmates for calling Ira mean names. He wanted to praise her for standing up for her sister but, his wife wouldn’t approve.

“Sweetheart,” he said shaking his head, “you can’t do that, as good as it feels it’s not the right way. If it happens again tell a teacher ok.”

“But I did,” his daughter said, a little bit of anger in her voice “they didn’t do anything.” Now Geoff really wanted to applaud her but, he held his tongue.

“Sometimes that happens but, what I want you to do is if one teacher does nothing go the next one or to the headmistress and tell them. I don’t want you to become a bully.”

“But, he was,”

“I know but, bullying a bully is still wrong.” Iris looked to the ground and crossed her arms. He didn’t necessarily agree but, he those were the words he had to say. “Iris look at me,” she slowly raised her head, “You did a bad thing for good reasons, I want you to keep that good heart but, think first ok. Can you do that for daddy?” the little girl made a face that Geoff knew was one of disgust.

“Ok.” He gave her a hug and kissed her cheek.

“I love you.” He said holding her close.

“I know.” She replied.
___________________________________________________________________________
Goss-Pell Memorial Stadium, O’pahz, Carratos
Game Day

Geoff spent the rest of the week at practice or asleep. He wanted to be ready for the Mercs. His team looked hungry the last game got a little personal. This time looked no different, at least from the Pirates point of view. The Mercs were in the Pirate’s home now, they wanted prove that last time wasn’t a fluke. Mikia and Logan looked especially fierce.

“All right sports fans,” the stadium announcer boomed “the betting windows are now closed. It’s time to weigh anchor and get under way. Stepping on the deck now looking to repel this Mercenary boarding, are, your, Carratos, Pirates.” Rime with Rhodri and Ponie behind him led the team onto the field. The stands were not packed but, enough Scallywags remained to give a thunderous ARRRRRRRRRR, as the team in black took their positions. Geoff walked directly behind Brian who would be starting this game, hoping that that his team would at least put up at fight.

TAG: Bardan_Jusik

 

GM Post

HSN Headlines

• Bak10 blue ribbon commission concludes "There exists a significant risk of head trauma in limmie"
• Bak10 Commissioner announces that playing bolo-ball with the head during a limmie match will result in a dead ball foul and free kick to team that did not play the ball with the head
• Commissioner confirms that Bak10 officials have been given direction to "aggressively" penalize teams for excessive physical contact, citing panel’s conclusions
• Furor of criticism from grassroots groups on Bakura over changes: "Ultra liberal Kerry Trieste does not realize that limmie is a contact sport and nothing you can do can ever change that"
• HSN analyst: "The Bak10 is beginning to outstrip other college conferences in its quest for player safety. Unless the Elite League follows suit, Bak10 players will be at a competitive disadvantage and will make up a dwindling portion of ELL players"

TAG: Kind of everyone, but also no one since this is the college game. Most people likely to care were tagged in the original post.

 

IC: Eddy Beagle
Work

Eddy continued to write his piece in the crappy little “office” he had been given. His job was to continue working on his series with Karin Cherf, the team’s third-round pick. He had to call her long-distance, because she was on Thyferra with the team, and he was still here on Coruscant. It made interviewing difficult, because scheduling was out of whack on their ends.

As Eddy wrote, he thought about the one-night stand he and Karin had had together before the season. The words she had spoken to his questions came with a face and a name, a heartbeat, the fragrance of her hair, with the warmth of her flesh against his. Everything seemed so real now; she was no longer a rookie, but a woman he had become intimately familiar with. His job had become more difficult because of it in some ways, but easier in others.

He finally had to put the work aside. Lara had assigned him more duties as part of his promotion at the office. The extra duties were ones that took more of his time, but at least they paid better. He was technically no longer an intern, now a paid employee. There was no telling if the other workers at the office knew what he was up to, and why he was no longer getting their caf for them like an intern would. He was now just like them, packed into the office and working for wages. Internships be damned, the young man thought; those were for the weak. Now Eddy Beagle was a full-salaried worker.

The promotion led him to conduct some research on the team for their upcoming game against Ylesia. It was a road game, so there was no in-person experience available from going to the game like he had last week for the season opener. Thus it would have to be work written from afar, work to placate the hungry masses who wanted information on their team. And now he had more of it to do; there was no telling how many read his series on Karin, but his new duties certainly had him contributing to the media output from the office. He was still a few steps below beat reporter and writer, but he hoped that working here would help get him promoted. Maybe in two or three seasons he would get there?

Two or three seasons, Eddy thought as he stopped working momentarily. What would happen in those few years? Would he get more promotions? Could he become a somewhat-famous name in the community for his work? How well would he get paid? Was Karin Cherf really the woman for him? Would they be married in three years’ time, working on starting a family together? Would Lara still be seducing him? How would the team be doing in those years? There were a lot of questions, but not a lot of answers.

As Eddy looked over the roster for the Senators, he tried to comprehend what he could work on. The beat writers were covering most of the gameday stuff, and the other reporters were working on their season-long pieces. So he had to find something else to do.

And then there was the question of his next break-in with the forged I.D. card. He had gone into the locker room at Senators Stadium twice already, and now he needed something else to do with it. Perhaps this was the week, with the team out of town, to really see what the card could do for him. He had to try; this was his chance to really be behind the scenes, to see how stuff went down on gameday, to see what no other fans saw.


That night, he broke into the stadium again, this time going for the media rooms. He got to see the camera set-ups, the media control rooms, and the sheer magnitude of putting on a media production. He wasn’t able to get into some of the more secret areas, such as the owner’s box, but he was sure that a little bit of jimmying could get the lock opened up at some point. So he resigned himself to seeing the media tour, and then left. He had seen more awesome things, and was already planning his next trip when he got to his apartment.

TAG: No One

 

IC: Bat Vigo

10 months prior the shuttle ride back to Tatooine after the loss to Corellia

I sat alone in the cockpit trying to put the pieces together. It wasn’t the loss to the Rebels that bothered me or even knowing my brother was angry about the stunt I had pulled with our keeper Kaat Stun. What gnawed at my conscious was how Georgia could possibly be pregnant again. The first time we had been careless. Too excited with our adventure of being out on our own for the first time to be bothered with using protection. This time though I was paying for her to see a doctor and receive a prescription for birth prevention pills. They were supposed to be one hundred percent effective. The only way Georgia could be pregnant was if she hadn’t taken those pills. Could she have done this on purpose?

When we got home I waited anxiously in our bedroom for her to put our daughter Serene to bed. “How could you possibly be expecting another baby?” I demanded when she finally walked into the bedroom.

“What do you mean how?” She returned. “You know as well as I do how babies are made.”

“You stopped taking your pills. Didn’t you?”

“What?” She looked at me completely confused. Then her demeanor darkened. “No, how dare you accuse me of such a thing. Look Bartholomew I’m not exactly ready to have another baby. Serene is only 9 months old. I don’t know how this happened. I’m as surprised as you are.” Then her voice softened. “Babies are a blessing. Can’t we just be happy?” She asked putting a hand on her stomach.

Angrily I got off the bed stormed by her and into the master bath. I pulled her pills out of the medicine cabinet and started counting them. “What do you think you’re doing?” She demanded.

“What does it look like I’m doing?” I challenged.

“It looks like your counting my pills, as if you don’t trust what I say to be true.”

“You’ve been after my money since the first time you stepped into my cab. Just admit it. You came on to me. You nearly got me killed. And then you allowed yourself to get knocked up so I would have to marry you. What this is, is a little added extra insurance. I love my daughter and I won’t let you take her. Either you be honest with me or get out.”

“Damn you.” She turned and walked out of the room, down the stairs and out the front door. I was satisfied to hear her speeder roar out of the driveway. Until I tried to get to sleep that night. First I was uncomfortable in my large bed alone. Then Serene began to cry. There was nothing I could do to comfort my daughter. By sunrise I knew I had to find Georgia. My daughter needed her mother. I tracked her down at a hotel in town. Later that day I learned from her doctor that the shipment of birth prevention pills that had been distributed to Georgia and several other women at the practice she went to were defective.

I groveled and pampered my wife through her pregnancy. I came to realize how important my marriage was to me. We learned that Serene would be having a sister. I knew the expenses would be tough on us so I did the only thing I knew how. I took up Limmie. If my littlest brother was a superstar at the sport and my father had played it had to be in my genes. I proved in try-outs that I was more than capable of tackling, dribbling, passing and even scoring. Coach Zan assigned me the starting Full Forward position.

One month before week one

Sweat poured down my brow and stung my eyes. Practicing under the heat of two suns was enough to break any being. I had persevered for this long and quitting had never been an option in my life. I ran down field to retrieve a long pass from midfielder Lyle Kong when I got the call. Coach Zan blew her whistle stopping us mid play. “Bartholomew, your wife is on her way to the med center. The baby is coming.” She said when I reached the sideline.

I grabbed a towel to wipe my face and headed to the locker room. I showered only because I was so soaked with sweat that I would have stuck to the seat in my speeder. The shower was the fastest I had ever taken. When I got there Serene was still dressed. “The contractions just started,” she explained as she handed over Serene.

Georgia was given a room and labor progressed. She was given meds for her pain and was even able to take a few short naps. Then she woke up screaming. I ran to get a doctor. After checking Georgia the doctor ordered me out of the room. I knew something was wrong because when Serene was born I had been allowed to witness the entire process. Moments later I heard the cries of my baby girl. I smiled and hugged my daughter. “You’re a big sister,” I told her. I took a breath thinking that the emergency was a false alarm. Then suddenly the door to my wife’s door opened. The doctor and several nurses were pushing her unconscious form on the bed out the door and down the hall.

A nurse pulled me aside. “Congratulations, you have a healthy baby girl. Your wife has lost a lot of blood,” he explained. “We are taking her to operating. She should be okay, but she’ll be with us for a day or two. Why don’t you go in and meet your new daughter. We will update you on your wife’s condition in a few hours.”

A few hours. It sounded like an eternity. I walked into the room my wife had just been rushed out of. They were mopping her blood up off the floor. “Come on over dad,” a female nurse said holding out my daughter.

She was so beautiful, so tiny, it took my breath away. “Tyffanie,” I said trying out the name we had chosen. She looked at me and I knew we had made a good choice. The nurse helped me feed her first bottle while Serene fell asleep in a chair next to me watching the holo. Soon Tyffanie was asleep as well. I sat alone and worried. I checked my chrono it was the middle of the night, but it would be midafternoon on Ralltiir. I needed comfort and had only one place to turn. I called my mom.

“Sweetheart,” she greeted. “Is the baby coming?” She asked with a huge smile on her face.

“She’s already here,” I moved the data pad to the left so that my mom could see Tyffanie. “A healthy baby girl.”

“She’s beautiful, Bartholomew. What’s wrong?” Even from light years away a mother could sense when something was bothering her son.

“Georgia was rushed to operating right after the birth. I’m here alone and waiting for information on her condition. All they told me was that she lost a lot of blood. Mom, I’m scared.”

“Oh, Bat. I know this can’t be easy for you, but you have to remain strong. Those little girls need you.” She took a moment and looked down at her hands. “Having babies isn’t easy, Bartholomew. Georgia is a strong woman. She’ll pull through this just fine. You should follow the lead of your daughters and get some rest while you can. You are going to be a busy young man very soon,” she warned gently.

I knew my mother was right so I took her advice and rested as best as I could on the stiff sofa in the med center lobby. It was only an hour later that I was given news that Georgia had pulled through and would be waking up shortly. After seeing my wife for a moment I was sent home with two daughters alone. The next two days were a complete blur. I gained more respect for my own mother in those two days than I had in the 21 years before. Georgia called her youngest sister to come help out so I could get back to practice, my job as GM for the Sandskimmers and so I could catch up on sleep.

It was difficult to leave the house a few hours after my wife had returned home. I was so happy to have her back, so happy she was alive. Leaving her even though I knew she was in good hands with her sister was one of the toughest things I ever had to do. I rushed home that evening to hold her. I put my ear to her chest to hear her heart beat. The sound was beautiful.


On field at Archer’s Point opening day against Byblos

Yolonda Dunerider had scored a single bar point during the first half. That was the only point we had. Luckily our own defense was holding nearly as strong. The Red Wings only had a one point advantage as we took the field for the second half. Our deficit quickly became 4 when the Red Wings scored the first and only goal of the game. We closed the gap one point at a time. I was able to pass off to Karuari enabling him to score the first point. Lowatha took down several defenders on another possession which left Yolanda an open shot but Byblos’ keeper was able to get a hand on the ball deflecting it upwards and Yolanda’s shot was only worth one point to us. In the last moments I got open. Lowatha passed the ball my way. Just as I was about to take my shot a feisty defender headed my way breaking my concentration. My shot went up and over the bar. It was good enough for another point, but not the win. We lost 4 – 5.

If I had been walking off this field a year ago I would have been disgusted with myself. I knew now that losing a Limmie game wasn’t a catastrophe. I knew how lucky I was to have my wife, my marriage, my daughters, even my own health. I was proud of myself, my team, my franchise. We huddled up and I praised my teammates for the effort. After congratulating the Red Wings on their victory we hit the showers. I raced home to spend time with my loved ones. I wanted to spend every moment I could with them. It would be a short week before I had to leave for Concordia. Georgia wasn’t strong enough to travel yet and Tyffanie was still just an infant. Leaving them would be difficult. I knew in my heart it was what I had to do. It was what I was meant to do. To follow in my father’s footsteps and support the ones I loved.

Tag: Bardan_Jusik CPL_Macja

 

GM Post

HSN Morning Headlines

• University of Agamar and Garqi Agricultural University will find places for all Bakuran Students who want to play "Proper Limmie"; Tim Dodd announces on behalf of those Institutions and 'Academicals' Organisation.
• "Commissioner Trieste is not the one to blame for this Farce of a Report", he says; having brought that Commission into being, she is more-or-less duty-bound to present its findings as if they had her personal endorsement."
• "TenGate is a non-contact sport, nevertheless there are injuries - sometimes serious injuries - every Season. My own 'career ending' injury occurred when I slipped on a patch of very wet grass while chasing a ball in the 'Outer Rim', as that part of a TenGate field is called. Would those so-called "experts" advocate banning play on ordinary grass unless and until special 'non-slip' "Safety" grass is invented and installed? I rather think they would!"
• He concluded with "Any Physicist on the Commission would have immediately pointed out that the impact force of a ball is directly related to its mass. Therefore, that body probably didn't include one. Personally, I've never known anyone to suffer head-trauma being struck with a child's balloon!"
• Commissioner Lokensgaard arrives on Vertical City for first of two Storm games
• Lokensgaard: "The Storm are a model of resilience. They inspire us all to keep going in tough times."

---

Bonus rolls that aren't rolls for Agamar, Bakura, Carratos, Coruscant, Euceron, Mando'ade, Ralltiir, and Ylesia.

Week 2 Results

Bakura Miners at Hapes Consortium Buccaneers (38-6)
Mando’ade Mercs at Carratos Pirates (18-36)
Euceron Storm at Nar Shaddaa Smugglers (15-33)
Rydonni Prime Monarchs at Agamar Packers (27-20)
Ralltiir Starkillers at Denon Demons (23-6)
Coruscant Senators at Ylesia Lightning (16-37)

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): Tatooine (32), Thyferra (32), Garqi (30), Concordia (30), Eriadu (28).

Limmie Futures League – Week 2
Tatooine Sandskimmers at Concordia Crusaders (29–14)
Gallinore Firedrakes at Druckenwell Marksmen (22–23)
Eriadu Thunder at Garqi Gunners (26–14)
Byblos Red Wings at Thyferra Force (20–9)

TAG: CPL_Macja Bardan_Jusik Vehn Rebecca_Daniels Tim Battershell Runjedirun Jedi Gunny

 

IC: Geoff Copin
Goss-Pell Memorial Stadium

The Scallywags booed as Mereel sent the ball to the top corner past Qazi. This was not the start Geoff wanted, down 4-0 only a few minutes into the game. The offense looked to still be getting their feet under them. There had been some own team collisions and bad passes. The coach accepted these mistakes as a hazard of the aggressive plan he laid out over the last week of practice but, he still would have liked a better start. Logan got the Pirates on the board with a goal from just outside the keeper’s box. Leigh found the full forward open to the left of the goal mouth. She put the ball up and he finished with a header that bounced right under Thorn. Geoff hoped that the rule change in the Bak10 wasn’t brought up to the ELL or, Logan would be in trouble.

The coach looked up to see Mikia put a good hit on Soker, the rookie was keeping a good handle on her mark, staying with her every play. Another Pirate goal from Seiji put them into the lead. The new strategy was bearing fruit but, Geoff couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen, then it did. Tullo moved to clear the ball but, collided with Seiji coming down to block. Their skulls crashed together as both players hit the ground. The Iktochi was slow to get up. The medical staff of both teams saw to their respective members. The Pirates half forward was done for the day with a concussion, as was Tullo. If that had happen at last Pirates/Mercs game Geoff would’ve had to play a man down on the field or forfeit. Thankfully Gor was ready to go.

The coach gave the nod and the young Nikto jogged out on to the field under a cheering crowd. The offense carried on unaffected by the loss of one of their veterans. The chaos in front of the Thorn seemed to confuse Mauntak, the Helmsman award winner looked lost in the crossing lines the offense was running. Before the coach could get his hopes up too high Ciegarth got possession and passed it up to Mor'kesh. The team captain rushed past the Teaics and into the offensive zone. He passed to Daryc who had been playing with a chip on his shoulder all game, most likely linked to the injury he suffered last game. The Mandaloreian muscled his way around Rhodri to make the Mercs second goal. Gor tied the score up quickly with a bar point. The rest of the first half went tit-for-tat with the Pirates just edging out their opponents 13 to 12.

The front six looked fired up, after a shaky start they finally got it together. Mikia and Logan grinned at each other.

“Good header.” She said

“Good tackle,” he replied, Geoff had noticed a change in the young forward’s demeanor since Sandin joined the team. He drove toward the net harder and was quicker to fore check than before. Else looked at the empty space were Seiji would be. Leigh put a hand on her fellow half forward’s shoulder.

“It’s just for this game. He’ll be back for our match against the Smugglers.”

“I know” Else sighed. It still amazed Geoff at how much this team acted like a family. When one was hurt, everyone felt it. It was the same when Brian was gone and when Logan was injured.

“Ok team,” the coach said “we’ve done very good up till now we need to keep this intensity going, we need to come out for the second half like there was never a break. We have them in a corner I can feel it, let’s finish this.”

“Aye, Aye” The team responded

From the start of the second half it was the Pirates game. The offense was overwhelming the Mercs defense. Logan scored another goal picking up the rebound of one of Gor’s shots. Geoff felt proud that his plan worked. The offense was finally showing the bite he knew it had. Thorn attempted to clear the ball only to have it be pulled down by Leigh who quickly put up a bar point. Rooker managed to break out of the pack and kick the ball up to Gozer. Marcus was all over the Devaronian causing him to make a weak pass that was picked off by Mikia. The play ended in a goal by Gor. The rookie smirked at Logan as he reset.

The Mercs went on the attack moving quickly down into Pirate’s territory. The rush came so fast that the half backs were taken by surprise. Brian stepped up to challenge Arnock. The corner forward just pushed him aside on his way to the goal. Qazi was caught looking for the pass, never saw the shot. Brian kicked the turf he wanted his first game back to be special but, so far he’d just been made the fool.

The Quarren keeper punted to Rhodri. The Ingbrand award nominee charged through the midfield before passing up to Else. Rooker quickly striped the ball from her changing the flow of play in an instant. The opposing counter attack was stopped by Mikia coming out of nowhere to make the tackle on Daryc. The rookies seemed to be having a stellar game. Gor made his first goal in his first game and Mikia was making smart plays and stronger tackles. When the ref blew the whistle to end the match the Pirates had won handily with a franchise high score of 36 to 18.

After the handshakes Geoff called his wife.

“Hey hon, I feel like celebrating, where do you want to go.”

“I’m sorry babe, Ira woke up sick so we had to stay home.” He silently cursed himself. He had left before anyone was up again and didn’t even check on his daughters. “But, if you want to go out and party with your team go ahead.” Geoff could sense the pain in her words.

“I’ll be home in a couple of hours, ok babe.”

“Alright, have fun.” He hung up and headed out with some of his players to a local bar called the Stacked Deck. Once inside, many patrons stopped to applaud and, the music changed over to Drunken Spacer. The Pirates took a booth in the corner. Mikia and Logan sat together at one end with Rhodri, Gor, Leigh, Else and Geoff filling out the group. The coach spent more than a couple hours laughing with his players and lightly reminding them that they had practice the following morning. It didn’t stop Logan and Gor from trying to drink each other under the table. They were just lucky Rhodri didn’t get involved. Every once in a while Geoff would look to Leigh and find her staring at a door near the back of the bar, rubbing a credit chip between the index finger and thumb of her right hand. The coach checked his chrono and realized he had been out too late. He went home quickly after paying his tab.
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Shield Towers, O’pahz, Carratos

When Geoff entered his apartment, Laura wasn’t waiting for him. His heart sunk a bit. With his mind too active to sleep just yet he decided to browse the holo-net. There he found a chilling news report of a double homicide just outside Goss-Pell Memorial. The article didn’t give the identities of the victims but, said they were a Zeltron female and a Barabel male. Worried it could be Boutros and Vayan he looked for any holos of the incident and saw that someone had leaked the crime scene holos. A sigh of relief escaped him, neither victim was a Pirate. Upon closer inspection he discovered something that may have scared him more, a matching tattoo around the left eye socket of the Barabel and along the right side of the Zeltron’s neck, a Star Dragon. Geoff shut off the holo-projector, sure murders happen every day in O’pahz but, for the victims to be Star Dragons. That was something altogether different. The stadium was their territory and for someone to kill two Dragons in the shadow of it, the coach didn’t want to think about the implications. He went to bed and cuddled next to his wife.

“I’m sorry babe,” He whispered into her ear, “I’m so sorry.” Seeing those pictures shocked him, reminded him that you’re never as safe as you feel.

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