Star Wars OPEN Elite League Limmie

GM Post

HSN Headlines

• Bakura Miners trade sixth and seventh or eighth overall picks of 284 Draft, both in the first round, to the Rydonni Prime Monarchs in exchange for first overall draft pick in 284 in blockbuster trade
• This will be the Miners first overall pick in the history of the Draft
• Rydonni Prime Monarchs will have the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninths picks in the 284 Draft as they also own the Carratos' Pirates first overall draft pick this year
  • No team has ever had four consecutive draft picks in League history
• HSN Analyst: "The Miners have an opportunity to find their next franchise player immediately after playing in a Final. If they can find one, they'll be in the catbird seat for seasons to come. If they blow it, this could be what gets Quinn Cundertol fired in two or three seasons"

TAG: CPL_Macja

 

IC: Mikia Sandin-Manx
Sequoia Field, Aphran

On the field I hear the crowd chanting, singing 'Drunken Spacer'. It is like a joyous chorus as the fans voices thundered down from the stands. With every stomp of their feet I feel my mind focus, this wasn't just so we could go to the finals, this wasn't for us, this was for them. For the people that had been through hell, the people like Logan. Before the match begins in earnest I give one last look to the sideline, he's there gazing out over the field his yellow cybernetic flashes in my direction. It's still a little unnerving, seeing his eye like that.

I can let that distract me, I have to focus, I have to play the game of my life. Right out of the gate, with the crowd cheering behind her, Cutty takes possession and rushes down the field. It is no secret that she is angry about not even being nominated for the Ingbrand Award, I would be too if I put in the same amount of work and not get even a hint of recognition. She out ran everyone on our team and sliced her way through the Mercs' defense. In a reckless move she charges the net throwing a had shot that is stopped easily by Katan.

The lightning fast attack put the 'Away' team on the back foot right away and the delay between Katan stopping the shot and putting the ball back into play gave us time to lock in the 'Iron Cage'. A system developed under 'Iron' Arezzo and somewhat perfected under 'One Eye' Logan. It had always been weak against very physical defenses like the Mercs but, Logan had found a way to make it work with our superior speed on the attack. Our forwards ran circles around the defenders pestering them breaking up plays and keeping the pressure on.

Mauntak, Logan's old rival from his playing days, crushed Tian, knocking the ball loose only for it to be picked up by Leigh and set up the first goal of the game only minutes from the start. From the sideline I hear a roar. Looking over it's Boutros shouting across the field to Tian, telling her to shake it off. The Pantoran seems to do just that, dusting herself off and getting right back into the play. There are a few more crushing hits in the Mercs zone but, still they are unable to get out. Hemmed in by the forwards running interference.

Soon the Mercs burst out eager to score and get this game turned around. Kendal gets off a pass to Arock. A huge impact sounds behind me as Kala and Arock collide. The crowd is on their feet cheering after the hit. If there were any Fandalorains in the stands, they were drowned out by the Scallywags. There is so much pent up enthusiasm that it is almost palpable. The fans need this, hell we need this, to finally hear our own people cheer us on, to know that they are watching us. Arock breaks up the play but, Kala is right on him giving no path to the goal.

Unfazed the Corner Forward dishes out to one of his teammates and they make a bar point. The crowd boos for a short while then cheer just as fiercely when Qazi puts the ball into play. The ball is turned over in the midfield and gets moved to Kendal. She doesn't see me coming. I lower my shoulder and take her to the ground recovering fast enough to chip the ball forward. She gets up with a bit of a snarl and I glare back. This is how these games are played, hard and fast. We retain control until Leigh scores putting us up by five.

More blocks, and devastating hits, on both sides. Kendal comes screaming down the lane I put myself in the path. She blows past me with a hard shoulder shove breaking my tackle and sending me to the ground. I get up gritting my teeth, that's going to leave a bruise. The Scallywags start singing 'Drunken Spacer' as I get up. I give them a thumbs up and the stands explode, with a deafening cheer. Arock may have assisted with another bar point but that didn't bother me. We still had control and the lead, a sizable lead going into Halftime.

During the break we take the time to nurse our wounds. Tian recovering from the hits she's taken care of Mauntak. Boutros is helping her ice the bruises along her sides. Logan moves up close to me.

"You doing ok?" he asks, half smirking, "Kendal blew though you pretty hard."

I smile and rub my chest where I feel a dull ache. "It's fine, I've taken harder."

The concern plays over his face, he's still not quite used to this, not just yet. "Well you tell me if anything changes. Sylvanus in ready to take your place."

"I'll be fine Logan. This is an important game, I'm not going to let one hit take me out."

He coughs into his hand a little and moves to about the center of the room. Everyone turns to look. "Guys listen up." He calls out, now all eyes are on him, "I just want to say, that no matter what, you played the best limmie of your lives this season, you never gave up, never sat down and felt sorry for yourselves. Especially when you had every reason to. You kept fighting, and you brought us here, now we, have to finish this. We've come too far to stop, we're going to ride this wave, ride it all the way to the finals." The crowd noise begins to pick up as the half is ending, "You hear that," he points from his chair down the tunnel, "They waited twelve weeks to see us play, to see us take on this team. Now let's go out there and give them a game they will never forget."

I step back onto the field ready to finish this, we are knocking on the door to the finals, a place we've been before, twice. This time felt different, this time it felt like we could win. Then the unthinkable happens. Cutty misses the start. Instead of a fast push into the Mercs zone we're playing off the back foot as the physical forwards roll though our team. I step up but, Jang gets around Bestide passing over to Arock. Then soon after the buzzer sounds, they scored. After holding them without a goal for a whole half less than a minute in and they break that.

The Mercs were surging and we were holding on. Behind me I hear huge slamming sounds, like two airspeeders crashing into each other. Arock is the one player we need to keep off the scoresheet, and Kala is doing his best. It is like two titans duking it out behind me. The Mercs are keeping the pressure on and it's wearing us thin. The tension between me and Kendal is heating up, her eyes harden, and her hits are becoming more and more aggressive. They're coming close to breaking even and it seems nerves are dancing on a blades edge.

I'm breathing heavy after minutes of constant attacks, and the rough physical play my mark is using. I feel more bruises forming and I know Kendal isn't without a scratch. It's been I don't know how long and no one has scored, all it has been is a defensive slog of bodies colliding, and heavy impacts into the ground, and over it all the cheering fans, on their feet hoping their team can pull out a win. Because it's not just us at the door to the finals, the Mercs want it just as badly and are making a comeback.

At the sideline I see Logan looking worryingly towards the defense, he is always been worried about the defense, whether or not he could lead one. We've been doing ok but, now it was dangerous. We've pushed back and the forwards have had some time to try and extend our lead, with Ariel getting a goal and Leigh putting up a bar point but, the Mercs have out shot us by so much that I'm not sure we can stem the rising tide. After we've come so far and played so well in the first half to have it end like this, I won't let it.

The Mercs have closed within one point of us, a single bar point and they can force overtime. I know I'm running on fumes and I can see it in the other players. We can't make it, we need to stop this now. We hold strong and more crushing hits, hits that would seriously injure a normal being, sound behind me as Kala holds Arock off for just a few more minutes. Jang breaks free with only seconds on the clock. He's not looking my way, he's looking for the bar, the single point that will buy them more time to use the momentum they've gained.

I take off in a sprint, Kendal moves towards the net hoping for a pass. Jang doesn't flinch. I see his leg go back, and in that moment the crowd, for the first time goes nearly silent. The instant before his boot connects I leap into the air in a desperate attempt to block the shot. The ball comes out high but, not high enough to go over my airborne form. My hand just touches it before I slam it into the ground with all the force I can muster.

The crowd erupts into joyous cheers as I land on shaky legs. The clock hits zero and everything goes. The team cheers and announcer booms over the speakers that we've won, we've punched our ticket to the finals. Poine is the fist to reach me, or team captain pulls me into a hug lifting me off the ground. The emotion of the moment drives my fist into the air with a shout. All the pain, all the loneliness I've felt this year suddenly doesn't matter. We did it, we made it to the finals. That alone is an achievement for me, for us.

Soon the whole team is gathered around me, Kala the tall, strong corner back lifts me up all the way to his shoulders. With as many hits as he took from Arock I'm surprised he's still standing. The stands are bursting with cheers and the chorus of 'Drunken Spacer', even a few of the team getting in on it. Soon everyone is gathered around me and Kala, the stalwart that held off their top scorer for nearly an entire half and the woman who put the game away. But, this game isn't about individual achievements, it's about the team, the team that soldiered on without a home and made it this far when no one thought they ever would.

The emotion fades and I'm brought back down to level ground. At the sideline beaming with pride and tears running down the right side of his face, is Logan, our coach. I drop to a knee and press my forehead to his.


"You got it in you for another game?" He asks smiling.

"Of course, give me five minutes, and I'll do this all again."

TAG: Bardan_Jusik

 

​

"Hi I'm Ken Kitterich with your five by five sports update brought to you by Merr-Sonn, Fill you enemies with primal fear, fill their lungs with fire, Merr-Sonn."

"Well folks, the College Finals were last night and as I'm sure you all saw, the KMI Warriors fell to the University of Csilla 14-9 in a game that wasn't even that close. University of Csilla proved the doubters wrong with good ball movement and steady play between the pipes. Asked if she was coming out in the draft Csilla junior Goalkeeper Michonne said..."

"You're damn right I am, my stock will never be higher. ELL, here I come."

"So there you go, I'm Ken Kitterich and this has been your five by five sports update. I'll be back with you next hour at five after the hour but until then more of the Rancor Pitt, right here on the Fandalorian!"

TAG: All/No one.

 

IC: Dash Stonlon
Bakura Gardens, Salis D’aar, Bakura



“Congratulations on a great season,” Dash said as he shook the hand of the longtime-Senator Christine Gamble. “There’s still a lot left in your fuel cells, I know it. Best of luck to you, wherever you are next season.”

The head coach was always the last being in the handshake line at the end of a playoff game. That’s the way it was and, if you asked Dash, the way it should be. It meant that he was the last member of the Miners that each Senator would clasp hands with before heading back to the locker room to face a long offseason that would be made all the longer after not being able to play in the Final that would be held at their house.

Dash had been on the other side of this handshake line too many times. It’s why he looked each Senator in the eye as he took their hand.

“Congratulations on a great season,” he said to each of them in turn.

Cannon Mallonn.

Jamee Meels.

Eddie Munster.

“Congratulations on a great season,” he said to Klay Mettews. “You played hungry out there. Keep it up.”

Laura Cellen.

Kelly Vurgess.

Oola Ban.

“Congratulations on a fantastic rookie season,” Dash said to Zeus Syndulla. “Top notch work.”

George Wulson.

Grace Organa.

Maddy Swann.

“Congratulations on a great season,” he said to Harper Rice, his former Bak10 foe. “Way to play big back here at the Gardens. Good on you.”

Bergal Rotramel.

Aaltoides Minte.

“Congratulations on a great season,” he said to Rowdy Roosey, the scrapper. “Thank the Force I was born too early to play you. I think you would have broken me in two.”

Selene Bondi.

Maximus Qorbus.

“Congratulations on a great season, you old war horse,” he said to Anya Amasova, giving the Hapan veteran a nod.

Rhodri Gwy’nedd.

Gargova Broussard.

Zuzu Nuun.

Hela Montego.

“Congratulations on a great season,” he said to Natasha Ehlers. “Gave us some stunners in there. Well played.”

Conar Kraft.

Vail Pin.

“Congratulations on a great season,” he said to Jayla Leed, the veteran with an uncertain future. “Honor to face off with you twice in a season. Hope to see you back out here next season.”

And then the last of the players, their captain. “Congratulations on a great season, Leia,” he said, firmly shaking the Miners great’s daughter’s hand. No, Leia Adama was a great in her own right now. She did not live in her father’s shadow anymore. “This is not the end. You’ll be back here again and I’ll be glad it’s not me on the sidelines that day.”

Then came the coaches.

Keli Sen.

Travers Mercator.

Artie Gurvey.

Reno.

Lam Kordo.

Kero Imboll.

And then the big one.

“Kyril, what a season. Could have just as easily been you today,” Dash said, pumping the other head coach’s hand. “I’m glad I won’t be around next season because it’s going to be a rough one for everybody else with the team you’ve got. A few more additions and they’re champions. Great season, Kyril.”

The pair broke and Dash was pulled not into another handshake, but a giant hug from his Assistant Coach.

“You blasted devil!” Roy Cardan exclaimed. “You make a being want to coach again!”

“Och, we got their confidence back!” Dash said, his face breaking into a smile as he pounded Cardan on the back for all the cameras to see.

“We’re going to Coruscant!”

“Roy, I was always going to Coruscant this week with the Bimm. This was just about the rest of you coming with us,” Dash said.

That one gave Cardan a good laugh.

“Gentlebeings, the Solo Conference Championship Trophy,” the public address announcer informed the home crowd, who was going wild for their first home win since 277 and their first Galactic Cup Final since then.

They had avoided this topic for the last two weeks. They’d even stayed away from it during halftime. No one had said a word about steering clear of this matter. They’d all been silent on instinct. It was the age-old question: touch the conference trophy or not? The latter case had tradition behind it: you didn’t want this trophy--you wanted the one that came with the next win.

Kragen Arnoy was the one who would have the opportunity to receive or decline the hardware. He didn’t even hesitate as he grabbed it, almost right out of the hands of the Elite League official who was on hand to bestow it. In fact, he shouted for the entire team to join him and a cascade of players and coaches followed, Dash included, for the holo to memorialize the victory. You would have thought with their enthusiasm that it was the Galactic Cup itself.

Dash boldly put one hand on the trophy at the first opportunity. Kragen and Dash were of one mind of this: it was a near miracle that they’d pulled off this game. It didn’t just have to do with what everyone had thought they were capable of at the start of the season (which was nothing). They’d been on a losing streak to end the season and the Senators had been hot. The final score didn’t reflect how hard the Senators had played start to finish. Dash was proud of what the team had done and they had every right to celebrate winning the Solo Conference.

They were the 19th Galactic Cup Finalists and the fourth Solo Conference Champions in Bakura Miners history and they were right proud of it.

---

After the fans had left, the media had their clips and quotes, the players had gone home, and the refuse collection droids had almost finished their work picking up after over 100,000 fans, Dash walked down the corridor towards the lot where his speeder was parked. Already his mind was beginning to go over the rematch with the Pirates. He’d said it after the first game and he’d meant it--their first meeting had been a coin toss. If the Pirates wanted to think they had the advantage based on their first meeting, they were welcome to do so. Dash was going to make sure his team knew that neither team had the edge. This game would have to be earned by either side.

This was what was on his mind when he registered a being leaning against the permacrete wall of the bowels of the Gardens.

“You came,” Dash said, his mouth curling into a thin smile.

“You think I would have missed this and left without seeing you? Your Ma would have killed me,” the gray haired human said, stepping forward.

“Och, Da, she would have been proud today,” Dash told his father as he embraced him.

“No more proud than she was the first time she saw you play a pro game, but that’s only because she was already so damn proud of you, son,” Mr. Stonlon said as he returned his father’s hug with equal warmth.

“Would have loved for her to be here,” Dash said.

“She is. Sure as the stars above, she is.”

The father and son let their embrace go on.

---

Oranga Theater, Coruscant

“...Dashric Stonlon of the Bakura Miners.”

There was a great huzzah from the 13 Bimm seated around him as Dash stood. He received some encouraging slaps on the back and a handshake from those closest to him before he headed up to the stage to accept the Langann Award as the best coach in the Elite League.

“You know, this has got to be the best temp job I’ve ever had,” Dash said, eliciting laughter from the crowd. “In all seriousness, I am nothing but grateful to be here and to receive this honor. There are so many beings I have to thank. First and foremost, the 15 players who have taken the field every week and have believed in the system and the philosophy of what we wanted to do and who we wanted to be. Roy Cardan--for a man who’s been burned you agreed to walk through fire with me and I couldn’t have done this without you. The Miners front office, Quinn and Saoirse, thanks for keeping the lights on and the paychecks coming because Force knows you had every reason not to sometimes. The Triestes, thanks for standing behind the team even though I know it wasn’t convenient given everything that was going on off the field. Gaeri, I literally would not be here without your confidence in me and recommendation. Now we’ve both got one of these. To my Pa and Ma, who took me to so many practices when I was a kid and supported me throughout my career as a player and coach, this belongs to both of you as much as it does me.

“Most importantly, I want to thank my peers: Reina, Romo, Jorman, Mylessa, Loren and Trey, Leota, Edgar, Ryi, Kyril, Cherry, and Billi. You never gave us a single point out of pity. You played us fair and square and that’s the way it should be. Without all of you playing the game hard and right this award wouldn’t mean much. And Billi, looking forward to the rematch in just a bit. Thank you all, thank you.”

Dash left the stage and couldn’t help but admire the trophy in his hands again when he was backstage.

“Coach of the year,” Dash said to himself. “So this is how it feels…”

---

Senators Stadium
127th Galactic Cup Final



Dash had never been here before. Not Coruscant--he’d been here. And while this was the first time he’d ever been to Senators Stadium, that wasn’t what was on his mind.

Dashric Stonlon had never played for a championship like this before.

Every time a limmie team of his had made the playoffs, they’d always lost before that ultimate game. He’d come the closest in the Bak10, which had no championship game and awarded its title to the team with the best regular season record. He’d lost games that had turned out to decide the championship, but never been in an honest-to-goodness, winner-gets-the-big-trophy game like this before. And even when he’d had that game, he’d always been the one to go down.

All week long he’d treated this like any other game precisely because it wasn’t any other game. It was the big one, but the moment you started working yourself up over the fact it was bigger than another was the moment you started losing the game.

As he had every week before it, Dash walked down the corridor towards the field at the end of the line of players, a blinding, bright light before them. Beyond lay all the pageantry and pomp the Elite League could muster for the most hallowed day on its calendar, for a clash of conference champions. Dash could feel the energy run through Senators Stadium. He thought for a moment how differently this season could have gone had his team had to play the Senators here instead of two games at home.

Before him marched the Miners, these improbable Miners. His words from just minutes before came to his mind, his attempt to prepare them for this.

“No one expected us to come this far.”

Kragen Arnoy led the way: the grim, determined captain who was determined to show the Smug Dragon just who he was. A king under the mountain in his own right.

“We are an improbable team. Not impossible. Improbable.”

He was joined by 12 other Bimm, beings that many other teams would have said were good “specialist” players--at best. Useful in specific situations as reserves and certainly not in such numbers. Maybe a handful across the galaxy could be good enough to be a starter according to such wisdom. Certainly not 13 of them, especially undrafted players that had spent over a decade straining their muscles in the bowels of the earth.

“We face a team that has overcome just as much as we have.”

This was to say nothing of an old being, one who had spent his life watching the game and never playing it. Such creaking joints could never withstand the punishment of 60 minutes a game for 11 straight weeks. Let alone a double overtime game. Let alone a playoff game. Let alone two playoff games.

“Everything you have done this season, perhaps your entire lives, has been in preparation for this moment.”

That a human approaching middle age with no limmie experience should be considered the most likely one to be on the field was saying something. He was a being with hands more suited to fixing injuries on the sidelines instead of gripping the stitching of a bolo-ball. He hadn’t even wanted to do this at first. It had been “just until they’d found someone else.” And then he was that someone else.

“A storm awaits out there. A storm of black and white.”

Immediately ahead of his was a grizzled veteran whose name was synonymous with failure on the pitch. A being who the galaxy said was most suited to be a barfly at best and a drunkard at worst.

“Today, we risk it all.”

To say nothing of him, their head coach. An also-ran.

“And there is only one question to be answered.”

They all now played for the greatest prize in limmie.

“You will ask it tonight…”

The Galactic Cup.

“...a week from now…”

The holy grail.

“...a year from now…”

A shot at immortality, at names etched into silver.

“...that day when death comes for you…”

Dash pulled his shoulders up and fixed his gaze forward.

“...when you lie there…”

The field.

“...and you think back on this game…”

The field of glory.

“...will you be able to tell yourself…”

Destiny.

“...that you were the being you wanted to be?”

The Galactic Cup Final.

“Go forth and play with the pride deep in your heart.”

“Gentlebeings,” the public address announcer said, “the Bakura Miners.”

With that, they took the field.

TAG: Jedi Gunny for being a fantastic host and conference final opponent (hope I got all the names right!) and galactic-vagabond422 for being a formidable opponent

 

Sub GM Post

Good Afternoon and Welcome to the LFL Futures League Finals at Senators Stadium on Coruscant.

Bonus potential for Concordia (30)

Kamino Waves vs. Concordia Crusaders (14-1)

Congratulations to the Kamino Waves 283 Limmie Futures League Champions!

Tag Bardan_Jusik

 

IC: Kala Fani Alaree
Coruscant

Having the Finals at home, but not with the home team, felt like a major disappointment. Kala understood that her team had given the fans at home something to feel good about for the first time in a decade, which was how long it had been since they had last seriously challenged for a Conference title. It was no secret that the Senators hadn’t done well at all since conferences were implemented in the League. But the way they had lost, to be shredded at the hands of the Miners again, it was tough. Kala was like the fans; they didn’t want to see a loss. No one did. It sucked to lose.

But she wasn’t going to let that ruin her plans for the Finals. Even if her team couldn’t be participating for the Cup title, she could still put on a good face for the entire planet. It felt odd to be adopting Coruscant as her own, since she was Corellian by birth and therefore had no reason to care. But this team had given her a reason to care, because they were hers. After some initial misunderstandings between her and the players, they had come to an understanding. She had proven her worth to the players and willingness to make sure that the team would once again find success. They had done something in winning a playoff game that hadn’t been done in a while, and in her first year, so something had been working. She wasn’t quite sure what it was, but she wanted to keep up that momentum. And hosting an epic Finals experience was just another part of that plan.

Hardly anyone had heard of her prior to the season, and yet still the casual fan at home didn’t know her name during the offseason or season. But they would know now who was pulling the strings on the Galactic Capital. This was her party, her team, her new world, and nothing would ruin that. If the Senators couldn’t play for the title, no one would notice because the Senators would still be there. Maybe the Miners and Pirates would play for the actual Cup, but it would be in the sea of black and orange that they would do it in. It would provide a sense of subliminal advertising, showing that the Senators were here, and no one else could claim this territory as their own. Anyone who underestimated the home team was foolish. And Kala wanted to bring that demeanor to the Finals in any way that she could.

So she had spared no expense on this event. The FanFest experience was similar to that as had been hosted in previous years, with plenty for fans to do. There was, however, no dunk tank, mostly because Kala was afraid that if there was, she would somehow get roped into participating, and that wasn’t going to happen. She didn’t want to have her fabulous or perfectly-done hair ruined. But the color scheme for the hosting team was always there, whether it was balloons inflated at corner stands or on pretty much everything else. The only items that had been left to other teams and their logos were usually something subtle, like on the jugs that were stacked and then knocked over by a thrown ball from a distance. Those carnival games usually featured logos of other teams, which was a slight nod to home fans to participate and spend their money on taking out pyramids of Mercs bottles, Smugglers-themed Whack-a-Mole, or the ever-popular Miners dartboard. Some had wanted Alana Glencross’s face to be plastered on those for the glee of home fans, but that had been axed as being too blatant disrespect, especially since the Miners were to be playing in the Final and therefore many Miners fans had made their way here. Since the object here was making some money as well as treating the fans to an experience, some things had to be cut. But they wouldn’t go to waste. No, ideas like that would make for excellent features at the 284 preseason FanFest for the Senator faithful. They would certainly enjoy it.

One more subtle jab at another team was not at the festival itself, but instead hanging high above Senator Stadium. Although a very astute observer could decipher it if they looked closely enough, the average fan wouldn’t be able to tell. There was a full set of twelve flags hanging on various poles around the stadium, each one representing the different teams in the Elite League. The one for the Chandrila Patriots, however, was being kept slightly lower on its pole than the other flags. And it was backwards. Take that, Patriot Nation.

During the FanFest, all sorts of Finals-themed events were going on. These were out of Kala’s control, as they were being held by the League. The Commissioner wanted to show up and make a scene out of things, much to the owner’s chagrin. But she played along nonetheless, even though it was like pulling teeth.

The events that she did have control over were for the home fans, many of whom didn’t have tickets to the Final but wanted to come regardless. It was the first time since 272 that the Capital planet was hosting a Final, so it was a very unique event for the home fans. This meant bringing back plenty of old Senators to sign autographs and have Holos taken with fans. Some of the big names were obviously included, but former Senators from all over had shown up as well. Lesser-known players and role players, such as Venn Sto, the last Senator goalie to play in a Cup Final, Jed Ortmeyer, the former Miners, Smuggler and Senator forward who was now the GM for the Thyferra Force, Brosh We’kyr, the Bothan 262 champion midfielder whose career had unfortunately been cut short after injuries sustained in the team kidnapping in the mid-260s, and Cameron Veryist, the 262 champion who had been one of two players to not be snatched by space pirates and who led the Senators to the Final that year as assistant captain. Even Syprul Raches, the captain of that depleted Senators team and 268 Numifolis Award winner, made some appearances. For Senator fans, it was a reminder of the “Golden Days” for their team, and would hopefully fuel their intensity to make a similar run in the coming years.

But the biggest draw was the Senator legends. S’rily, Horstse, Vayne, Contar, Fil’yer, Orchetrada, Fil’ish, and Heatly, plus some of the older Senator players in the team Hall of Fame. Even Petra Givens, the now ancient Limmie Hall of Fame member who had played in the 220s and 230s, was able to make a brief appearance. She had once played with all-time great Anki Rysowt, arguably one of the greatest Senators of all time behind Lysander Perkins and the age-old “Mr. Coruscant”, Jipoly Numifolis. And she had been a stout player herself, one of the legends throughout the ages that had made Senator Limmie what it was in the modern day.

The Awards had been an interesting experience. Unfortunately, no Senators had taken home any hardware for their turnaround season, so there was definitely room for improvement for the next season. But this had been a building year, and Carratos and Bakura certainly had their reasons to be doubted in the media coming into the year. The Senators couldn’t compete for votes when they went up against that level of competition, or against the Mercs and Fu Arock after scoring over 300 points during the regular season. Sometimes, you just had to bow your head and acknowledge that there were better candidates out there. But Kala had a good time regardless. Having four nominations on the ballot meant that the League was taking notice of the Senators franchise again after pretty much writing them off over the past decade. It meant that something was being built here.

Then there was the LFL Final. It turned out to be a slugfest by the Kamino Waves defense as they dismantled Concordia 14-1. Kala wasn’t very attuned to the Thyferra Force, since they technically weren’t hers, but it would have been nice to see the Force in this game regardless. But they had won two LFL titles in the past few seasons, so there was success there already. Now, if that same talent could help her franchise win a Cup, then she knew she would be very grateful to Gark S’rily for his foresight on that front.

When it came time for the main event, the big game, Kala still had some tricks up her sleeve. There were many Senator fans in the stands who were here to see the game anyways, so she would cater to them. Before the game began, she made sure to trot out the Senators’ two title teams from the current “Age”, the 262 and 268 Senators. It had been fifteen years since the Senators had gotten their hands on the trophy, an interminable amount of time for fans. But at least this would ease their minds a little for not getting the chance to play for the 283 Cup title.

“The 262 Coruscant Senators,” the public address announcer said. There was the team, the “Miracle” squad that had been left for dead by the team’s previous owners before Andromeda Steel and Droid Corp. had bought them. This was the team full of misfits and local kids who had, against all odds, taken the Kashyyyk Rangers, then the hottest team in the League, to school in the Final to take home a Cup and end the long period of suffering for Senator fans. This was the team that had seen a much younger Gark S’rily, the roguish Andromeda executive, pull together the roster and pin the captaincy on one Dirxx Horstse, the son of the Senator great Dain Horstse who was still struggling to live in his father’s shadow. The move had been widely critiqued and criticized at the time, but it had been the right decision. Now both of them were in the sport’s Hall of Fame on Empress Teta, their statue busts next to each other. Horstse made sure to raise the Cup the team had won above his head once again, showing it off to the crowd. He didn’t care if the Miner or Pirates fans were bored with the spectacle. That was their problem. They were on Senator turf, and they had to deal with it. Polis Vayne, the University of Coruscant product who figured he was soon going to be out of the League coming into 262, had his Numifolis Award to show off, which he had taken out of his trophy case at home. Both awards hadn’t been on a Limmie field since they had been won twenty years earlier. Vayne had gone from being a skinny player to one of the most vaunted forwards of his day. It also didn’t hurt his legacy to have two Cups to his name, or to have married Smuggler great Meredith Chambers. That, however, was a different story.

When the 262 team left the field, on came the 268 team. Many of the same players were there, but so were other players, role players, players that many fans had forgotten about. But they, and very likely the Miners fans in the stands, hadn’t forgotten Alysha Romax, the midfielder who had made one of the greatest plays in recent Senator history with her excellent assist to teammate Izzi Polakaya to score the game-winning goal against Bakura in the League Semifinals after one-upping Alana Glencross in the fight to snatch a wobbly pass from the air. The Senators had gone on to stymie the Genet Vornskyrs in the Final that year, avenging their loss to Genet in the 266 Finals that had been a real heartbreaker, a one-point loss. This team was much stronger on flimsy than the 262 team had been, with the additions of Jed Ortmeyer, Moen Heatly, Adanna Inviere, and Jerek Deter. Those players had been instrumental in leading the Senators to the 268 title and very nearly a perfect season in 269 when Vandelhelm found a way to beat them twice en route to winning the Cup. But this team was great regardless, perhaps the best Senator team in the past fifty years. Syprul Raches, the Shistavanen full forward who had never quite reached the same level of stardom as some of his teammates, had his Numifolis Award with him to show off.

And Kala made sure to also have the current Senators there, including the captains from the past seasons’ team. She wanted Christine Gamble and Jayla Leed to see what they would be missing if they decided to leave the Senators in the offseason. It was for the fans’ benefit, but it was also a subtle message to the two stars to stick it out a few more seasons. After all, they were a major reason why the Senators had gotten this far during the season, and would be important for any possibility of continued success.

When it came time for the game to be played, Kala slumped back into her seat. Despite all of her work, she still would have rather seen her team playing for the title instead of the Miners. But she also gave herself a mental note to be stored away for the time being.

Someday, her team would be here. She would make sure of that. And then no other team could stand in their way. Maybe not this year, maybe not next year, but someday the Senators would have their turn in the sun again.


Because they were her team.

TAG: Everyone (for the Final/LFL Final/Awards, but especially Trieste and galactic-vagabond422 for having to follow up my amazing pageantry

 

GM Post

Two number one seeds, both with bonus potential. The score speaks for itself.


127th Galactic Cup Final
Senators Stadium, Coruscant
(1) Bakura Miners vs. (1) Carratos Pirates (35-37)

Congratulations to the Carratos Pirates, the 284 Galactic Cup Champions!

TAG: galactic-vagabond422

 

GM Approved!!

Name: Vera Grames
Gender: Female
Birth Year: 254ABY
Physical Appearance: Blonde hair, slender, blue eyes
Homeworld: Nar Shaddaa
Relation to Team: TBD



Vera Lynn Grames may have been born on Nar Shaddaa but she spent most of her youth in some of the finest schools on Naboo. While on Naboo she befriended the future queen, Eleanor Vehn, and the two remained close despite their life paths taking completely different directions.

Her top scores in class, coupled with her well placed connections, landed her a graphic design job on Druckenwell in the mid 270s creating memorable holo-posters for new datapads, clothing lines, and shoes. Vera met her future husband while working on a collaborative project with Blastech Industries and enjoyed several years of marriage to him before the war with Roon broke out. A draft ensued and the young couple found themselves torn apart by circumstances beyond their control.

Vera reluctantly stayed home while her husband went off to fight in a conflict neither of them could understand. Life on the home front wasn't easy for Vera as she struggled to find food due to a severe rationing policy. II Avali, once a booming metropolis, fell on hard times as the war progressed and people were forced to do without. Families and friends turned on one another. Trials ensued and lives were lost. Mercifully, the war was starting to wind down just as people were starting to turn on Vera for her respectable choice in wardrobe.

Vera was ecstatic when the surrender documents were signed on Nime. The war was over. Her husband would be coming home soon. Fate had other plans. Fate had a way of changing everything. A transmission delay prevented the ceasefire from being broadcasted to the soldiers on the front. Vera's husband was shot down over the skies of Mon Grappa just hours after the war had officially ended by Federation soldiers who received the message too late. Vera was devastated. She spent much of 282-283 in seclusion, processing, grieving, and wondering if there was much of a future for her on Druckenwell.

A decision was made. A decision to return to Nar Shaddaa for the first time in years. Vera Grames, granddaughter of Rhia Grames, was coming home.

---

OOC: Start at 23 seconds into the audio.



IC: Vera Grames
II Avali, Druckenwell

Present Day

Vera Lynn Grames knelt before her husband's tomb and placed flowers at the base of the head stone. It was an annual tribute. It was an annual reminder of the pain she carried with her every day since he had been gone. How long had it been? Too long. Nearly two years. Already he was like a ghost to her. Dead to a part of her soul that never yearned to feel again.

She remembered the day she found out that he had been killed in action during the horrific siege of Mon Grappa. Her soul had been crushed by the news. The blow was particularly devastating as the surrender documents between the Coalition and the Federation had been signed on Nime earlier that very day. The armistice announcement had been delayed by a technical error and word did not get out to the front line soldiers until it was too late. By the time her husband was shot down the war had been officially over for hours.

"You said we would meet again some sunny day," Vera said as she stood on shaky legs, "but that was a lifetime ago. I need to leave you. I need to leave you behind. I hope you understand. I have to go back home. I have to go back to Nar Shaddaa. I don't know why I just have this feeling I'm needed."

She turned to leave and then paused to take one final look at her husband's grave.

"I loved you."

---

Six Boroughs Stadium, Nar Shaddaa

One by one the lights of Six Boroughs stadium flickered on illuminating the burgundy stands, the brilliant green of the field, the white painted lines, and the menacing logo of the Nar Shaddaa Smugglers laughing sinisterly at midfield.

Vera soaked in the sights of the empty stadium and felt in awe at the sheer size of the venue. It was bigger than Old Six Boroughs by quite a bit. The Smugglers she remembered were long gone. The team had changed so much since her childhood. That still didn't make her memories any less special. Her memories at Old Six Boroughs consisted of celebrating wins with her grandmother, Rhia Grames, and watching history unfold before her very eyes as Rhia successfully managed one squad after another until her death in 265.

Vera was 10 years old when her grandmother passed away. Old enough to know the grief of losing a beloved family member but young enough to not truly appreciate the remarkable impact her grandmother had on those around her. She remembered the funeral. The way countless players who had worn the burgundy and black had paid their tributes to a woman who had led the franchise to six championships, four as a player, one as a coach, and one as a general manager.

"Remarkable, isn't it?" Lilly asked.

"Impressive. You said Kaitlyn Vehn built this stadium?" Vera asked.

"She did and with her own money too," Lilly said, "she was an inspiration to us all. Nar Shaddaa lost someone great the day she was killed."

"I was saddened to hear of her passing," Vera said.

"I was there when it happened and it is something I'll never forget," Lilly replied.

"She and my grandmother loved Nar Shaddaa," Vera said.

"Yes they did," Lilly replied. "More than either of us will ever know."

Vera looked over at Lilly and wondered if the agreement they had come to was still appropriate, was still acceptable. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

"I've given six years of my life to running this franchise. It was always Kaitlyn's dream. Not mine. I woke up one day and realized I was living someone elses wishes and not taking care of my own needs. I put off going to school, I put off exploring the galaxy, all to run this squad," Lilly said, "but I wouldn't give back those six years one bit. It made me who I am today. We need to move forward. This franchise needs someone at the helm who has a vision. A vision I never had."

"You did pretty well for yourself here," Vera pointed out, "the team won a Cup with you at its head."

"The players won in 278 for Kaitlyn," Lilly replied, "not for me. As much as I would like to take credit for the win that was all them. We have a good head coach, a young, hungry, squad, and a reputation for taking no quarter. You will be stepping into something great and making it even better. I'm pretty sure this is the right thing to do, if, however, you're still on board."

"So we have a deal?" Vera asked extending her hand.

"We have a deal," Lilly replied as she gave a firm shake. "Vera Grames, you are now the proud owner of the Nar Shaddaa Smugglers. In some ways it seems fitting that the Grames family returns to an ownership role with the team. After all, your grandmother made us great. She made us legendary."

"She did a lot of things off the field as well," Vera said, "and some my fondest memories were the small things. The little things. Stories that others will never know. To me she wasn't Rhia Grames the general manager, the former head coach, the Hall of Fame player, the lady with six championship rings. She was my grandmother and I loved her dearly."

"Tell me one thing," Vera asked.

"Sure."

"Is it true that Kaitlyn Vehn is buried somewhere in this stadium?" Vera asked.

"You're standing on her grave," Lilly replied pointing down at the midfield logo.

"Unbelievable," Vera replied.

"Come," Lilly said, "there's something you need to see."

The pair made their way down the main tunnel heading into the bowels of the stadium. Just before the entrance onto the field was a tattered jersey sticking out from the wall. The number 13 and the faded letters of Grames on the back made it clear to whom it belonged. Vera brushed her fingertips across the jersey. Memories coming back. Stories her parents would tell her of Rhia's famous exploits on the field.

"This is the jersey that Rhia Grames wore on her last game as a player for the Nar Shaddaa Smugglers. She notched her final victory that day. The organization retired her number and when she passed she requested that her jersey be embedded into the walls of Six Boroughs. When the new stadium was built we moved her jersey here," Lilly explained.

"I had no idea," Vera replied, "I know she had her ashes spread across the field."

"Did anyone ever tell you how the Smugglers got their logo?"

"No," Vera replied with a shake of her head.

"Your grandmother," Lilly said, "she came up with the design."

"Are you serious?" Vera asked.

"Dead serious," Lilly replied. "Advertising, logos, naming rights, corporate sponsorships, agents, that all came around when Rhia first started to play the game. Greats like Tan Strensky, Dana Roslyn, they played the game because they loved the sport. Sure, the money helped, but teams out here in this side of the Rim weren't really required to have an official logo until sometime in the 200s. Some franchises developed one earlier as a badge of honor but Nar Shaddaa held out until Rhia won her first of three championships against Strensky and his Chandrila Patriots."

"So why the skull and cross blasters?" Vera asked.

"Nar Shaddaa is infamously known for its multitude of smugglers, bounty hunters, and gangs. Rhia didn't want to shy away from what Nar Shaddaa was and she knew that if she could channel that negative imagery into something positive she could have a real winner. So she did. She used the blasters to represent the seedy underbelly of this trash infested moon and the skull to remind other franchises that they are mortal when they come to Six Boroughs: essentially the skull is death staring them in the face. The logo was quickly adopted and became a symbol of the entire moon. I thought it was pretty brilliant myself."

"There's a lot about her I don't know," Vera admitted.

"Come on," Lilly said, "there's a lot more about your grandmother and the Smugglers I have to share with you."

"Lead the way," Vera replied.

"Oh, and before I forget," Lilly said, "Happy Birthday."

Tag: No One

 

IC: Dash Stonlon
Senators Stadium, Coruscant



Dash had watched a fast and furious game from the bench, the same spot he’d watched every game this season, with Roy Cardan at his side. Whatever the Pirates doled out, the Miners gave back. However the Miners punished the Pirates, the Pirates answered back. Points were scored quickly and often. This was going to be the sort of the game where the last team to score would win. This was the sort of game where you wanted the bolo-ball in your hands at the end of it so you could have a shot to win it.

It was the sort of game that Dash had built these Miners to play. Run and gun. Ground game power offense. It was what he’d thought they were going to have to do all year to have any hope of winning even a handful of games.

And now, here they were, in the Galactic Cup Final.

Dash had always believed that a good team coached itself; that they had bred into them how to play, what to do, how to react. A coach didn’t need to rove the sidelines barking at them to tell them how to do that. He only needed to help them get through the critical moment.

Dash didn’t have the Force--he’d been tested before he went to university to make sure he wouldn’t break any rules by playing--but he could see the future today. The critical moment was going to be the last minute of the game.

And so, with 1:05 left on the clock in the second half and the score at 37-35 in favor of the Pirates, the Miners had the ball in their hands. Dash stood up and walked to the sideline.

“Here we go! This is your moment!” he hollered at his team.

Other teams that relied in a fast strike aerial attempt would have time for a couple of scores in a minute. Not so with the Miners. Their ground game rumbled up field more slowly, but it was a wrecking ball as it did, gathering strength the deeper downfield it got.

Kandarar played it to Tralvar, who crossed to Walvar, who moved it up to Calman, who slanted across to drop for Salman, who hooked it to Shiboar who crisscrossed with Riboar, who dipped and ducked to Valen.

Then out of nowhere it was in Han Tunross’s hands and he was charging through. It was a full press worthy of the All-In attack they faced today. He flipped it to Eiri who passed to Jiri and then back to Eiri, twisting the Pirates defense around. Time was ticking down. Eiri went back to Jiri, thoroughly muddling things up--just as they intended. Jiri put the ball perfectly in Kragen Arnoy’s hands, the being who had led them through the fires of Mustafar and back.

He didn’t even hesitate. In one giant motion with a great yell of effort Arnoy fired.

And somehow, from the right, Mikia Sandin-Manx was there. And the game was over.

As time expired, Dash, who had told himself he would be the sportsman all season long, no matter what, finally felt his force field break. He closed his eyes and bent over, placing his hands on his knees as he accepted the fact that, once again, he and his team had fallen short.

“Come on, Dash-o,” Cardan said, placing a hand on his back. “Nothing to hang your head about.”

“We just came so close,” Dash said, holding his position.

“No, Dash-o. We came so far,” Cardan replied.

The head coach straightened up as his brain acknowledged that the assistant coach was right. They had. Had anyone ever done so much with a supposed bunch of losers? Wouldn’t he have laughed in the face of anyone who had told him at the start of the season that they’d be one score away from winning the Galactic Cup of Limmie?

“Force, I knew there was a reason I kept you around,” Dash said, somehow finding a way to smile. “We did all right, Roy.”

“Yeah, we did.”

The Miner players were pulling themselves together on the field. Kragen Arnoy, Eiri, and Jiri had done the bulk of the scoring today and they had paid the price for it. With their adrenaline gone, they looked almost dead. They’d given everything they had today but come up short. They couldn’t have faced as much if they’d faced five armies today and look at what they’d still done.

As Dash waited for the handshakes to begin, he thought about the fact that he would be the first Miners head coach since 237, in nearly half a century, to go through this handshake line and congratulate the other team on winning the Galactic Cup. He smiled as he thought about that. It would have killed Gaeri Valerii, even after winning three Galactic Cups, to have to be the one to break that streak. At least he could spare her that indignity today.

“Congratulations on winning the Cup,” he told Qazi Hameeduddin, a goalkeeper who probably didn’t mind the fact he’d given up 35 points today in what had to be his worst nightmare of how a Galactic Cup Final would go.

“Congratulations on winning the Cup,” he told Kala Rakshiss, the monster Kerestian defender.

Brick Wall Sterling.

Brian Ebeling.

Boutros Sabah.

Samia Dantas.

Bel Kruhn.

Sylvanus Shale.

“Congratulations on winning the Cup,” Dash told Ame’shapa’sabosen, his red eyes burning with the fire of glory.

Vahva Kaesse.

John Masters.

Lucy van Pelt.

“Congratulations,” he told Longjon Sylver, who would now make his mark on the most precious silver in the galaxy.

Gor Irukandji.

Tiv Harkara.

Wilhelm Gates.

Nara Hosok.

Opechan Canought.

“Congratulations,” he told Duchess Eldin winner Tian Huo. That Pantoran had a fire within her. “You were like out there a mad vornskr today.”

Car’rick Adelaide.

Bestide Mol’der

Gabriella Teaic.

Marcus Teach.

Seiji Tan.

“Congratulations on winning the Cup. Heck of a game,” Dash said to Else Reppen. It seemed redheads liked getting their name on the Cup. (Well, at least one other that Dash could think of had.)

“Congratulations on winning the Cup. What a rookie season,” he told Cutty Sark. “I think you’ll be back here again one day.”

“Congratulations on winning the Cup,” he told Mikia Sandin-Manx. “Couldn’t have been easy with Logan back on Carratos, but you and he both gave them something to believe in.”

“Congrats on winning the Cup. Now you do know they don’t all go like this, right?” he kidded Aeriel Taeping, the Ingbrand winner.

“Congratulations on winning the Cup, you brought them home,” he told Leigh Cavanagh, the powerhouse forward.

“Congratulations on winning the Cup,” he told former Miner Ponie Ternardiel. “Way to stick one to the Dragon, Ponie. He’ll be rolling on his bed of gold thinking about letting you walk away.” He gave her a smile and a slap on the back.

And then, the final handshake. Dash bent to shake the hand of Logan Manx-Sandin, the hero of the liberation of Carratos. Like most heroes, Dash was pretty sure Logan would never be the one to apply that label to himself.

“If you ever want a job, I think I can pull some strings, get you wearing Black and White on the sidelines,” Logan said as he took Dash’s hand.

“How’d you know I was looking for a job?” Dash said with a smile and a laugh as he pumped the hand of the newly minted head coach. “As it turns out, I'm suddenly unemployed.” Another laugh. “Really though, congratulations on a well-deserved Cup. But more than that, you took this team through the early years to get them here. Don’t think nobody knows that. This is as much your victory as it is theirs. If it had to be someone, I’m glad it was you.”

With that, the duties of sportsmanship were completed and Dash headed back to the locker room with Cardan. When they arrived it was deathly quiet. All the players had that thousand lightyear stare in their eyes. He could tell they were thinking of what could have been, what they should have done differently.

“No,” Dash demanded loudly, grabbing their attention. “No. You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to sit here and think, ‘If only.’ That’s what losers think. You are not losers.

“Today, you were the finest limmie team I’ve ever coached. A limmie team that did everything they could. No matter what you do for the rest of your lives, remember that you gave everything. Everything. Know that coaching you was the best thing I ever did in my life. I am so frakking proud of all of you. So proud.”

He saw the pall lift in the room and that cloudiness and distance in their eyes recede. As it should.

“Now, that being said...forgive me. I’ll be back. There’s something that I’ve always wanted to see,” Dash said.

He left the locker room and headed back out onto the field and to the Miners bench. Wearing the same blue coat of his mother’s he had all season, he took a seat on the bench where he’d been until the very end. The Commissioner had just finished congratulating the Pirates on their season and at midfield was handing over the Cup to Ponie Ternardiel. He sat on that bench and watched as every Pirate, starter and reserve, the coaches, and their general manager and owner lifted it over her head. Like the vast majority of Miner fans who were still in Senators Stadium, he wanted to see this moment. He wanted to see the joy of glory cross the faces of the Pirates as they hoisted their prize.

He didn’t sit there and watch because he wanted to beat himself up about the fact that it wasn’t him and how close it had been to the other way around. He sat there because this was quite possibly the most beautiful thing in the galaxy and he’d never expected to have an opportunity to watch it from the field.

Dash sat back, placed his arms to either side on top of the bench and took it all in.

---

Later on Dash gathered his things from the coaches office that had been placed at the disposal of the Miners. The team would be leaving soon now that the media interviews were over. There would be locker clean out at the Gardens after this, the formal end of the season. Dash knew he was dragging his feet in getting everything together. After all, once he left this office his tenure as head coach of the Bakura Miners was essentially over. That was a job you wanted to last as long as possible.

“Last time I felt like this I was 14.”

Dash turned. “Justice Eldred,” he said with surprise.

She waved a hand. “Please. Only lawyers during oral arguments call me that.” The Chairwoman of the Miners stepped into the office. “It was 237 the last time we lost a Galactic Cup Final. I cried and cried. It was so unfair. My sisters Kerry, Siona, and Fiona, were old enough to remember when we won in 226. I had been three years old then. I didn’t remember anything from back then. Still don’t. How they could have that memory but all I remembered was getting so close and losing...probably explains a lot of how we turned out the way we did. Anyways, while I was crying up in the box, my father gave me a hug and said, ‘We do not want beings who will lie down bravely to die, but beings who will fight valiantly to live.’ You fought valiantly to live, Mr. Stonlon.”

“Mr. Stonlon is my father,” Dash said.

“Fair enough, Dash,” Regan said with a smile. “As you can imagine, I had a reason for coming down to see you.”

“A firm thank you and a gold chrono?” Dash asked with a rough smile.

“Something of the sort.” She produced a flimsi envelope and handed it over. “Would you indulge me by looking at the date on the seal? I had the recorded of the Supreme Court endorse it for me.”

Dash turned the envelope over and examined it. “Och, I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s important about it.”

“It’s the day after you accepted the job as head coach of the Miners,” Regan explained.

With one raised eyebrow, Dash tore open the envelope and pulled out the flimsi inside. He read it silently as the Supreme Court Justice waited. Just before the end, his eyebrows shot up. Dash looked at Regan with a question in his eyes.

“When you took this job, Dash, you were signing on for a suicide mission,” Regan began. “This was probably going to be the last job you’d ever have given your coaching resume. A turn with a surefire loser in the ELL wasn’t going to inspire anyone to hire you. Whether you did it as a favor to Gaeriel or just so Bakura would have pro limmie this season or even if it was just because you wanted the paycheck, you still did it. That took character. You did not bravely lie down to die. You fought valiantly to live.

“That should be rewarded.

“Even before the Golden Bears went back to the Carnation Bowl--again--under their stud Joff I was beginning to resent the fact that it has been a very long time since Tiarest has been competitive in limmie. They did respectably, finishing fourth in the conference this year, but I’d like to see UBSD--and my sisters--put in their place. One of the benefits of being a Supreme Court Justice is that the Athletic Director at your alma mater takes your call.

“Now, after what you’ve accomplished here, I wouldn’t blame you for receiving offers from every other limmie team in the galaxy. We’ve already been getting requests from them to speak to you. You’re not just going to have GCLA and Premier League teams courting you. Jakku, Denon, Chandrila, and Stewjon would probably all fire their head coaches in a second for you. Maybe others.”

Dash didn’t mention he’d already gotten one. “Trying to head off the competition then?” Dash asked with a smirk.

“Hardly,” Regan replied. “Dash, you went to bat for us. You showed what kind of a being you were the day you accepted Gaeriel’s offer. You showed your loyalty.

“The Noble House of Trieste repays loyalty in kind.

“That offer stands for two months. You have my contact information there. Once you’ve had time to consider your options, let me know what you’d like to do.”

As Regan Eldred turned to go, Dash stopped her with one question. “You all aren’t the Burgundy for no reason. How’ll it go over if I wear the coat on the sidelines?”

Eldred turned to look over her shoulder. “We’re not used to seeing dark blue on our sidelines,” Eldred said, “but if you ever showed up without your mother’s coat, I think we’d have the peace officer’s union picketing at our stadium. Don’t you think we’ve had enough of that lately?” She smiled.

Dash just laughed.

---

And now it was really over. His footsteps echoing in the corridors of Senator Stadium told him that with grim finality. It was a lonely sound, and a lonely walk, but Dash had chosen this. He wanted these last few moments of the Final to himself. He wanted to tuck his hands into the pockets of his ma’s coat and drink in the solitude of being a head coach. Sure, beings across the galaxy would second guess you the next day--they were probably even doing it right now--and the general manager was always on your back to perform. The head coach was the easiest being on a team to fire, after all.

But only the head coach got to have the quiet moments after a game like this. It was their privilege, their recompense for a long season, for grueling nights in holo review, for the repetition of practice, for the heartbreak of the end of a season.

But then Dash saw he wasn’t alone. It stopped him dead in his tracks.

“As I live and breathe,” he whispered.

“When you’re a lifetime Miner and you call and ask for tickets, even for the Galactic Cup Final, turns out they can get them for you,” said the last person in the galaxy he expected to see.

Nanchecka Stormborn, with the telltale all white hair of an Echani, stood before him.



“Nan,” Dash said. “What are you doing here?”

“Had to see my old coach play in the Galactic Cup Final,” she said with a smile.

“Wish I could have pulled out a win for you.”

“You gave it everything you had. Everybody saw that. Everyone knows the Dash Stonlon I know now,” Nanchecka said.

“You’re too kind. Enough about me. What have you been up to since you left the game?” Dash asked.

“Just making a mess of things. I thought leaving the game would let me start a family, focus on home more,” Nanchecka said. “Instead, I found out my husband and I didn’t have anything holding us together.”

“Och, sorry to hear that Nan. These things happen. Don’t worry, you’ll meet the right being someday.”

“Everyone says that,” Nanchecka said, “but I don’t think they’re right.”

“Come on,” Dash said, “it’ll turn out in the end. And if I can say that after losing the biggest game in limmie, you know it’ll be true.”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just that I think I’ve already met the right being,” Nanchecka said.

“You have?” Dash echoed.

“Yeah. Maybe I could tell you about him if they’ve got an extra seat on the team shuttle? I think you’ll like him,” Nanchecka proposed.

“Well, there’s always an extra seat on the shuttle,” Dash said with a smile. “And if not, I’ll kick Gloever off. He takes up two seats anyways.”

Nanchecka laughed and took Dash’s hand. “Come on, let’s not waste any more time.”

What a season this was, was all Dash thought. What a season.

TAG: galactic-vagabond422 who deserves congratulations once again! (Hopefully I got all the player details right--apologies if I didn’t )

 

IC: Logan Manx-Sandin
Senator Stadium, Courscant

If you had told me 6 years ago that I would be sitting here on the sidelines of the Galactic Cup Final, I probably would have told you that you were a little crazy, for underestimating me. I thought that I'd be here much sooner, like in 279, but apparently that wasn't my time. Though I didn't think I'd be the coach of the team. I also wouldn't of expected to be seeing it all though one real eye. It took me a while to get use to my other eye and it still feels a little weird at times.

My heart is pounding as my team, going to take me a bit to get use to saying that, takes the field, for one last time. Mikia and I had fun taking in the sights and sounds of the fan week, the Senators certainly put their stamp on the event. To the casual observer you'd think it was the Senators playing, not the Miners and Pirates. The fun of that week has since faded away, replaced by a determination to win this. This is our first Galactic Cup Final and I intend to make it memorable. This game was already going down in history. I'm going to put the cherry on top.

I give a broad smile to the forwards, we've been practicing this all week, and most of the older players still remember it. I decided to run an old game plan, the one that thrust us into the spotlight.

I nod to Cutty, she's the one starting this whole thing off, I see it in her eyes, that fire, the fire I had before my legs betrayed me. Force how I wish it was me in her place. Me leading this charge, this team. Regret and pain wash over me as I give a look over to Stonlon, he was probably out of a job after this, what with the strike ended and all. He probably wanted one last hurrah before stepping down. He, just like me, waited his whole life to be here, at the finals of the most beautiful game.

The match starts and true to form Cutty takes first possession. The 'Flyer' screams down the middle, and I grit my teeth.

"Pass," I say to myself, "Pass," I repeat with even more conviction, "This doesn't work if you don't pass." I get ready to yell out the command when the white haired forward dumps back to Else, then brakes off at an angle. With possession Else crossed paths with Leigh before circling around and back through the mass of white jerseys.

"All-In, All-In, All-In." I hear the crowd chant, they were right, I brought it back, one show only. The Miners had a strong but slow defense, the All-In thrived of fast speed, but also trust and good passing. I watch as my team continues to cycle then witness as Tian breaks out faking a shot before making a side pass to Cutty who heads in the first goal of the game. The Scallywags explode into cheers, and 'Drunken Spacer' our theme song. On transition the forwards drop into the 'Iron Cage' I hope to use the control of the 'Cage' with the offensive punch of the 'All-In' to push us to victory.

Unfortunately something's off, is it nerves, or the change in attack because, the 'Iron Cage' turns out to be made of flimsiplast as the stout Bimms tear right through. I slam my fist onto the arm of my chair. No, we've come so far, we can't let it end here. The Miners come rolling down the right side, Mikia and Kala's side, the strong side. Mikia is all over Carlen not giving him room to breathe, much less play. The ball moves to the center Arnoy, the captain. Bel moves to block the path and take him down but, the tough forward shakes off the towering Muun and drives at the net.

I grit my teeth as the Miners tie up the game in the first few minutes. I can already tell that it is going to be one of those games, the kind that kill points against but, boost points scored, a free for all slug fest that is going to light up the scoreboard. I set my jaw, bring it on, we were built for this. We come roaring back and once again the 'All-in' works it's magic, leading to another goal , this one by Leigh, taking her loss to Arock for the Salbukk with grace. The Scallywags are on their feet and the black banner flies once again in the stands marking out the 'White Spot'.

The Miners answer with another drive down the middle over whelming Bestide and once again putting the ball into the hands of Arnoy. He moves around Bel and sets Eiri for another goal. It continues like this fast attacks from both sides each playing to their strengths, my Pirates using their speed to create confusion and the Miners using the power to break though. That isn't to say that defense in nonexistent. Mikia and Poine and keeping the upper left and right corners locked down.

And woe to any Miner caught in Poine's zone with possession, she is playing like a woman possessed, Mikia as well, giving their marks no room to move. The weak link seems to be Bestide, she just can't keep up. I look to Sylvanus and Vahava, part of me thinks to put one of them in, to try something different. But, it's still only the first half, I decide to give it some time. The scoreboard continues to rise. With us taking an ever so tenuous lead. My hands shook and my heart never left my throat as the seconds ticked by.

The half is called and I feel a little worried. That tenuous lead was gone replaced by a one goal deficit, how had the Miners managed to put two goals in before the half, I'm not sure. Was it me, I know I have no idea what to do with defenses, now they have the momentum coming out of the gate.

In the locker room I sit quietly off to the side, Mikia stands next to me. "You doing ok Hon?"

I look up giving a weak smile, "I'm fine, I'm not the one taking on the best team in the Solo Conference." I see her glace to Sylvanus who shakes his head.

"You're worried about something, is it the defense."

I give a quick glare at the Balosar, dirty, I'm sure Mikia put him up to it. "Fine, yeah you guys are getting shredded out there, I only feel like if I was just…" She silences me with a hand on my shoulder as she comes to eye level with me.

"Listen, you know as well as I do, they want this as bad as us, and they are playing like it." Her eyes are firm staring deep into me. "I'd say we'd be in even deeper trouble if our defense wasn't as good. Logan we held the best offense ever to 13 points in the last game, our defense is fine. We're going to make it thought this, we've come too far to stop now." This is the first time ever in my life that a player has given the coach a pep talk during halftime. It helps that she's my wife but, it still an interesting turn around.

I look around everyone is still wearing their armbands I even have one on. I look at the ground, I have time for one more speech, one more rallying cry in a year full of them. "Alright guys, listen up." Their heads snap up, "We've been through a lot, more than most, we've fought tooth and nail to get here. And now the eyes of the galaxy are on us. They are watching a team, that a little over five years ago they didn't even know existed. From a planet everyone had forgotten about. This year we were hurt, our home was taken from us, we were separated from those we loved, and cared about, we may even of lost some." My thoughts and all the others turn to Billi and her wife. We all know she should be here, she was the one that coached the team to this point.

There's an empty place just for her. "Now our home is free, now we begin healing, now our fans have something to look forward to, to cheer about. They are cheering for us, from O'Pahz, to Chofin, to Vi'tal they are watching, they are cheering us on. All of Carraots, our home is behind us, so let's bring the Cup home, For Carratos, For our home.

"For Carratos." The team roars back.

We take the field with a fire in our eyes, even mine, I can feel it. We are charged up for this. Cutty takes first possession and kicks off another cycle of the 'All-In'. Tian breaks away with Leigh and together they connect for another goal. The game is tied once again and the Scallywags thunder from the stands. The Miners put it back into play and it gets picked off by Else, she has nowhere to go so she puts a point over the bar giving us the slimmest of leads once again. That lead evaporates as the Miners again storm down the center, knocking Bestide to the ground in the rush. After they score the medical staff rushes out to help the Bothan who had yet to get up.

As they take her off the field I look to my two reserve half backs, Sylvanus the player that has been here since the start of it all and even before, and Vahava, the still young Sephi that reminds me so much of Crante. I give the nod to Sylvanus, he's gone years without playing more than a few minutes and all through it he hasn't complained, not once. Now it's his time to play once again. Surprised by my decision it takes him a moment to get up and rush to his place.

As Bestide is brought back, she apologizes,

"I'm sorry I let you down coach." She says eyes downcast.

"You didn't let me down, you played your best." I reassure her, she sits next to Boutros holding her side, cracked rib. She tells me it was bothering her before the game, but she didn't want to worry the team with it. I smile, I should hammer her for that but, I hid a debilitating disease, I have no place to talk about playing though an injury.

The center strengthens with the veteran Sylvanus there, I miss Rhodri some days, he was an amazing half back. I don't have time to reminisce as the Miners make another attack trying to pull ahead. And they do so, putting us behind by five. I chew on my lip a little, we need to turn this around, now. I look to Kala and point towards the offensive zone. He nods his head and plants his feet. Qazi take the hint and passes to the bulky defender.

With that Kala charges up the field breaking tackles left and right. Like a runaway freighter he barrels though the midfield and passes to Leigh, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. It won't work more than once so the offense needs to capitalize on this rush. And we do, Ariel scores putting the finishing touch on her hat trick. I see a little snarl from Cutty as the team celebrates. We're not out of the woods yet we still need to score again.

That goal never comes, and I begin to worry, have we run out of fuel. Has the 'All-In' lost its touch. Thankfully the defense tightens up but, we're still playing behind by two points and those two points hold until the final minutes. After many exchanges and goals back and forth, the Miners still hold the lead with little time left. I start to feel like it's all over now.

Then Sylvanus reads the incoming play perfectly and picks off the pass meant for Valen and throws it to Marky. The Teaic twins pass furiously between each other before knocking it into the offensive zone. The 'All-In' begins it's cycle and I look up there's enough time to make two goals we just need one and then hold off the Miners and we have it, we'll have won the cup. Leigh breaks away from the pack and slams it home, the crowd is electric with their chants, probably deafening those nearest to them.

As the Miners reset I see several nods pass between the half forwards, L.E.S has a plan, this should be good. Leigh and Else both cover the center leaving the right side open. I hold my tongue I have to see this plays out. The pass goes towards Calman and I see Leigh snap over leaping up and backwards to get a hand on the pass. My heart stops as she redirects it just enough for Else to get under it and punt it over the bar. I throw my fist into the air shouting a hearty Pirate 'ARRRRR' as I do. Now with a two point lead and some momentum maybe we can put this away.

With little time left the Miners know it is crunch time. The barrel their way through the offense like tissue paper, they're so fast that Sylvanus is caught out of position allowing Valen to get a pass off to Arnoy. It is the Arnoy and Bel once again, a match up that seemed to favor the Bimm. The full forward jukes leaving the lanky back planted in the ground it seems he has a clear path to the net, and the goal. The one goal that will take away everything this team worked so hard for.

A wordless shout sounds from the right side as Mikia beautiful even with a mask of grim determination on her face comes out of nowhere on the right side. Arnoy doesn't see her in time. She collides with him at with such force that the stout being is brought to the ground. The clock hit zero and we've done it.

If I still had my legs I would be jumping. The rest of the team rushes out onto the field as the Scallywags sing 'Drunken Spacer' with a fervor and at a volume I never thought possible. Tears fall from my eye. From behind me I feel furry arms wrap around me,

"We did it." I expected it to be Bestide, but, the voice, it's Zara, I turn my chair around to see her, Bulgar, and Crante all smiling all wearing Pirate's jerseys, with black armbands.

"You guys," My mouth is agape, after the liberation I didn't think I’d see any of them ever again.

"Close your mouth Glide." My eyes widen and my heart leaps into my throat as out of the shadows comes Howl. A silvery scar across his face. "You're gonna' catch flies that way." Without thinking I move my chair and embrace all of them in turn. They got me thought the darkest parts of the occupation. And to share this with them, it's like a dream. This all feels like a dream. Howl and the group move past me stopping some of my team from dousing me in Gundarkaid. Which is a good thing because I don't think my chair is water proof.

I smile and laugh, the first genuine laugh, I've had since the whole ordeal started. The team crashes around Mikia picking her up again just like at Aphran. Twice now she's save the team and kept this train going. There's no doubt in my mind who deserves the Numifolis award, she does, and it's not just because she's my wife.

The team brings her over to the sidelines and sets her down, she rushes over to me and wraps her arms around my neck. Our lips meet and I forget or no longer care that we're supposed to be coach and player right now. It doesn't matter, we've just won the Galactic Cup. I think we're a little entitled to some unprofessional behavior.

We come down from the initial high of winning and start the handshakes. Each player I pass I tell them they played one hell of a season, and it just as easily could have been them taking this trophy home. They didn't make it easy, and I won't say we deserved it given what we've been through. This Miners team overcame many obstacles to be here they deserve our, my respect.

As I reach Stonlon I pull his head down, and speak into his ear. "If you ever want a job, I think I can pull some strings, get you wearing Black and White on the sidelines." I'm dead serious in my tone. If Ryeli doesn't return I'm going to be running this ship all by myself, unless I get some help. I think Stonlon would make a fine addition, I'd want him to be head coach but I know the team would revolt if I step away now.

"How’d you know I was looking for a job?" Dash says with a smile and a laugh as he pumps my hand. "As it turns out, I'm suddenly unemployed." Another laugh. "Really though, congratulations on a well-deserved Cup. But more than that, you took this team through the early years to get them here. Don’t think nobody knows that. This is as much your victory as it is theirs. If it had to be someone, I’m glad it was you."

As I let go I nod, I think I'd be alright losing to him as well, we both fought to get here, harder than almost anyone else. That's an achievement in and of itself.

During the celebration shirts were handed out to the team, they were black with the Pirates logo on the front, and a banner under it with '284 Champions' written in it. Over the skull are two simple phrases.

'WE WILL PREVAIL'

'WE WILL REBUILD'

With that over it is time for the main event. All of us wearing the T-shirts over our other clothes.

The Commissioner, who has been oddly quiet this season as three teams having domestic troubles and one having a high profile, well-publicized player conduct scandal, came onto the field. "The Numifolis Award, named for one of Coruscant’s own greats, is awarded to the most valuable player of the Galactic Cup Playoffs. This year it goes to Mikia Sandin-Manx."

Mikia looks shocked and surprised by the announcement is frozen in place. Ponie slaps her on the back to get her going and she takes up the award, smiling. She looks up to the stands, at the 'White Spot' shouting,

"We will prevail." Holding the honor high she lets out a bellowing 'AAAARRRRRRR' that is shared across the entire team and the Scallywags

"Gentlebeings, please welcome the Galactic Cup of Limmie," the public address announcer proclaims.

The great silver chalice is brought onto the field under the care of two League representatives, each wearing gloves as they make their way at a stately pace to the center of the field where a table has been set up with the league crest on it. They carefully place the Cup in the exact center of the table and the Commissioner takes up position next to it.

"Now wasn’t that a Galactic Cup Final?" Lokensgaard says to cheers. "Coruscant put on a show for everyone all week long and these two teams certainly did here today. Let’s congratulate the Bakura Miners on what everyone can agree was a fantastic season, a season to be proud of."

The Miners fans remaining--and that is pretty much all of them--cheer at this. Their team might not be the one about to lift the Galactic Cup, but that didn’t mean they weren’t going to watch the celebration that follows, one of the most amazing sights in galactic pro sports.

"No less amazing was what the Carratos Pirates did here not just today, but all season long."

A boisterous Pirate cheer rings out over the field.

"Playing every single game off Carratos, on the road while friends and family were back home, with no word on what had happened to them is tough enough. But to win the Commissioner’s Trophy, nearly sweep the ELL season awards, and to win two playoff games that came down to the wire...that takes something special. It takes a team carefully put together by Schnitt Polenta general manager and owner. It takes a team coached to perfection by Billi Ryeli."

"So Ponie Ternardiel, come over here to receive the Galactic Cup!"

The pair pose for about five seconds with each of their hands on the Cup, a commemoration of the handover from Commissioner to captain, before Fenrir says with his mike off so only Ternardiel, the now two-time champion, can hear, "Enjoy."

Ponie takes her turn with the Cup then passes it to Mikia it goes down the team until it reaches me. My heart is pounding, I've waited for this day my entire life, and now it's here. The day I lift the cup. As I hold the chalice high I feel strong arms lift me out of my chair. I see Mikia on my right and Kala on my left. Both of them hold me upright. I don't care that I needed help, I wouldn't be here without them with out of my whole team, I'd be nothing. But, now, I'm standing on the pitch, holding the Galactic Cup aloft.

They set me back into my chair and I still have tears falling from my eye. Mikia kisses me again, I hold her close, vowing never to be far from her ever again. At the sidelines Zara and the 'Junker' Crew all swarm around me and I introduce them to Mikia. She thanks them for getting me though everything. I see a bit of pain in Zara's eyes as she thanks Mikia for her kind words.

I make my way into the locker room when I see a shape, it's a humanoid and when he walks into the light, my smile fades.

"Congrats Logan." He says.

"What are you doing here Kyril? Thought you left us behind, thought we weren't good enough for you."

A long sigh leaves his chest I look away, what right does he have to be here, it may be his new home but, this is our time, our day. "It was never about the team Logan. I knew they had great things in them, I knew you had great things ahead."

"Yeah you just weren't interested in sticking around to see, them. And where did that get you."

"Logan, please don't do this…"

"That's right, you got a wife and a team that got crushed by the Miners." I'm gloating, I know it, I know I shouldn't but, I am.

"Come on, that was in the offseason, can't you let…"

"Don't tell me to let it go. You left us right when we needed you most. We needed a sense of continuity."

"They had that in you, didn't you notice? The team didn't need me, they needed you."

"Don't try and pass off what you did as helping me find my potential. I went thought hell to get here. I lost an eye, I nearly died, I watched others die. That's what brought me here, not anything you did."

"This was never personal…"

"Do not start with that." I spit back, "It was always personal, being closer to you girlfriend and your daughter, it wasn't the money the Corellian Princess gave you, it was the fringe benefits."

"You would do the same in my shoes. If Mikia was separated from you, you would do whatever it took to be close to her."

"We're different, we'd make it work. I wouldn't leave my team high and dry without even talking with them first. I'd at least be honest with them." I feel my voice rising in anger.

"I'll admit," Kyril retorts keeping his voice calm, it’s infuriating when he does that. Keeps calm under the pressure that is put on him. "I didn't handle things with the team very well, and you're right, I should have told the team before leaving. But, you have to recognize that I left for good reasons, and that I hold no animosity towards you or the team."

I let out a few breaths, at least he admitted he messed up, and he has a point. If it was a choice between Mikia and this job, I'd choose Mikia. I may love limmie but, my love for her has eclipsed that, and I swore to hold her above everything else. Kyril extends his hand towards me.

"I know this doesn't make us friends but, can we at least be colleagues again?"

I let his hand hang there for a long moment, I'm sorely tempted to smack it away but, that would just be childish, it's time for me to change and forgive him. I take his hand and give it a shake.

"Colleagues then." I feel a weight lift from my heart and the anger fades as if a fire that had been slowly burning in my chest was put out. I feel better having put things right with him.

Mikia comes out as Kyril fades away. "What was that about?" she asks,

"Just burying a very rusty vibroblade."

"You ready to bring the Cup back home with us?"

"Absolutely,"

We return home Cup in hand and begin the long road to recovery, and rebuilding.

Meanwhile, on Denon, a little girl, around nine years old with shout cut brown hair. is jumping around her apartment. Her Cavanagh jersey still baggy on her swaying with her motions.

"She did it daddy." she says leaping into her fathers lap. She looks up smiling, he rubs the scar on the right side of her face. A terrifying reminder of what drove them to their current home.

"Yeah she did sweetheart. I always knew she would." The young girl continues to rush around the room beaming at her grandfather as he rubs the top of her head. She looks to her grandmother, wearing braces on every joint so she doesn't feel pain. The older woman smiles.

"I'm glad they won dear." She says seeing the little one hesitate, "They deserve it, after all they've been through."

The girl moves next to her sister, head in a book. "Ugh, come on sis, Leigh just won the Galactic Cup, now isn't the time to be reading."

"We still have school tomorrow." the sister replies.

"Pisssh," the girl says throwing her head to the side, "I'm not going to school tomorrow, I'm staying home at watching that game again." She has a quick thought, "You did record it right dad." she shouted over her shoulder.

"Of course, of course, but you're not skipping school to watch it."

"Aw come on dad, please." she drew out the word hoping it would soften her father's stance. She gives him the most pitiful face, and she sees him flicker, she knows he can't resist pouty eyes of this magnitude.

"Your father already said no." her mother interjects, she is unaffected by the girls looks. "You can watch it after your school work."

"But, but, they won." the girl's lip quivers.

"Yes and I'm very glad but, your school work is important too."

"You guys never let me have any fun." the girl crosses her arms and heads to her room the one she shares with her sister.

At that time the parents couldn't have know that this one day, this one event would lead to a much bigger fight, one that will rend this family apart, but that isn't for years now. Right now, it's just a little disagreement.



TAG: Trieste

OOC: Use of Kyril Lopaki was approved by Jedi Gunny

P.S. Thank you all for reading and liking my post of varying quality.

 

GM Post

HSN Headlines

• Free agents begin taking offers from ELL teams as 284 Draft nears
• Mando'ade Mercs announce passel of player transactions:
  • Long time Fullback Ike Tullo retires
  • Following players sign new contracts:
    • Cornerback Tuvaash Mauntak to a three year contract, financial terms were not disclosed
    • Half Forward La'Bron Jaing to a one year contract, financial terms were not disclosed
    • Full Forward Vera Langdon to a two year contract, financial terms were not disclosed. Langdon is the ELL's reigning Comeback Player of the Year award winner
    • Halfback Paul Rooker to a three year contract, financial terms were not disclosed
    • Halfback Ciegarth to a one year contract, financial terms were not disclosed. Ciegarth was rumored to be mulling retirement before resigning with the Mercs
    • Midfielder Viela Pahre to a one year contract, financial terms were not disclosed
    • Defensive Back Komodo Lecroix to a one year contract, financial terms were not disclosed
  • Following players released to free agency:
    • Sarah Connor, Goaltender
    • Gozer, Midfielder
    • Yeorg Niktel, Half Forward. It is believed that Niktel is looking for a starting position, something the Mercs were unable to promise during contract negotiations.
    • Terine O'Vaas, Corner Forward. It is believed that O'Vaas is looking for a starting position, something the Mercs were unable to promise during contract negotiations.
    • Full Forward Jonathan "Johnnie Limmie" Lieznam. The oft beleaguered, and currently indicted, Lieznam is now a free agent
• Bakura Miners announce that per agreement with ELL players union, all contracts of Miner players extended by one year due to 283 strike
  • Contracts of head coach Gaeriel Valerii and Cuth Hulu extended by one year by agreement with front office due to 283 strike
• Miners also announce player transactions
  • Jolla Pic (Midfielder) signed to three year contract. Pic will serve as Assistant Captain starting in 284
  • Lizbit Comstock (Goalkeeper) signed to three year contract. Rumors are that Comstock is now one of the best-paid Miners after their selection of Regan Stargazer, later traded to the Mercs, in the 283 Draft
    • Inside source: "Comstock was very upset about this and threatened to walk if not properly compensated for her talent"
  • Kettin Hervey (Left Half Back) signed to one year contract
  • Halar'ona'nuruodo (Chiss, Male, Left Half Forward) becomes a free agent
  • Gary Zonka (Human, Male, Full Forward) remains free agent after opting to not join the striking Miners in 283--Zonka remains unsigned by another team
  • Reserve Er'gaia (Verpine, Self-Identified Female, Corner/Full Back) released to be a free agent
  • Reserve Niall Bourdogny (Human [Bakuran], Male, Midfielder) released to be a free agent
  • Reserve Lando Lakes (Human, Male, Half Back) released to be a free agent
  • Reserve Seemee Plabol (Twi'lek, Female, Half Forward) released to be a free agent
• Miners prepare for what could be "their biggest draft ever" in the words of one HSN analyst with 5 picks, including first overall

TAG: Bardan_Jusik

 

IC
Bakura Miners offices, Salis D’aar, Bakura

Tamon Kutel had never expected to be back here.

Riding the turbolift up brought back a flood of memories. He remembered the very first time he’d come here as a 22 year old. It had been only days before that Dana Roslyn had sat down in his mom’s kitchen and told him, a VCU grad with no pro offers, that she wanted him in her backfield.

She and the Bakura Miners had changed his life. It would be four years later that he’d lift the Galactic Cup of Limmie on a roster with names like Graves, Landa, Waters, Andersen, Inviere, Stormborn, Wizmark, Rodders, and Glencross.

It was a twist of fate that he and the Miners would part ways after 274. Little did Tamon know that the Miners were about to log two more championships in the next three years as they overhauled their defense with the likes of Falene Trieste and Horst Penn. Instead of being in blue and gold, Tamon donned the green and yellow--and later silver and black--of the Agamar Packers.

But it wasn’t limmie that had brought Tamon Kutel back to Salis D’aar. Well, not playing it at least.

He still remembered the way through the halls. Apparently the Miners weren’t big on changing up the floor plan. Of course, when you won as many games as they had in the last decade, you probably didn’t think that change was the best idea.

Arriving at his destination, Tamon was confused to find an empty desk.

“Uh...hello?” he called out, looking around.

“Coming! Coming!” came a hurried voice from somewhere down a hall, shortly followed by the appearance of one of the legion of administrative assistants that inhabited offices throughout the galaxy. She was balancing a tray of caf with one hand and a datapad in the other. “Sorry, it’s just that Mr. Cundertol likes his caf precisely at--”

“Don’t apologize. I’m familiar with Quinn’s...peculiarities. We’ve met,” Tamon said.

“We have?” the assistant asked, looking up at the visitor for the first time instead of at the tray of caf. Her eyes went up and down his body. “Are you sure because I think I….Oh! You mean you and Mr. Cundertol! Right! Of course you have! You’re…” She flipped through the datapad with her thumb as she continued her balancing act. “Oh! You’re T.K.!”

“Actually, I prefer Tamon these days,” Kutel said.

“Right, of course, Tamon. I mean Mr. Kutel,” the assistant burbled. “I mean...you were a Miner defensemen from 268 through 274. Galactic Cup Champion on the 271 team. You broke 100 tackles that season.”

Tamon’s eyebrows shot up. “Wow, the only other being in the galaxy who knows that is my mom. You don’t have my trading holo lying around somewhere, do you?”

“No!” the assistant laugh-snorted, as if Tamon had made the funniest joke in the universe, “I mean...do lots of people have them?” She tried to casually scratch the back of her neck.

“Once again, I think it would be me, my Mom, and that Zeltron I dated in 273 who stole my speeder. The trading holo was in the glove box, so I don’t think that was what she was after,” Tamon said.

“Next time I go out on a boring date, remind me that at least nobody’s stealing my speeder,” the assistant said, before mumbling, “If I had a speeder to steal…”

“So, you have the advantage over me,” Tamon said.

“Hmmm?”

“You know my name and I don’t know yours.”

“Oh! Right! Duh. My name’s Kira,” the assistant said, putting down the datapad so she could shake his hand. She seemed not to notice she was still holding the tray of caf cups.

“Nice to meet you Kira,” Tamon said.

“Hi Kira,” came the voice of Assistant General Manager Saoirse Sloan as she rounded the corner on her way to her nearby office. Then she caught sight of Tamon and her voice dropped an octave. “And helllllllo there, tall, dark, and--”

She didn’t finish the sentence. That usually happened when a being walked into a wall. Kira put one hand to her mouth in horror and Tamon looked at the Hapan in disbelief as she recomposed herself. “Ms. Sloan are you all right?”

“Kira, have we always had a wall right there? I swear there wasn’t one there yesterday,” Saoirse commented casually as she patted the wall, as if she needed further reassurance that it was real. “It’s not like I walk into walls all the time. I am, after all, the Assistant GM of an ELL team. By the way, Saoirse Sloan. Charmed to meet you.” She extended a hand to Tamon.

“Ms. Sloan, maybe you should sit down for a second,” Kira suggested. “You went really hard into that wall. In fact I think there’s a dent in it…”

“Kara. Caf. Now,” blared the comm on the assistant’s desk menacingly.

“Allow me,” Tamon said, gently lifting the tray of cafs out of Kira’s hand before selecting one from it and setting the remainder on her desk. Caf in hand, he waltzed through the door that Kira was assigned to jealously guard.

“You know,” Kutel said as the door shut behind him, “I’m pretty sure the last place I saw myself when I left the Miners was coming back here to give you caf.”

Quinn Cundertol looked up and glared. “Mr. Kutel. Of course.”

Tamon crossed the office and placed the cup on the General Manager’s desk. “Don’t get all emotional on me, Quinn. I know it’s been ten years and all, but let’s keep it professional.”

Cundertol glared at him.

“Okay, fine. You know what, let’s do this right. Let’s hug this out,” Tamon said, spreading his arms wide and motioning with his hands for Cundertol. “Get in here.”

The Eriaduan remained seated.

“Another time, another time. That’s cool,” Tamon said. “So, we going to continue the small talk? Because if so I should probably ask how often non-players get concussions around here because these days I am just not up for that.”

“Concussions?” Cundertol asked, his voice dropping.

“Yeah--someone just walked into a wall out there. Your Assistant GM I think?” Tamon said, pointing a thumb over his shoulder to illustrate.

Quinn put his head in his hands. “We lose one Galactic Cup Final and this whole place goes to pieces...” he growled.

“Life was always interesting when I was around, Quinn! You’ve got to give me that.”

“Well interesting isn’t the reason you’re back, is it?” Cundertol said, looking up. “You’re here to take holos. Why we had a meeting to discuss this is beyond me…especially with the Draft coming up…”

“Now, I know that’s what your fellow general managers would say,” Tamon replied, “but I know you’re a forward thinker, Quinn. You understand the power of media. How do you build a fanbase? You connect with them. You give them something to hold onto. You give them access. You make them feel like they’re part of the team. Especially after a heartwarming season like the Miners just had. They’re going to need to get reacquainted with the regular roster after those Bimm stole their hearts.”

“And here I thought you kept fans by winning,” Cundertol deadpanned.

“Memories fade, Quinn, but holos last forever.”

“Why don’t you scurry off to the marketing department where they like slogans like that?”

“Think I will,” Tamon said, “but you know I couldn’t come back here without saying hello to you, my man.”

Cundertol shooed Kutel out of his office with one hand. Back in the reception area, Kira was at her desk and seemingly settled after her less-than-organized entrance. “Done already?”

“Some things never change,” Tamon told the assistant, “and one of them is that Quinn Cundertol doesn’t like long conversations.”

“There was much less shouting involved than I expected,” Kira mumbled.

“Hmmm?” Tamon inquired.

“I just said what is it you do around here?”

Tamon squinted, looking to the right. “Is that free ice cream?”

“Ice cream?” Kira exclaimed with excitement, her head whipping around.

Tamon pulled a pro grade holocamera out of his messenger bag. He effortlessly swung it up to his face, focused in less than second, and got off a snapshot. Kira noticed a moment after he’d captured the holo.

“This is what I do,” Tamon said with a smile.

“Oh no. I wasn’t ready. I just got in and it was windy today and I probably spilled caf on myself,” Kira fretted.

Tamon sauntered over and turned the camera around so she could see the image.



“Wow! I actually look nice in that! How’d you do that?” Kira exclaimed.

“It’s a gift. See you around, Kira,” Tamon said, taking his leave.

It was so good to be back.

---

Character Sheet
Name: Tamon “T.K.” Kutel
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Birth Year: 248 ABY
Physical appearance:

Homeworld: Nar Shaddaa
Relation to Team: Former player, current photographer
Brief Biography: When Dana Roslyn signed the loudmouthed VCU defender to an entry level contract in 268, she changed his life. Tamon Kutel was just another Nar Shaddaa kid who would have gone nowhere fast if it hadn’t been for Valor Foundation-sponsored sports and a scholarship to VCU. The ELL was his ticket out, even if he never forgot where he came from.

Playing with the Miners from 268-274, Kutel had a first row seat to the rise of Alana Glencross that culminated in their 271 Galactic Cup of Limmie championship. In 274, T.K. left the Miners by mutual agreement and took his talents to the Agamar Packers where he stayed until 279, eventually serving in a reserve role at the end of his tenure.

Kutel was back home on Nar Shaddaa when the quarantine on Agamar was put in place and his limmie future in question. After bouncing around the Premier League on one year contracts and trades, Kutel hung up his cleats at the end of 282.

He returned to Nar Shaddaa, a neighborhood hero, spending time with his family and pondering about what he wanted to do with the rest of his life--especially because he hadn’t held on to a lot of the credits he’d earned in his playing days. During his soul searching, he discovered photography. He’s now out to capture the great moments of ELL limmie from the Miners’ sideline--whatever they may be.

TAG: None

 

GM Post

HSN Headlines

• Coruscant Senators fined undisclosed amount by League for intentional defamation of fellow League member Chandrila Patriots.
• Violation reportedly over Patriots flag being displayed lower on flagpole than other team flags at Galactic Cup Final. Flag was also reportedly backwards.
• Senator owner Kala Alaree will "pay whatever amount the fine is for", adding that "she is not afraid of fines for such actions"
• Reports say League is beginning to schedule friendly games for 284, including ELL vs. ELL games

TAG: Jedi Gunny

 

IC: Vera Grames
II Avali, Druckenwell
279 ABY



"Therefore it is with a heavy heart that I have been requested by the Senate to approve legislation that will lead to a declaration of war against Roon, against our former friends, against our very family. Their unprovoked attack on one of our transports in interplanetary territory made clear their intentions to destroy our way of life and to punish us for leaving the RTO. Let it be written into the historical record that Druckenwell did not ask for this war. We did not seek war. War was thrust upon us. War was made to seem inevitable.

"We did everything we could to promote peace and prosperity with the Roon Federation. Now, sadly, I must ask our brave men and women to join the armed forces and fight back against tyranny, oppression, and corruption. Effective at noon today there will be a state of war that exists between Roon and Druckenwell. I do not know what the future holds. I do not know what terrible price we might pay for sending our youth into battle. We shall resist Roon at all costs. We shall never yield to their demands. What I do know is that we shall emerge victorious."

Vera heard the thunderous applause erupt from the Senate chamber over the Holonet and shut off the transmission. She couldn't listen anymore. She couldn't bear to think that good friends of hers were at this very moment enlisting to fight Roon. She heard cheering down in the street below. People were celebrating. People were ecstatic. At last they would have a chance to finally determine which planet would reign supreme in the new era that was to come. There were no hesitations in their celebrations. Only a youthful ignorance of the horrors of war.

She remembered hearing stories of the war on Lannik. The war on Leritor. The sharp, fierce, bitterly brutal conflicts that had come to define the fledgling Roon Trade Organization in the days of Liam Vehn and then Queen Camilla Quorro of Naboo. Her father had served with the Fifth Druckenwell. He had been such a wonderful man when he'd left for the war. When he came back he was a different man, a hardened man, a haunted man. He would tell his only daughter what it was like on the front. Not because he wanted to share those horrible stories but because he wanted to prevent that terrible loss of innocence that only the battlefield could claim.

"I'm back," Mike Grames announced as he closed the front door.

"In here," Vera replied still in shock over the announcement.

Vera put a hand over her mouth. Her husband was in full dress uniform. He had enlisted. He had done the very thing he had sworn not to do. He had been swept up in this madness as well. Damn him. Damn his stubborness. His need to serve.

"You okay?" Mike asked.

"What did you do?" Vera asked.

"I did what you asked me to do," Mike replied, "don't be mad-"

"Don't be mad? I asked you not to enlist. I was worried war was coming and now its here. Damn you, Mike! Couldn't you have talked to me first? Couldn't you have waited? Why did you have to go and do this?" Vera challenged.

"Vera, listen," Mike said, "you asked me to do something worthwhile with my life. You asked me to get a job. I've been laid off for months, honey. You've had to do all the heavy lifting. You and your graphic design job. I can't just sit by and watch you earn the money. I feel I have to contribute. I felt this was my only way."

"To kill yourself?" Vera asked as she wiped tears from her face, "Great solution. What a frakking great solution."

"You're worried about me," Mike said softening his voice, "I can't blame you. I'm going to be fine. Everything is going to be just fine."

He reached out to hold her. She shied away. She was so angry at him. So angry. She couldn't believe he had gone behind her back. Hadn't they been a team? Hadn't they always tackled life's decisions together? What had gone wrong between them? Was it something she'd said, something she'd done that had driven them down this path? Was there any going back?

"Vera, please," Mike pleaded, "I love you. I always have. I'm doing this for us."

Vera, distraught, stumbled over to Mike and embraced him. "I love you too. I'm so scared. This war will change everything. I thought we could flee to the Republic. I thought we could get away from all this. Perhaps we still can."

"You know they locked down the borders.The draft was coming," Mike replied, "and I wanted to enlist before I got stuck someplace really bad. I joined the air corps. Should be safer. Better meals, better equipment, not always on the front line. I know nothing I can say is going to make this better but I'm trying, okay? I really am."

"How long do we have?" Vera asked as the anger subsided. She could never stay angry at him for very long."How long until you leave?"

"48 hours," Mike replied. "They're sending me outside the city for training. Beyond that I don't know."

"Then let's make the most of it," Vera said as she gently guided her husband to the bedroom.

---

New Vertica, Nar Shaddaa
Present Day

"Miss Grames?"

"Miss Grames?" the voice repeated.

"Hmm?" Vera asked as she stood in the same office that her grandmother and Kaitlyn Vehn had once occupied.

"The coaching staff is here to see you, remember? You had a 10 o'clock?" her secretary reminded her.

"Right, send them in," Vera said as she turned to look at Mylessa McCloud, Autumn Graves, and Shay Dionne, the head scout.

"Ladies, please, take a seat," Vera said as she sat down at the desk that had served as the hub of administrative power of the franchise since its inception over 128 years ago.

"Let me begin this meeting by saying that all of you are going to be retained. I believe in keeping talent and I have developed a good eye for it in my former life on Druckenwell. I am also going to dispell any rumors about my handling general manager duties by saying that I will not. I am not Kaitlyn Vehn. I am certainly not my grandmother, Rhia. What I am is a shrewd businesswoman with a vision to make this franchise successful. I look at our roster today and I see a solid group that experienced a setback after making the Final the year before. Any questions?"

"No ma'am," the three women replied.

"General manager candidates," Vera said as she reached for a stack on her desk.

"Addison Karr," Mylessa prompted.

"You've got to be joking," Vera replied, "Addison Karr is unattainable."

"She's the only one I can work with. She's the only one I can work for," McCloud said.

"She has an eye for talent," Shay Dionne added.

"She's made the program on Druckenwell competitive and loyally recruited players that have traditionally gone on to play in the big leagues," defensive coordinator Autumn Graves reminded her new boss.

"Is this who you want?" Vera asked.

"Absolutely," Mylessa replied.

---

II Avali, Druckenwell
Present Day

Addison Karr had arrived.




"Thank you for seeing me on such short notice," Vera said as she rose to shake Addison's hand.

"A pleasure to see you again," Addison replied, "I still get compliments on that graphic design campaign you did on the Marksmen a few years ago. The quality, the passion, was incredible. Your art is truly beautiful. Do you still do that kind of work?"

"I haven't done any art in a few years. I haven't had the time. I haven't really made the time," Vera admitted, "I guess I lost my inspiration for art during the war."

Addison sat back in her chair and nodded her head. "We were all affected by that terrible conflict. So many people died. So many friends. So many family members. I heard about your husband. I'm so sorry. He was a hero and an inspiration to us all."

"Thank you," Vera replied, "not a day goes by where I don't think of him. Being back in the capital for the first time in months is hard. I had to leave this place behind. I swore I'd never return."

"Why have you come back?" Addison asked.

"I came back for one reason, Addison. To hire you," Vera said.

"Hire me? For what?"

"You're looking at the new owner of the Nar Shaddaa Smugglers. I need an experienced eye at the helm. You've headed up the Marksmen for years. You have an eye for talent. One of the sharpest in the league. Maybe even as good as Quinn Cundertol himself," Vera said. "I want you on my team."

"That explains why you disappeared off of the social media networks," Addison replied, "and now you've gone to follow in your grandmother's footsteps?"

"Something like that," Vera replied.

"Terms?"

"Four years and I believe this amount of money ought to be attractive," Vera said pushing a datapad toward Addison.

"That is a very generous offer," Addison replied as she examined the figures.

"I pay what people are worth. You know that," Vera said.

"What makes you so sure I'm the missing piece in this equation?" Addison asked.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Nothing about your recod says that you're a champion. But I feel you have the potential to be one. My coaching staff likes you. I like you. We've worked together. We work well together. This is your opportunity to get out of the minors and make something of yourself. This is your opportunity to shine," Vera said.

"And if I decline?" Addison asked.

"If you decline I will see to it that you never get another job at the Elite League level again," Vera said. "The Nar Shaddaa Smugglers are one of the oldest teams in the league. They are highly respected. They are financially viable. They are poised to do great things. I don't need you as badly as you think I do, Addison. I came here because you're my friend. You walk away from this and I think you will regret it for the rest of your life."

"Five years, "Addison said, "five years and a promise that we will recruit as locally as possible."

"Go-local hasn't worked in years," Vera reminded her friend. "It's only brought this franchise modest success in the last few."

"It worked with your grandmother. It worked in spurts with others who have held your position. I've got kids I'm developing that can make your head spin. Nar Shaddaa isn't about big schools. We're not into Super Sixteen or Bak10 or anything else out there. We're into farming talent at a local level. I'm telling you the return down the line is going to be good. We may not hit a goal with every pick but if you give me a chance, on my terms, I won't disappoint you."

"We only have two picks in this upcoming draft," Vera said.

"I only need one," Addison replied holding up a finger. "One pick. One chance."

"You think our roster is that close to competing?" Vera asked.

"I think the team really held themselves back last year. I think the mystique of the Smugglers was shattered against the durracrete of Six Boroughs stadium when they lost in the Final, at home, to Ralltiir. I think the players looked lost," Addison said.

"Five years?" Vera asked.

"Five years. If we don't win a championship in that span then you can let me go," Addison replied.

"Welcome to the burgundy and black, Addison Karr," Vera said.

Tag: No One

 

GM Post

HSN Headlines

• Hapes Consortium Buccaneers to play Carratos Pirate in Marauder Melee for 284 preseason game on Carratos to make up for missed game in 283
• Rydonni Prime Monarchs schedule traditional slate of preseason friendlies on the road with Loronar Colonials, Balmorra Blasters, and Byblos Red Wings
• Miners announce they will play Naboo Ducks at The Pond at Theed in first preseason games in seasons
  • Head coach Valerii: “They haven’t been on the field with another limmie team in over a year. We’ve got to get the team back in the flow of being hit for real before we start the ELL season.”
• Bak 10 commissioner Kerry Trieste on Bak10 champion not being selected for 283 college playoffs: “If the winner of every bowl game is going to be selected for the college playoffs, then let’s just call this the Round of 16 like we used to. The Bak10 and Super 16 had negotiated the Carnation Bowl as a Round of 8 game because we’ve got the guts to schedule ourselves against a power conference. We’re now penalized for that. Who’s Tavolva State? I’ve never even heard of them. Do they even play D1 limmie? All I know is Kashyyyk played them and they waltzed into the playoff.”
• When asked if Trieste would consider pulling out of historic matchup in Carnation Bowl, Commissioner said, “That’s for the athletic directors, not me, to decide.”

Friendly Schedule
May 28: Rydonni Prime Monarchs at Loronar Colonials
June 1: Rydonni Prime Monarchs at Balmorra Blasters
June 4: Hapes Consortium Buccaneers at Carratos Pirates
Rydonni Prime Monarchs at Byblos Red Wings
Bakura Miners at Naboo Ducks
TAG: CPL_Macja galactic-vagabond422 jcgoble3

 

GM Post

HSN Headlines

• Pirates vow to have a Stadium ready by the game against the Hapes Consortium Buccaneers
• Statement from Schnitt Polenta, owner and GM of the Pirates, during a press conference after the announcement: "No expense will be spared, no corner will be cut, and no public money will be spent. The new stadium will be ready for the Buccaneers on game day"
• Potential names for the new stadium range from Occupation Memorial to Pirates' Stadium to Taeping Shipping Arena
• There are also reports of a Holo-net petition to name the new stadium Logan Manx Colosseum, in honor of the Pirate's former team Captain
• When asked about the petition Manx-Sandin he this to say: "HAHAHAHAHAHA, seriously, is there going to be a statue of me or something, looking all heroic. No, I appreciate the gesture but, I said it before, and I seems I'll have to say it again. I did not liberate Carratos, it was everyone else, I think the new name should reflect that"
• Billi Ryeli resigns as the Carratos Pirates' Head Coach, their fourth in four years
• Logan Manx-Sandin has accepted the promotion to Head Coach from Offensive Coordinator
• "Finally" an unnamed source inside the Pirates Organization said upon hearing the news, "About time he took the helm"
• Unnamed sources have told HSN that Dash Stonlon, reigning 283 Langann winner, has interviewed with the Pirates for an assistant coach position

TAG: galactic-vagabond422 jcgoble3

 

IC: Tendra Nalo
Location: General Manager’s office, Royal Limmie Grounds, Ta'a Chume'Dan, Hapes
Time: Two months before Draft

“Come on in and sit down.”

Tendra obeyed only the first half of Leota Avoy’s instruction, preferring to lean against the wall.

“Fine, be that way.” Leota sighed. “You know what you’re here for. Your contract has expired and I don’t want to lose you to free agency. A Salbukk winner is tough to replace.”

“You know it’s the Galactic Cup I’m after. What’s to say I wouldn’t have a better chance at it elsewhere?”

“And you know we’re capable of contending. We were in the Final two years ago. Surely you remember that?”

“Of course, but we didn’t even make the playoffs this year.” Tendra stepped away from the wall and placed her hands on Leota’s desk for emphasis. “I daresay this team is headed in the wrong direction.”

“Look, you know we had a few injuries this year. Including you. But we’re participating in the Draft again, so we’ll be able to add some depth to handle those next season.”

“On the contrary, you’re losing depth by getting rid of the Firedrakes.”

“...who rarely produced anyone useful anyway. Gallinore was really nothing but dead weight. And before you argue against that, by eliminating the Firedrakes, that frees up a significant amount of money in the budget, which means we can afford to sign more players and pay the stars of the team quite a bit more.”

Tendra stepped back and, after a moment’s thought, sat down. “Okay, I’m listening.”

Leota fished a sheet of flimsi out of a folder and slid it across the desk. “Five years, five million per year.”

“Five years is too much. I want three max.”

“I’d like to see you commit for the long term. I can’t build a team to win the Cup if I’m at risk of losing my stars every two to three years.”

Tendra was already shaking her head. “Three years max. And six million per year. That’s my price to not test free agency.”

Leota closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them. “I’ll meet you in the middle. Four years, five point five.”

“Three years, five point five.”

“You’re dead set on three years, aren’t you?”

“Yes, and if you don’t come down to that, I’m going to free agency.”

Leota leaned back in her chair for a few moments, then abruptly leaned forward, having made a decision. “Fine. Three and five point five. Deal?” She extended her hand.

Tendra looked at the offered hand for a moment, then took it and shook. “Deal.”

Leota amended the contract, and Tendra signed it, then they shook hands again.

“I’m glad you’re staying, Tendra,” Leota said. “I couldn’t afford to lose another top player on the Bucs.”

Tendra stopped and stared. “What are you talking about?”

“I thought you knew. Wai Lin and Sharsy Wenips retired this morning.”

“What?! You just said we can contend! How the kriff can we do that without two of our best players?!”

“Tendra, listen for a moment. You and I both know that Wai was in the tail end of her career. She hasn’t been nearly as good as she was several years ago. And Sharsy may still be in her prime, but she was never consistently good. She could perform, yes, but we’ve lost a few games on her misplays as well. You, Tendra, are the future of the Buccaneers. And their leaving opens the door for me to build a team around you.”

Tendra could see where Leota was coming from. “So does this make me captain, since Wai is gone?”

“That’s a matter that will be decided in training camp. But until then, as assistant captain, yes, you are the captain by default in Wai’s absence should anything come up. Speaking of which, I have a press conference in five minutes to discuss their retirements. You’re welcome to join me as captain to discuss that as well as your own contract.”

“Sure.”

TAG: Nobody

 

GM Post

HSN Headlines

• Ralltiir Starkillers sign free agents Gary Zonka (Human, Male, Full Forward) formerly of the Bakura Miners and Chestnut Reeser (Selonian, Female, Half Back) formerly of the Coruscant Senators
  • Zonka is a Helmsman winner and a Galactic Cup champion in 277
• Hapes Consortium Buccaneers general manager Leota Avoy announces that Tendra Nalo has been re-signed to a new three-year contract with undisclosed salary
• Tendra: "I got what I wanted out of the negotiations, so I'm happy"
• Rumor mill suggests that Tendra's salary new salary is a "significant increase" over her rookie contract, which was 2.7 million per year
• Leota also announces the retirements of Wai Lin and Sharsy Wenips
• Wai was in the tail end of her career, while Sharsy was still in her prime
• Leota: "Our draft selections this year will mark the start of a new era for the Buccaneers as we now seek to build a championship team around Tendra"
• Two hours after C-Bucs press conference, Sharsy Wenips posts rant on social media accusing the Elite League of failing to ensure player safety with regard to head injuries
• Sharsy's rant includes additional accusations that the League has withheld information connecting concussions to severe health problems and increased suicide risk later in life
• Sharsy implies that two private doctors advised her to quit limmie due to the "several" concussions she has suffered over the years, including two at the college level, saying that there was too great of a risk that one more concussion could leave her disabled for life; rant alleges that the C-Bucs team doctor claimed there was "no cause for concern"
• Sharsy calls for Elite League to adopt rules similar to those tried by the collegiate Bak10 Conference several years ago in an effort to take player's heads completely out of the game; rant also calls for helmets to be made mandatory
• ELL PR rep responds to Wenips saying: "We are always looking for ways to make the gamer safer. We're considering a lot of ideas. But as to the League withholding safety information like that? That's unthinkable"
• General Manager Addison Karr at her first media conference: "I wanted to thank Smugglers owner Vera Grames for bringing me on board. Head Coach Mylessa McCloud for believing in me. I'm excited to start a new chapter of my life with the Nar Shaddaa Smugglers. An organization that has come to define what it means to play in Elite League Limmie. I've toured the stadium, I've met our players, and I'm feeling confident that the roster we put on the field for 284 is going to be very competitive. Only the best players will be starters. There are no guarantees except my guarantee to our fans: We Will Win."
• Questions regarding draft strategy: "I'm not going to get into the particulars right now but we've fielded calls with other teams about potentially moving up, moving down, staying put, perhaps even trading a few of our current players. Everything is on the table. I'm confident in our head scout, Shay Dionne, to help us land that piece that will take us back to Galactic Cup Final. Her scouting staff has put in countless hours of research, they've attended the ELL combine, the Senior Bowl, the various individual drills. We're excited to start the draft and come out swinging"
• Questions regarding contracts that are due for renewal: "Again, we have a plan in place," Addison said, "and that may be moving some contracts along that aren't helping us. Nothing has been ruled out at this point. Nothing. We're going to review some more tape, make a few more calls, and when we head into the war room for the draft we will be prepared"

TAG: jcgoble3 Runjedirun Vehn

 

GM Post

​

Elite League Limmie 284: Who Will Go All The Way?​

Fenrir Lokensgaard stood in the wings of Colonial Hall in Salis D’aar, Bakura and looked out from a sharp angle at the teams collected for this year’s entry draft. Had Quinn Cundertol known he was going to pry loose the first overall draft pick from Rydonni Prime when the Miners had submitted their bid to host the 284 Draft? Probably, knowing that crafty Eriaduan. Always plotting that one was.

Of course, the real coup might be the one pulled off by the Badger. Rydonni Prime now held four consecutive draft picks at the end of the first round and the top pick of the second. That was nothing to sneeze at. A first overall draft pick was a risky proposition. Get that wrong and you could tank your team for a decade. But three picks in the first round? That was the way to get the core personnel to be a contender.

Speaking of other teams that were in good position, the Ralltiir Starkillers weren’t even two years away from back-to-back championships and they were going to get the third overall pick. Talk about a fast rebuild--if you could even call a bump in the road for a rebuild. The Vigos had put the League on notice that they were willing to spend the credits to keep contending. Anyone who thought that the Starkillers were going to just fade away without a fight was going to have another thing coming.

The team that had lost the to the Starkillers the last time they hoisted the Cup was going to draft ahead of them this year. The Smugglers were under new ownership...well, new old ownership. The Grames family was taking the helm again and the last one to lead the Smugglers had taken no prisoners. A second overall draft pick was going to be a dangerous thing in their hands.

The Hapes Consortium Buccaneers were sitting at fourth and what way Leota Avoy went this year was going to be interesting. The Bucs had been a bubble team and found themselves on the wrong end of things. They had their leader in Tendra Nalo and the decks had been cleared of the last generation. Even before Avoy had said it, Lokengsaard thought that in this draft they would be looking for the supporting cast to take them to the next level.

Speaking of the next level, the Coruscant Senators had banished some long standing demons (not to mention the actual Demons) under the direction of their new owner, Kala Fani Alaree. They were coming off their best season in a decade. Like the Buccaneers, they were just a few pieces away from taking off and the only place they could go was straight to the Final.

The Mando’ade Mercs wouldn’t draft until the fourteenth pick, but when they did they were going to add to an offense that had shattered records. It had been when they hadn’t scored that they encountered trouble. If Lokensgaard knew Adenn Vizsla (and he knew Adenn Vizsla probably wanted to light him on fire with a flamethrower, so he was pretty sure he knew Adenn Vizsla) defense was going to be where he went when he got that pick.

The Carratos Pirates weren’t drafting this year, but when you won the Commissioner’s Trophy, four season awards, and the Galactic Cup, what did you really need to change? Lokensgaard knew the answer to that. You had to change something because if you didn’t, you risked complacency. Everyone was going to be after the Pirates in earnest now. Nothing was so hard as defending the Galactic Cup of Limmie.

That defense began now.

Fenrir came onto the stage. “Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Elite League Limmie 284 Draft! It’s going to be an exciting day! Now, first we have a 45 minute presentation on the history of limmie--”

“Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!”

“What? It’s a very good presentation. I made slides and everything.”

“We want the Draft! We want the Draft!”

“Don’t let the First Order hear you. You’ll all get drafted to be Stormtroopers and be given serial numbers for names,” Fenrir said.

“We want the Draft!”

“How about we wait for a little bit?” Fenrir suggested.



“We want the Draft!”

“Well, all right then. If you insist. And luckily for all of you, the Bakura Miners are on the clock,” Fenrir said.

---

IC: Tamon Kutel

Tamon was on the draft floor, his press pass hanging around his neck. Around him were Elite League Limmie general managers, scouts, assistant GMs, owners, and even some coaches and players. In the seats stretching back behind the draft tables were fans, including a lot of Miner fans who had come for what stood to be a huge moment in Miners history.

And Tamon was going to capture it.

“Who do you think they’re going to take?” Kira asked, popping up at Tamon’s side. “They have to be thinking of someone. They’ve got three holes in the roster already. They’ve got Wizmark’s from her retirement after 282. Zonka walked during the 283 strike. And then Ronan went after the strike.” She lowered her voice. “I might have listened in on the contract negotiations by accident.”

“And by accident do you mean Cundertol and Ronan were shouting at each other through the walls?” Tamon asked wryly.

“...maybe…” Kira allowed.

“Well, neither of them was the sort to cool off if they got their dander up,” Tamon said.

“But aren’t you excited?” Kira exclaimed, nearly bouncing up and down. “The Miners’ first ever number one overall draft pick! This is the biggest moment ever for them! I mean…” Kira suddenly took her intensity down and scratched the back of her neck. “...the biggest moment since they drafted you, of course.”

Tamon laughed. “They didn’t even have the Draft when I came out of VCU,” Tamon said. He paused. “Wow. I feel old now.”

“So how’d you sign with the Miners?”

“Dana Roslyn walked into my mom’s kitchen with a contract.”

“No,” Kira said, looking at Tamon over the top of her glasses.

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yup.”

“You’re making that up.”

“100% true.”

“Dana Roslyn stood in your mom’s kitchen and offered you an ELL contract?” Kira repeated. “That’s amazing.”

“That’s how it used to happen. GMs scoured the galaxy looking for the best talent they could. Still do, but now you have the Draft. It’s all orderly and civilized. But back then it was like the expansion age. First GM to find talent and convince them to sign got them. Dana Roslyn was a legend. She pretty much kidnapped Dorf Landa out of the Imperial Remnant,” Tamon said. “I don’t think she’s been able to show her face in the Hapes Consortium for the last 20 years after she recruited Adanna Inviere out of the Hapes Juniors. She was probably so good at it because that’s how she got discovered. She was a kid on Agamar when the Miners found her. A nobody. I don’t know if a player like her would even make the League now, not when so much talent comes through the Draft. Alana Glencross was one of the most gifted players who ever wore the same jersey as me and she was a second tier college talent at best.”

“I guess you never know what people have got inside them unless you take the time to look,” Kira said.

“So then what are you hiding, Kira?” Tamon joked.

The executive assistant’s eyes bulged behind her glasses. “Me? Hiding something? What? Nice one!” Kira laughed. She punched Tamon in the arm to show how hilarious she thought that was.

Tamon flinched under the contact. “Wow, you do Teräs Käsi in your spare time?”

“No. I’m boring. I don’t do anything interesting. Other than get yelled at by Quinn. A lot. Which is why I’m here,” Kira explained.

As if on cue, “KARA!” bellowed through the draft hall.

“That’d be me,” Kira explained, hustling off to answer the call.

Tamon shrugged, but readied his camera. He suspected that the urgent need for the assistant was not due to a sudden desire for caf. It almost certainly had to do with their pick. Tamon knew that you didn’t trade up for the first overall pick without knowing exactly who you wanted to pick. As someone who had played as a Miner, he knew what their bread and butter was. And that meant he knew who the Miners were going to pick.

Kutel got into position to capture the big moment with his camera.

Quinn Cundertol strode up the draft hall to the stage. Unlike at most other draft venues, he was not mercilessly booed by the crowd. Instead, the large contingent of Miner fans cheered him...while the other fanbases tried to drown them out.

“With the first overall pick in the 284 Elite League Limmie Draft,” Cundertol said with not even a moment of hesitation or dramatic pause, “the Bakura Miners select, from the University of Bakura, Salis D’aar, full forward, Gared Joff!”

Tamon snapped away at the picture perfect moment. Here was the hometown kid who’d grown up just outside of the capital and been going to Golden Bear games his entire life. He’d started at UBSD as a true freshman and hadn’t missed a single game in his three years, which culminated in taking the Bears all the way to the Carnation Bowl. He was the top-rated full forward in the Draft and he wasn’t going anywhere.

Goff came out to receive his jersey with the number 1 on it from Cundertol. The pair posed for a moment before Cundertol allowed the young being to have the stage all to himself. He had earned that right as any first round draft pick had. It was this moment that T.K. captured. It would be immediately uploaded onto the Bakura Miners Holonet and soon graced the giant vidscreens on the outside of Bakura Gardens.



“The Nar Shaddaa Smugglers are now on the clock.”

The miners had their blue and golden boy.

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

 

IC: Vera Grames
Colonial Hall
Salis D'aar, Bakura
Draft Day

"We're live," Addison Karr stated matter of factly as the Draft commenced.

"Miners pick is coming in," Mylessa announced as she leaned forward in her seat.

"Eyes on the mark," Addison reminded her coaching staff. "Steady, ladies."

Vera kept her mouth shut. That was her mark. She didn't want to interfere. She was the money in the room. She was the woman who kept the entire operation afloat. She was the one that the entire franchise looked to for direction. That was on her now. What a role it was.

“With the first overall pick in the 284 Elite League Limmie Draft,” Cundertol said with not even a moment of hesitation or dramatic pause, “the Bakura Miners select, from the University of Bakura, Salis D’aar, full forward, Gared Joff!”

"There he goes," Mylessa remarked, "the golden boy of Bakura."

"Isn't that the Golden Bears?" Addison teased.

"He was unattainable anyway," Shay Dionne added. "We had him crossed off our scouting radars months ago."

"Our turn," Addison said as she queued the display at the end of the room.

Vera watched as the holographic board sprang to life. Names, images, highlight reels, statistics, it was all so fast, and there was a lot ot take in. Which one of the young talents on the board was going to wear the burgundy and black? Which one of the young talents up there was going to be the next Nar Shaddaa Smuggler to lift the holiest of trophies?

"Let's focus on offense," Addison said guiding the meeting, "go."

"Freya Stormhelm, DTU," Mylessa said giving a nodd to Addison and her homeworld, "lots of potential, did well in the combine, has the ability to really put an offense into high gear. Tends to get overwhelmed when there's a lot going on and plays more read and react rather than forcing the other team to take a page from her book."

"Nice analysis," Addison complimented, "and I would say exactly the same thing. There's one problem as well: we aren't drafting someone to ride the bench. That unit you coach has the potential to be one of the best in the league. I don't know what happened last season but the offense has to come together and fire hard. Put up those points. We draft her, and she'd be a good pick, she's going to be carrying a clipboard."

"If we don't we could be hurting for years," Mylessa said.


"That may be a chance we have to take," Vera said.

"Defense," Addison said, "go."

"We're expecting contracts to expire for several defenders. Anna Konder, Ben Dayharvest but I just haven't seen the flash from them I'd like. At this point in their careers they should be performing better," Autumn Graves said. "Additionally, I want to point out that we have a young unit back there. If we go younger it could lead to trouble."

"That unit really underperformed last year," Addison said, " Dayharvest and Konder looked like they were struggling back there at times. Outclassed. Especially in conference games. Do you have a pick in mind if we go defense?"

"Ric Grimes," Autumn said, "without question. Fast on his breaks, cuts off passing lanes, hits hard, smart, and is a local boy. That will put rears in seats. He has far more upside."

Vera nodded in approval. She hadn't assembled the talent in this room to watch them fail. It was interesting for her to watch the different personalities at work. She could tell the coaching staff and their general manager were still coming together, still feeling each other out, curious to know where one person would break and another would pick up the slack. All that would take time. All that would take patience on her part.

"I'm good with that pick," Mylessa said.

"Shay?"

"Yeah, I agree with Autumn. He's got potential to be a great," Shay Dionne added.

"Vera?" Addison asked.

"I want our defense to be remembered again," Vera said, "feared. Pull the trigger."

"Okay, here we go," Addison said.

---

Vera Grames strode out onto the stage and was met with a standing ovation from the Smuggler fans in attendance. Their politeness nearly caught her off guard. She waved and smiled. Clearly her family name still meant something.


"With the second pick in the 284 draft, the Nar Shaddaa Smugglers select, "Ric Grimes, Half Back, VCU!" Vera said.





Vera stood off to the side while the Smuggler fans went crazy. A local talent, second pick of the draft, showcasing his new jersey to the fans and posing for the holocameras. Vera clapped as she watched the spectacle. What an exhilarating experience. She reflected back to the conversation she'd had with Addison on Druckenwell. The words of her general manager echoing in her mind. Always reminding her. Always teasing her.

I only need one," Addison replied holding up a finger. "One pick. One chance."

Vera guided Ric backstage and whispered in his ear, "You've got one chance, kid. Make the most of it."

"The Ralltiir Starkillers are now on the clock!"

Tag: Runjedirun;Trieste

 

Name: Bartholomew “Bat” Vigo
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Physical Appearance: 6’ 10”, dark skinned
Home World: Ralltiir
Relation to Team: Player/Partial Owner



Bartholomew Vigo is the 4th of 6 children born to Martin and Madelyne Vigo. Bat has been known as Martin’s son, Lucie’s little brother, Richard’s little brother, Spencer’s older brother, Ty Allin’s brother-in-law, mostly he’s known as the trouble maker. Some may even call him the black sheep of the family.

Bat has been making strides to change all of that. He has led the Ralltiir Starkillers in points scored for three consecutive seasons. Two of those seasons the Starkillers won a Galactic Cup. The greatness of Bat’s regular season and even his play-off runs had been overshadowed by a commanding defensive win in the ’82 Final.

He’s balancing an ELL career, being a husband, father of four and his powerful craving for adventure on what could only be compared to a high wire in a circus tent. At any moment he could take a bad step. All eyes are on Bartholomew this season. Will he go for it all? Will he possibly fall?

---

IC: Bat Vigo

Three Weeks Ago

I squat down between my wife’s legs. I could see the crowning of the head. “Push!” I called excitedly. “One more time Georgia, one more push and she’s gonna be here.”

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH”

My wife’s screams come just short of bursting my eardrums. It’s not enough to distract me during this very important moment. I reach out and catch the tiny slimy, squirmy human. My hands are steady as I hold my daughter still while the doctor carefully cuts and ties the umbilical cord.

“Welcome, Athena.” I say quietly.


Present Time (Draft Day)

Furiously I race up and down the aisles of the supermarket grabbing the items that Georgia put on the list for me. My son Prince is sitting cheerfully in the cart eating a box of cookies I opened to keep him content. I’ll pay for them on the way out. My mind is racing with the prospects my Mom could chose to enhance our team tonight.

I’d taken a low end contract to help ease the payroll. Only 1.5 million guaranteed per season for 3 seasons. If word ever gets out I’ll be the laughingstock of the league. There’s incentives though if we get a home field play-off game my salary automatically doubles. Bonuses for points scored, something that comes to me naturally. I grab a bag of the Kamino rainforest caf, then I grab 3 more we have a baby at home and sleep doesn’t come easy.

Just as I’m about to head to the front of the store to pay my data pad vibrates in my pocket. I assume it’s Georgia remembering something else I should buy so I pick up. “Hello Stranger.” A female voice on the other end says, but it’s not my wife.

“I told you not to call me anymore,” it’s Michone. She’s one of the Starkiller dancers. A beautiful blue Twi’lek woman who kept me company on the road last season.

“I just wanted to make sure you weren’t lonely. I know your wife just gave birth, that she’s out of commission right now.”

“My wife needs me more than ever right now,” I say furiously. Don’t women ever understand that when a relationship is over, it’s over. “Do not call me again.”

Discretely I slip the data pad back in my pocket and look at my little guy covered in crumbs, munching happily on the cookies. I’m so fortunate he didn’t understand that conversation.

We make it home without further incident. I had this vision of cuddling with Georgia and maybe Athena on the sofa to watch the draft. For some reason all four of the children are awake and running around the house. When the Miners pick Gared Joff I’m settling a dispute between my two older daughters over what color dress a baby doll should be wearing.

I’m powering up a droid to clean spilled cereal off the floor when the Smugglers take Ric Grimes. Determined not to miss who the Starkillers will take I sternly tell all three older children to sit o on the sofa. “Anyone who moves loses dessert privileges for a week,” I warn.

“That’s stupid,” Serene, my oldest challenges.

Georgia gives me a pleading look. She doesn’t want me to punish Serene. The holo distracts me as I see my mom taking the stage on Bakura. She’s stunning and confident as ever. “With the third pick of the 284 draft the Ralltiir Starkillers welcome Selex, Corner Back from Tiarest University.”

I smile with content. Serene is lucky my mom stuck to the plan we agreed on before she left for Bakura. She begins to undress the doll and Tyffanie screams in protest.

Tag: jcgoble3

 

GM Post

HSN Headlines

• Coruscant Senators bulk up roster with free agent signings:
  • Klay Mettews (Human, Male, Half Back) signs 4-year contract.
  • Ed Munster (Shistavanen, Male, Half Back) signs 4-year contract
  • Kelly Vurgess (Hapan, Female, Defensive Back) signs 6-year contract
  • Conar Kraft (Hapan, Male, Half Back) signs 1-year contract
  • Sarah Connor (Human, Female, Goalkeeper, Mando'ade Mercs) signed to LFL contract. Connor was 279 first-round pick of Senators but was traded in 280
  • Drista Konnenwirth (Bakuran, Female, Half Back, Rydonni Prime Monarchs) signed to LFL contract with invite to training camp
  • Vail Pin (Shistavanen, Female, Corner Forward, Coruscant Senators) re-signs with team on 2-year contract after testing free agent waters
  • Halar'ona'nuruodo (Chiss, Male, Left Half Forward, Bakura Miners) signed to 3-year deal
  • Dalton Ward (Human, Male, Corner Back, Rydonni Prime Monarchs) signed to LFL contract with invite to training camp.
  • Slin "Slinky" Sly'ka (Bothan, Male, Corner Back, Kothlis National University) signed to LFL contract
• Contract talks with Christine Gamble and Jayla Leed broken off as players express interest in finding out free agent value before returning to bargaining table

TAG: Jedi Gunny

 

GM Post

HSN Headlines

• Smugglers and Starkillers to face each other in rematch of 282 Galactic Cup Final, to be held at Financial Square Arena

Friendly Schedule

• May 28: Rydonni Prime Monarchs at Loronar Colonials
• June 1: Rydonni Prime Monarchs at Balmorra Blasters
• June 5: Hapes Consortium Buccaneers at Carratos Pirates
• June 5: Rydonni Prime Monarchs at Byblos Red Wings
• June 5: Bakura Miners at Naboo Ducks
• June 5: Nar Shaddaa Smugglers at Ralltiir Starkillers

TAG: Runjedirun Vehn

 

IC: Tendra Nalo
Location: Colonial Hall, Salis D’aar, Bakura
Time: Draft night

As soon as Madelyn Vigo announced the name "Selex", everyone in the C-Bucs war room had agreed on the pick, and the card was being filled out before Mrs. Vigo even finished stating Selex's university. After a moment's wait, out of respect to Selex who was still getting her photo ops, Tendra, as the new captain, was given the honor of announcing the obvious pick. She took the stage with a C-Bucs #1 jersey in hand.

"With the fourth pick in the 284 Elite League Limmie Draft, the Hapes Consortium Buccaneers select... Rhose Ersa, Midfielder, University of Shili!"

Rhose came out on stage to the cheers of the crowd and posed for the photos. With the departure of Sharsy Wenips two months earlier, the Helmsman winner was the natural choice to fill Sharsy's hole at midfield.

Tendra shook hands with the Twi'lek. "Welcome to the Elite League, Rhose. This is a lot tougher than college. You ready for it?"

"Ready as I'll ever be, Captain."

Tendra grinned. Rhose looked like she would fit in perfectly.

"The Coruscant Senators are now on the clock."

TAG: Jedi Gunny

 

New Character! GM Approved! (And here you thought it would be my Draft post )

Name: Liann Torey
Gender: Female
Species: Human
Birth Year: 244
Homeworld: Dantooine
Relation to Team: Promotions Director/Assistant Marketing Director

Description:

Background: Liann was born in a rural tract of Dantooine, and grew up wanting to run her own business. She was very adept at understanding the concepts of supply and demand, and did very well in the economic and political science fields in school. In college, she earned a double major in economics and business administration, and graduated with honors as well as being a four-year cheerleader and squad captain her junior and senior years. While in college, she met her future husband, a star on the school's netball team.

After college, the couple determined that Dantooine was not a good place for them to start their careers. They moved to several different worlds, each time seeing them decide that things would be greener elsewhere. During this time, the couple had their first child, a daughter named Callan. Finally, they settled down on Coruscant in the early 270s, where Liann was able to find a management job that suited her skill set. A son named LJ came along in 276, the year before Liann left her current job for a role with the Coruscant Senators marketing department.

It took seven years for her to work her way up the ladder to be named the Promotions Director, a job which she held for the first time in the 283 season. With a year under her belt, she hopes to make the Senator brand an even-bigger success on and off the field through the use of promotions and smart marketing strategies.

Liann is a shrewd businesswoman. She understands how to finalize deals at a much quicker pace than most, and can be very persuasive to get her way when something seems to be coming unhinged. Her subordinates are certain that she will get the job done, although she is a hard nose for quality. When not working, she is actively engaged in her religious organization or watching sports.

---

“The manufacturer is on the line. Line 2.”

“Great, just what I needed,” Liann said as she rolled her eyes. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another thing. That was the way this business went. She picked up the unit. “This is Liann.” Several seconds of silence followed. “Look, we agreed to have 20,000 units shipped out by then, and you’re telling me that you can only ship out 5,000. We have as contract that you signed, and we will pay you upon receiving the 20,000 units as you promised. That’s the agreement.”

Another period of silence followed as she listened to the other speaker, but it wasn’t like she wanted to. No, this wasn’t one of her better conversations. But it was the kind of thing you dealt with in this line of work. “You don’t seem to understand the definition of ‘contract’, do you?” she asked. “I’m not interested in your excuses. Either you ship us those 20,000 units, or we can forgo paying your company due to a breach of contract. We won’t be subject to blackmail like this. Either shape up or we will find someone else who can give us those 20,000 units. Maybe a company who can undercut your price by 10%. Good day.” She slammed the unit back down into its console.

“Another good day, hunh?” Reha Torris asked. Torris was Liann’s assistant, and was usually around her boss when she was in a bad mood from dealing with a client.

“Absolutely spectacular,” Liann said, rolling her eyes. “We ask them for 20,000 units, and they have the nerve to tell me that they can only ship 5,000 because of ‘mechanical issues’. I’m not a fool.”

“Of course you aren’t, Ms. Torey,” Reha said. “I got the file you requested from the marketing department.”

“Good,” Liann said, taking a sigh of relief at this news. Her assistant handed her the folder, and she began to rifle through it. “It’s unbelievable that some companies have the nerve not to follow instructions. This is not a zero-sum game.”

“Of course not,” Reha said.

“Did Mertha have anything to say to you when you asked for this?” Liann asked as she indicated the folder in her hands.

“She always does, you know that,” Reha commented. “Always wondering what you need this folder for.”

“Sometimes it just doesn’t pay to keep promotions things in the marketing office.” Liann finally found what she needed and closed the folder. “I think it would be best if I could keep my job titles separate from each other. You know, an assistant marketing director does not need to be involved in the things that I do. They market, and I’m here to run promotions. Sometimes it works out, other times we butt heads. And I don’t need Mertha on my back about the manufacturer who apparently can’t spell ‘contract’ or understand what it means. I’ve seen enough bantha poodoo in this business to know when someone is flat-out lying. I would tell them ‘don’t you dare lie to me’, but I guess I don’t have the bounds to do that. Whatever Mertha says goes around this office, even though I’m not completely her underling.”

“You’re doing fine,” Reha said. “I mean, look at the Final. You handled that like a pro.”

“Thank you for the kind words,” Liann commented. “The Final was indeed a pain, but to be having to hunt down 20,000 units for a youth camp giveaway . . . that’s not exactly where I thought the problems would come from in this line of work.”

“If it makes you feel any better, the Draft is coming up next week,” Reha said. “And the flood of promotional items that need to come from the organization need to be approved by your hand before we can start on that line.”

“Great, another thing I need to get to,” Liann said, rolling her eyes. “Sometimes I wonder if I could ever do this job without you, Reha. I really don’t know where I would be without you. I can’t deal with clients effectively enough to remember all the other projects that I need to work on.”

“Can I get that statement included verbatim in a letter of reference?” Reha asked optimistically.

“If you keep this up, you can have my job once Mertha runs me out of town,” Liann said as she walked to her office. Reha had to pick up her pace to keep up with the boss.

“I don’t think that gives me a good feeling about this,” Reha commented.

“It’s not comfortable, it’s work. I think you should understand that by now.”

“Sometimes I’m a slow learner.”

The two women finally got across the office to Liann’s office door. “Where are the things I need to sign?” the Promotions Director asked.

“Right there, Ms. Torey. On your desk as requested,” Reha said.

“Thank you. I need to get some work done. Some serious work.”

“Understood, Ms. Torey. Is there anything I can get for you?”


“Unless you can spit out 15,000 units as requested by the manufacturing contract, I think I’m fine as is for the moment,” Liann replied. She then closed her door and sat down at her desk. But she did not get started on the work right away. Instead, she spent several minutes staring at the ceiling. It was always interesting to see what kinds of shapes you could make out on the ceiling, and how they sometimes shifted in appearance as you stared at them longer. That singular bump in the corner started out looking just like a bump, but now it looked more like half a happy face. LJ would probably insist that she was wrong, but maybe he was a little more ‘glass half-full’ than she was at the moment. Sometimes the jobs just didn’t pay for all the trouble you had to go through to do them.

TAG: No One, though if anyone is interested in my draft picks, they still have time to make an offer.