Star Wars Star Wars: Between War and Peace

OOC: A combo with Sinrebirth – thank you so much!!

IC: Aryan Graul, Ransolm Casterfo, and Leia Organa
Private Room, Nouane

Before Aryan could ponder his recent encounter with Natasi Daala—or consult with Casterfo about the latest developments, the Senator grabbed his arm and promptly pulled him into a private alcove. It was a small service area with the artificial lighting fixtures set to the lowest level due to inactivity. However, as soon as the two diplomats staggered inside, the motion sensors triggered the brightness to come up to full illumination.

Aryan uttered a curse and instinctively turned away, blinking against the sudden radiance. He disapproved of Casterfo’s brusque treatment, particularly when they were supposedly working toward the same goal—but he wasn’t surprised by the man’s actions. Aryan was essentially a prisoner, ensnared by a system that forced him to make restitution for a perceived crime that occurred more than forty years ago. There had been no trial; no investigation. Just the promise of blackmail should he fail to comply with their wishes. He was at the mercy of the Resistance.

It certainly didn’t help that he suspected Ransolm of intentionally antagonizing him. But before he could confront the Senator about his behavior, Aryan noted the small hologram that materialized into existence.

Leia Organa.

Undoubtedly, the General wanted to check up on their progress.

"I presume you've heard?" she asked, arms folded obstinately.

A slight frown creased Aryan’s features as his blue eyes shifted between Casterfo and the miniature holo. When it became apparent that she wasn’t following standard protocol, which would dictate Casterfo deliver the report, he smoothed his suit jacket and stepped forward.

"You mean the news of the Supreme Leader’s departure?" Aryan replied after clearing his throat. "That he is on the move and evidently has no desire to negotiate in good faith?"

He cast a sideways glance at Casterfo and crossed his arms over his chest. "I can’t say I’m surprised."

Leia regarded Aryan for a moment. "Alright, you've got a vibro-axe to grind."

She folded her arms, stared at Aryan. Ransolm lightly chuckled, and stepped back, looking forward to the smackdown.

"Get it over and done with, and I can deal with it."

An incredulous scoff issued from Aryan’s lips as he glanced first at Leia and then back to Casterfo. He never expected the General to call him out on his behavior, and it was clear through his expression that he blamed Ransolm for tipping her off. The man hadn’t stopped taunting him since they set out on this mission. Surely, it was his fault.

Nevertheless, he knew he couldn’t use childish petulance as an excuse. He hadn’t exactly been subtle when it came to conveying what he truly thought about the situation. And in this instance, General Organa deserved the truth.

"Alright," Aryan sighed as he spread his hands to indicate both Leia and Casterfo. "This is a farce. The First Order has no intention of negotiating a legitimate peace treaty. All they wanted was an excuse to assemble the various governing bodies of the galaxy in one place to annihilate them."

Pivoting on his heel, he pointed directly at the General. "And you knew it. You purposely selected me and Senator Casterfo to serve as your representatives for that reason. From your perspective, we are expendable. If something should happen, there’s no skin off your back. Why sacrifice your own people when you can play it safe and throw a pair of ex-Imperials into the gundark’s nest instead? I’m beginning to doubt whether you truly intend to honor our arrangement; to grant me a pardon. You’re hoping I will merely perish in whatever conflict results from this."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "This is all a diversion so that you can get close to your son," he rumbled after a short pause, his tone more matter-of-fact than accusatory. "Look, I get it, I have children and grandchildren of my own; you need to do what’s necessary to protect their welfare… but I don’t appreciate being the pawn in your scheme."

Leia was stony.

Ransolm genuinely feared for Aryan’s life.

Leia had faced down a plethora of foes. Tarkin, Vader, Jabba, C’Boath, the reborn Emperor, Tsavong Lah, Daala, Mandalorians, Sith, Yuuzhan Vong, and everything in between.

Aryan Graul did not compare to any of them. Leia cleared her throat. "Commander Dameron, could you update me on the mission?"

"General, I’m not sure keeping a channel open like this is a good idea, we’re already risking a lot with this static dumping jamming trick Rose put together -" He muttered to himself. "Not that I think they’re worth it!"

"Do let Mr. Graul know what you’re doing, please," Leia said, archly.

"Oh, he can hear me?" Poe wasn’t even abashed. "Look, Senators, I’ve five of the best pilots in the Resistance freewheeling it towards Nouane and I hate every second of it. I’d rather be lightspeed skipping, and nobody ever survives that."

"Thank you, Commander." Leia closed the loop and looked at Aryan more softly. "I don’t consider anyone a pawn. Right now I’m risking you," she said, slowly. "Right now this channel is a risk to where the entire Resistance is hiding. Right now I’m risking my best pilots on your extraction. Right now I’ve the decision whether to save you or restart a galactic war and have the fate of billions on my hands."

Her gaze sharpened "I wanted to save you that decision. To keep it all for me." Ransolm sighed at Leia, at her self-sacrifice, atoning for Alderaan, Hosnian Prime, and everything in between. "Aryan, do you want me to extract you now, or do you want to pursue the chance that we can turn this into a trap for Kylo Ren? That we can get the galaxy to agree to a peace even he cannot stop. Is your life worth that chance?"

Her voice became brittle. "Do you want to be responsible for the galaxy today?"

Aryan’s expression remained reticent as he stood with arms crossed, his eyes shifting between Ransolm and Organa. He wasn’t about to discount the General’s sacrifice; he knew a thing or two about suffering, and he would never undermine the pain she had endured over the years. Nevertheless, he couldn’t help but view this as some sort of publicity stunt to generate sympathy. The dramatic interlude involving Dameron was proof enough of that. The man was a reckless thug.

Even so, he began to wonder if he was being purposely obtuse by allowing his personal prejudices to cloud his judgment. Was there something more to the General’s plan?

He wasn’t sure.

"With all due respect, General, it’s a minuscule chance," Aryan replied after a prolonged pause. "As I already mentioned, peace was never the goal of this summit, and I suspect everyone in attendance knows that. At this moment, they are all scrambling to retreat from the system before the Supreme Leader can launch his offensive. They’re panicking. How do you expect to negotiate a truce under those conditions? Fear is a powerful tool—and unfortunately, your son knows that."

A rueful smile touched his lips. It was the first display of genuine emotion since Leia confronted him about his behavior. "You weren’t in the room with them, General. I don’t think it’s possible to gain their cooperation—at least, not for the sort of strategy you’re proposing. This applies to everyone. It’ll be far too late before we get them on the same page."

Leia stared at him. Ransolm held his breath. "Do you wish to be extracted, Senator?"

Aryan stared back, his lips pressed firmly together into a thin line. The General had called his bluff. She had seen through his ruse and recognized that he was trying to stall, make excuses—or both. It was a lack of initiative and perhaps she aimed to expose him for that. Either way, he knew he couldn’t concede now. It would be improper to do so; they would view him as a coward.

"No," he breathed quietly, inclining his chin to reaffirm his words. "I have… a proposal on the table, and I would very much like to see the outcome of that."

He exhaled softly, his posture relaxing with the gesture.

"Maybe it could be used as an incentive to facilitate your plan."

Leia nodded. "Good. I knew I could count on you." She smiled, broadly. "I wish you all the luck with your plan, Aryan. You're the brilliant wise Senator."

"While I'm the young and pithy waif? I was nearly First Senator of the entire New Republic," Ransolm scoffed.

"You also voted for the death penalty to be reinstated on your homeworld and then a few weeks later were sentenced to death by said law," Leia reminded him.

"And then spent six years in a First Order cell. I remember," he said lightly, amused.

She refocused on Aryan. "I have faith in you. If there is any chance we can end this war, here and now, it's with you. But I won't let you get killed for that chance. Poe is ready to extract you the moment you say."

Leia was called off-screen by Temmin Wexley, a pilot who seemed to have a dislike of Aryan. "I need to go." Leia smiled. "May the Force be with you."

The line cut, and Ransolm looked to Aryan. "So now what do we do?"

It took a long time for Aryan to answer, the silence stretching beyond what was probably appropriate for the situation. In truth, he was too annoyed by the latest conversation with Leia to properly consider Ransolm’s question. Despite his resolve to maintain control in the face of her discrimination, she had somehow manipulated him to accept her mission. He knew he had no one but himself to blame for that weakness. She had played directly into his sensibilities.

And yet...

The fact that she had approved his strategy—without pausing to inquire about the details—was a consolation. He had free reign.

With an audible sigh, Aryan finally turned to address Ransolm. "I’m surprised you didn’t protest when you heard my proposal," he began mildly, easing his way into the subject. "And you didn’t mention anything to Leia."

He inclined his head, gauging the younger man's reaction. "Does that mean you’re willing to pursue it? If so… I suggest we start there."

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Armitage Hux
Regrouping

After they’re short aside, Armitage Hux, wearing a wire, stepped into the central amphitheatre. They were each summoned again.

A few representatives didn’t respond to the summon and remained in their rooms. Fine, Hux thought. He cleared his throat and eyed a few of them. Aryan, who had the support of Ransolm; Corran and Mirax Horn on behalf of Corellia; Sam Hhat was here, but Miat Temm wasn’t. Curious. The Durron’s were reported to be on their way, at the further end of the compound. Suarl Getelles looked as blunt as ever. The Separatist Union representatives eyed up the Corporate Sector ones. Daala and Remal were missing; Amariah and Viszla too. But overall, the various patsies and idiots were here.

He spoke up, ignoring Pryde for a moment.

“Supreme Leader Kylo Ren has issued a change of policy.” That would bring an end to the stir of discussion. “The First Order shall no longer cede systems in political quid pro quo’s. To use his very words…”

An image of the Supreme Leader appeared from the holoprojector in Hux’s hand. ”No territory will be ceded by the First Order, and all declarations for the Rebels will be considered acts of war. All nations will accept our position as rulers of this galaxy, whether through fealty or neutrality, or be destroyed.”

There was a commotion thereafter, of course. Ransolm looked to Aryan; would he comm Poe now? Suarl chuckled slightly, drily. The Horns exchanged an unreadable look, but most would know what it meant - the First Order couldn’t hold the line. They were losing.

Hux stepped down from the podium and left Pryde to deal with the uproar. He made a beeline to Aryan. “Might we have a private conversation, Senator?”

He indicated a door which would previously have been used by the teacher for lecture preparation. Hux actually placed his hand on Aryan’s upper arm. “Come, come.”

Ransolm was too busy exchanging snarls with the Separatists, who argued that the Resistande were to blame for the change in stance. Bwua’tu snapped in Bothan at them to grow up, while Suarl launched into an anti-human rant. Where Sam Hhat would fall in this spectrum was up to them.

A single sentence across the comms to Sam from Miat. Found something.

TAG: @CosmoHender (combo), @HanSolo29 (combo)
—-
IC: Remal
The Landing Pad

There were shuttles on the sports field to the university. When Daala and Remal arrived with the intention to depart, a pair of First Order Stormtroopers appeared with blaster rifles in hand.

Remal hesitated.

“There were no discussions about weapons,” he said rather firmly.

“Nobody is allowed to leave the Summit until the Supreme Leader says,” one of the two spoke up.

Remal tensed. He had his weapon, snuck in, but didn’t want to cause an incident without his Admiral’s say so. Absently he cast his gaze around; there was their shuttle.

TAG: @Lady_Belligerent (combo)
—-
IC: Kylo Ren

Was it time?

TAG: No-one
—-
IC: Leia Organa Solo

Was it time?

TAG: No-one

 

OOC: The following is a combo with Sinrebirth! It's always a pleasure – thank you so much!!

IC: Aryan Graul and Armitage Hux
Conference Room, Nouane

It wasn’t entirely unexpected when the First Order retracted its previous offer for peace and nullified the negotiations. The hammer fell a lot sooner than Aryan anticipated—however, the outcome was still consistent with his predictions. The conference was a charade to lure them into a false sense of security. They would then crush all opposition with one definitive blow. Hux’s ultimatum was only the beginning.

In fact, Aryan probably would’ve activated the failsafe to extract Ransolm and himself from Nouane—if General Hux had not approached him to request a private conversation.

Aryan stared at the young man, his expression unmoving as he tried to interpret his strange behavior. While his tone was pleasant, the insistence with which he took his arm and ushered him into a secluded room reflected his greater urgency. He wanted to pull away and berate the pale waif for his impudence, but instead, he merely glanced over his shoulder and raised his brow at Casterfo. It wouldn’t hurt to indulge the General momentarily; perhaps he could even glean some information from him that could prove beneficial to their cause.

"What can I do for you, General?" Aryan asked carefully as he stepped into the room and turned to regard the other man. "I thought you terminated the negotiations?" He flashed a small smile. "I also doubt this is a goodwill offering, especially since we come from two very different walks of life. No offense, but I don’t think you care all that much about me."

Hux chuckled drily. "I merely wanted to have a discussion with you, in this nice and soundproof room, prepared just for you and I."

He placed a sensor jammer on the table.

"There, now we can speak freely."

He placed his hands behind his back. "I think your idea is brilliant. That the destruction of the Senate was a stupendous failing by the Supreme Leader. With the appearance of democracy, we had more control than not. We need to give the impression of due process, and offer power to more than a military bureaucracy." A sniff. "We need savvy politicians on side too."

"With you as Vice-Chancellor of the galaxy, perhaps?"

The pace at which Hux approached the subject gave Aryan pause. It was a little too convenient for the General to prearrange a private room for this occasion, especially when he had so recently touted himself before the entire assembly to promote the First Order’s agenda. It didn’t make sense, not when he considered the overall picture. And yet, he couldn’t deny the opportunity. If there was the slightest chance that Hux was truly sincere about his convictions, he had to capitalize on it.

With a light scoff, Aryan slowly circled the table’s perimeter, his fingers trailing idly along the edge. "So, despite his vehement opposition, General Pryde did relay my message after all," he noted with some amusement. "He seemed rather adamant about betraying the Supreme Leader; he’s a true conformist. However, if he reached out to you to discuss the details of my proposal, perhaps there is still some hope."

He eased himself into one of the chairs around the table with an audible sigh. While he wasn’t one to expose his vulnerabilities, his leg had been giving him some mild discomfort in recent weeks; it was the result of an old injury that never properly healed. He only needed to rest it for a spell.

"Regardless, I can’t help but notice you’ve made some… structural alterations," Aryan continued mildly, a wry smirk turning up a corner of his mouth. "I presume you no longer intend for it to function as a triumvirate—what, with your emphasis on a Vice-Chancellor. I get the distinct impression that you’re trying to override me. I don't think my colleagues in the Resistance camp will appreciate those sentiments... and neither do I."

Hux smiled freely. "The Supreme Council is a tool the Supreme Leader is using to control the First Order. His rule is weak; he is not as universally beloved as Snoke was." The man began to pace. "Snoke saved the Imperials in the Unknowns, collected us together, and wove us into a true successor state. He and his Attendants had the ability to plot Paths through the chaos, and as such, we owed him a great deal."

"Then Ren allowed him to die, and usurped the position." He swung towards Graul. "For a moment, he and I were the two most powerful people in the First Order; in the galaxy. He has steadily eroded my position since, but you will notice he hasn't killed me." Pride in his voice filled him. "He needs me. Much of the Stormtrooper Corp is loyal to me. With Captains Cardinal and Phasma dead, even more so. So he appoints more and more officers to his inner circle in an attempt to remove his need upon me, thinking that Pryde is a match."

A sniff. "One day, Kylo Ren will overstep. He'll follow that scavenger girl into a nova, or simply get himself killed because he keeps attending the frontline rather than commanding." Hux's eyes glittered. "When that happens, I'll kill the rest of the Supreme Council and I'll need to shore up my position as Chancellor of the First Order. I'll be very happy to bring an end to this pointless conflict by bringing the air of democracy, and indeed legitimacy. I know the First Order is more than just a simple military junta."

He squeezed a fist. "It needs order, and who better than you and I?"

Aryan leaned back in his chair, one hand stroking his beard as if to contemplate the General’s words—but in truth, he perceived Hux’s speech as nothing more than the aimless ramblings of a dangerous madman. In some ways, he sounded just as delusional as the Supreme Leader himself. However, it was his idolization of Snoke, which evoked memories of Palpatine’s reign, that concerned him the most. It didn’t align with his vision of a benevolent Empire.

Perhaps it had been a mistake to accept the General’s invitation, after all.

"Why wait for the Supreme Leader to stumble, affording him an opportunity to tighten his grip, when we can forcefully remove him now to prevent further suffering?" Aryan idly fingered the comm as he spoke, stalling for time rather than trying to persuade Hux. "I’m firm about him facing a war crimes tribunal for his actions. With the help of the Resistance, who I insist should play an integral role in our negotiations, we will have enough leverage to banish him.

"From there, we can dissolve the Supreme Council and establish a framework which will serve as our trajectory to install competent leadership—including your contributions to our new Empire."

Hux smiled broadly. "I don't care how Kylo Ren loses. That's all I want."

He produced a datapad. "On this is an encryption key. It allows me to send data, and cannot be traced. I intend to spy for your Resistance, and undo the man, reform the First Order in my - in our image." He waved it to Aryan. "There is ample reason for order in this galaxy. But not unfettered. It needs checks and balances. I see that now. Those war crime tribunals will be necessary to make that work, to excise the Sith from the Empire once and for all."

Hux didn't hand over the 'pad. "Do we have an accord?"

Canting his head, Aryan glanced down at the datapad, silently assessing its value, before returning his gaze to Hux. It was an appealing offer; the man had accommodated his requests, and it appeared as if their positions aligned. There was still some uncertainty about his role, specifically on who would become Chancellor, but that was something they could discuss further if they proceeded with the plan.

But despite his optimism, Aryan still felt wary of Hux’s intentions. He didn’t trust the man and wondered if he was merely indulging him to make him more pliable. Did he want to use him as a pawn?

A thin smile touched Aryan’s lips. "Then you don’t intend to meet with the rest of the Resistance contingent?" he asked mildly, his eyes straying once more toward the datapad. "You want me to serve as your sole contact."

He leaned back and idly stroked his beard.

"You know I would prefer if we did this as a collaboration… but I’m sure I can find a solution."

Hux waved the datapad. "You can pass over responsibility to someone else, but I want you to take the initial credit for this contact." He did narrow his eyes. "But I expect to be kept anonymous. I might be killed if discovered."

His tone was light.

"Of course, if they don’t immediately accuse me of negating my end of the deal," Aryan scoffed with a rueful smile. Leia had granted him permission to extend his proposal to Hux and the First Order delegation; surely, she would understand if he managed to reach an agreement that could lay the foundation for a possible truce. That’s what she had entrusted him to achieve.

"But as I said, a solution isn’t impossible, as long as we have the same goal in mind." Aryan exhaled through his nose and slowly extended his hand. "All things considered, I believe we have an accord."

"Excellent." He shook the hand and deposited the datapad in the other hand.

He looked down at his chrono. "We should probably get back to our respective parties."

A gesture from Hux took in the room. "You can leave from one way, and me via the other."

Aryan shook the other man’s hand and accepted the datapad as if it were a coveted prize. He glanced surreptitiously down at the screen, half-expecting it to display the first item of interest, though he knew that would be a foolish gesture in this tense environment. It was merely his anticipation; he was allowing it to run rampant with the possibilities.

Silently chiding himself, Aryan tucked the datapad into his suit jacket and slowly rose to his feet, wincing slightly with the effort. "Until our paths cross again," he acknowledged with a curt nod, idly patting his pocket. "I look forward to your first correspondence."

He then shuffled toward the entryway on the opposite side of the conference room, hesitating for the briefest of moments before crossing the threshold.

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

A nail biting combo with @Sinrebirth, you had me stressing with this one.

IC: Natasi Daala -lady_b, Remal and others -Sinre
Nouane


“Nobody is allowed to leave the Summit until the Supreme Leader says,” one of the two spoke up.

Daala’s brow rose at the comments by the First Order Stromtroopers. She would have likely given the same orders if the situation was reversed. It was tempting to draw her blaster, trusting Remal would have one ready to draw, and shoot their way out. Her right handed pulsed as a reminder of the adrenaline rush she always got during a firefight to escape enemies.

It wouldn’t be ideal in this situation, but that would be her plan B.

“We have just come from a meeting with Armitage Hux, and he assured us that we would be allowed to return briefly to the Chimaera. Remal will be flying my shuttle for me, and I am going to retrieve a gift for the Supreme Leader. I didn’t carry it with me since it is valuable, and I wasn’t entirely sure he would be here. Make no mistake, I was sure to discuss this matter with Hux.”

She began walking towards her shuttle, “this way Remal,” Daala ordered, then added, “I do expect you both will not speak of this to the Supreme Leader, his gift is intended to be a surprise, and I know he will be delighted with it. Hux is in on our plans, so we will be off and shall return in less than two standard hours.”

The Stormtrooper held out an arm to block the way. "I want to check-in about this."

"If you want to irritate Armitage Hux, do be my guest," Remal said, drily. "He's renowned for his patience."

"Just let them go," the other trooper said, basically whining. "This is a shak-show and you know it."

"No, this is my chance to get noticed by the higher ups and promoted."

"Oh ya," replied the whiner. "Us, with the worst scores in our cadre. You haven't even noticed that it's just us, and the General's haven't even put their ships in this hangar. We're cannon fodder, mate."

Remal smothered a smile. These two were idiots.

Natasi’s soft smile was out of character, but these guys had no way of knowing that, “you’ll spoil my surprise if you start messaging about it,” she said gently. “Now, we must run along, I promised Hux that we would hurry,” Daala nodded at Remal, they wouldn’t have time for check lists or any other preflight warm ups.

“We shall return directly with the gifts,” she gave a tiny wave with her finger and strode towards her shuttle.

The Whiner, as Remal labelled him, saluted. "Yes, madam Admiral. Might I, um, accompany you to your shuttle?"

The Stick (as in Stick up his backside), shook his helmeted head. "We're supposed to stand watch."

"So you watch, I'll escort."

"Fine."

"FINE!"

Stick wandered off to patrol elsewhere.

Whiner deflated, shoulders dropped. "I don't suppose one of those gifts to the Supreme Leader is a way out of this obvious trap where the said Supreme Leader doesn't care if I die?"

Daala didn’t stop walking when she answered the guard, “I won’t report this discussion, because there was a time, early in my career, when I said things that landed me in the brig. Don’t ask me how many times that happened,” she laughed dryly.

At the ramp she stopped and quickly turned to face the guard, giving Remal a chance to set them up for a rapid departure. “Go back to your assigned watch, young man,” she said, “and I shall return well before your shift ends.”

The man saluted. "Yes, Admiral."

The Stormtrooper headed back to his annoying partner.

Remal regarded him for a moment. "Didn't want the deadweight?"

He slipped into the cockpit seat and began prepping them. He didn't raise the ramp, nor do anything obvious, not yet.

“No. I don’t trust anyone who serves Kylo Ren,” she said while strapping in. “Why do you ask, Remal? Would you have trusted him?” Daala asked.

“Shouldn’t we get moving before one of those fools decide to comm a superior?” They had made it this far, and Daala was anxious to be off of Nouane.

"I guess I was looking at the Intelligence opportunity," Remal admitted. "But at the same time, he seemed useless."

He refocused. "Let's get moving." He keyed the ramp up, and the Stormtroopers began to look, comically, panicked.

From the hangar entrance came a man in black charging forward.

He had what could only be described as a meat cleaver in hand.



“What the hell is this?” Daala exclaimed.

“Hit it, Remal… get us out of here,” she urged. “This place is an asylum, the sooner we are out of there, the better.”

She scowled, wondering if Droma escaped before the whole place is turned into a slaughterhouse.

Remal began to kick up the ship into launch, and there was a huge CLANK.

The man, he'd slammed into the shuttle.

A slight alarm rung, and Remal ignored it as he lifted off.

The man stayed on top of the hull, yanking free his blade and, according to the internal sensors, was moving, impossibly, to position himself above the cockpit for a coup de grace.

"Force user!" Remal bit out as he struggled with the controls suddenly.

“Punch it, Remal,” Daala barked, “if we break atmosphere he should die.”

She activated the shuttles security systems that would deliver a shock to any foreign body attached to the hull.

After that she activated the shields, that raised a magnetic field to repel the fool.
Something had to knock him loose.

The security measures of the shuttle sent the Knight of Ren - for what else could it be - tumbling to the hangar floor -

A moment later he and the other shuttles, and the Stormtrooper firing ineffectually at them, were mere dots behind them -

There was a beep update.

"Ma'am, we have a hull breach. We can't make vacuum."

Remal sounded more frustrated than apologetic.

Daala cursed under her breath, she hit the shuttle’s comm and keyed an encrypted channel to the Chimeara. “This is Daala, our hull has been breached. We’re going to need a pick up once we lose attackers.”

She looked over at Remal and sighed, “get the weapon systems on line, it’s been awhile but I should still be able to hit a target.”

"Hey, can you perhaps not do that," a drawling tone came over the open comms. "This is New Republic Commander Poe Dameron, you're about to run straight into my squadron, in upper atmo."

Sensors couldn't see them yet, but cloud cover was a thing. Leia must have kept a squadron hidden just in-case.

Remal checked. Dameron's signal was very weak, designed to only be heard by a ship nearby. It shouldn't reach as far as the First Order.

"Gonna tell me what's going on? We've heard nothing from our delegates, and Graul has a direct line to us."

Daala glanced over to Remal and said, “give him the sitrep, and emphasize that our hull has been breached. Maybe they can give us an assist faster than anyone from the Chimeara.”

She scowled, “Dameron is one of Leia’s current pet pilots, he should want bragging rites that he assisted Admiral Daala.”

Remal did as instructed, and Poe whistled. "Alright. Messy. Sounds like a Knight of Ren, and maybe the fact I've not heard from the good Senator is indicative of them having been captured."

"So, looks like I'm going in." A quiver of static as he widened the comm range. "Snap, you're to escort the Admiral until her forces can arrange pick up."

"Sure," came a garrulous reply from Temmin Wexley.

In a moment, eleven X-wings emerged from the cloud-cover and began drifting down to the surface.

One held besides Daala. "I'm letting out my astromech to patch your hull. Probably be quicker than your forces getting in." Snap sounded unhappy about it. "Is that agreeable?"

Remal muted the feed. "That's Wedge Antilles' stepson. From his second marriage."

Daala nodded at the intel from Remal, “I’m fortunate to have you, Remal,” she said. “You’re a veritable walking Holonet and quidnuc, and I mean that in the most positive way.”

She sat back and watched the hull cam views of the astromech attached to her shuttle. “ I doubt the rebel repair will be up to our standards, so order it to be inspected once we’re back on the Chimaera.

Remal smirked back, amused, but appreciative. "No doubt, it is a Rebel repair."

Snap came back on the comms. "All patched up. Did you want an escort into vacuum?"

Daala rolled her eyes and smiled at Remal, “we might as well allow them the privilege… and holo op. They’ll need to come to me in person if they want the image autographed.”

Leaning back she added, “Now get us back to my flagship.”

The X-wing escorted the shuttle into orbit, and beyond atmosphere.

The Chimaera was hanging at the edge of the system, with the Resurgent-class Steadfast on the horizon.

A channel crackle. "Shuttle, please identify yourself."

Snap dropped back, and a targeting lock keened.

Remal swore. "What is he doing?"

Daala hit the comm, “I think you need to identify yourself as you’re in the way of me landing on my own ship.”
She didn’t like being bullied by anyone, and this idiot targeting them struck a nerve.

Swearing under her breath she asked Remal, “can you get the Chimaera through a back channel? Did the bastards board her?”

"If you're in distress, shuttle, we can protect you," the officer said. Two TIEs were launched to emphasise the point.

Snap fired. The shuttle rocked.

Remal's expression cleared. "He's making it look like we're being pursued."

He turned the shuttle towards the TIEs. "We use the furball to distract, and then head to the Chimaera."

A sensor ping.

The Chimaera was on it's way.

“Tell Dameron’s guy to fire on them! He needs to defend us,” she was looking over the controls from her seat, “we have shields up, I assume?”

She took a slow breath and apologized to Remal. “My patience is gone by these bastards, and how they keep trying to stop us. I have complete faith in your abilities to get us to the Chimaera in one piece.”

Daala sat back and griped the armrests wondering why they were so determined to keep her on Nouane, or they’d kill her before they’d let her get to the Chimaera?

Remal turned them away from the advancing TIEs, and the X-wing fired on one, reduced it to slag, and they were out of the engagement. The Steadfast's comm officer spoke up. "Shuttle, please remove yourself from the fray. We will protect you."

"Fooled," Remal muttered. "But we can keep going now."

A Cronau radiation spike came across the comms. "Incoming," Remal muttered.

There it was; the Chimaera.

The Steadfast turned ponderously away from the X-wing, and Remal gunned the engines.

"Shuttle, are you not a First Order asset?"

"Duh," Remal muttered, and smiled at Daala. "Did you want to give them an Admiral Natasi Daala response?"

These fools had sorely tested Daala’s patience. She keyed the comm and angrily addressed them, “shuttle Steadfast, this is Admiral Natasi Daala, you have engaged myself, and my escort, during a peace conference. You are also in violation of the Coruscant Accords, article 9.651.” She glanced over at Remal and shrugged, “you are ordered to surrender yourself to your superior officer for court martial… immediately!”

Sitting back in the seat she glared out of the viewport. This whole gathering had been a farce, and for all they knew the other attendees had already been eliminated or locked up.

The Star Destroyer signed off, and ignored her thereafter.

Which was fine as she had wanted to get aboard the Chimaera, and she promptly did. The bridge was already requesting orders before she had disembarked. Remal took the comms. "The rest of the Maw Fleet is a light year away. We can jump it in, and take out the Steadfast, or pull out."

She scanned through reports that had been filed in her absence and saw nothing major. All appeared in order, and that her crew had managed as expected.

“Could we take the Steadfast quickly before they could get back up here?”
Daala asked. They had been silent and had stayed out of her way since her ridiculous accusations, which was exactly what Natasi had wanted.

"Maybe?" Remal said, lightly. "It's a Resurgent-class battlecruiser. It can take on two Chimaera's... but probably not our crystal weapons. If you want to reveal we still have those."

The Resurgent-class was a three kilometer Star Destroyer, and the First Order's chosen weapon. It could - and the Steadfast was - launch twelve squadrons of TIEs; all advanced TIE/FO and TIE/SF models, the latter twin-person weapon platforms.

Having destroyed the second TIE, Snap's X-wing turned for atmosphere, and went at full speed for the surface -

Most of the TIEs turned towards the Chimaera.

“Never mind,” she said quickly, “we can’t take on the entire First Order here,” she sighed. “Open a channel to whoever is currently leading this clown show.”

They made it to the bridge, and Remal looked for contact.

"We've Resistance X-wings in orbit, First Order TIEs heading our way for the most part, and signals from a secondary location - a private hangar? We're intercepting a lot of comm traffic."

Knights of Ren. Hostages. Nothing about Droma or Aryan Graul.

The Steadfast was holding orbit, and Remal had the Chimaera go into full reverse, out of the larger Destroyers' weapons range.

"I've a variety of warships at various points of the system."

A Providence-class carrier from the Separatist Union; an Invincible-class heavy cruiser with Corporate Sector colours; an Imperial Star Destroyer with a Antemeridian IFF code; a yacht simply called the Pulsar Skate. They were all some distance away from the planet.

“Hail them all, the Separatist, Corporates, and the ISD. Might as well patch the yacht in as well,” she said. “Inform them we were lured her under false pretenses. We could attack the Steadfast if we join forces,” she speculated.

Start big and if that doesn’t work they can make a run for it.

In very short order, they were all on the channel.

A Tactical Droid, a shadowed man called Quistis from the Corporate Systems, and Suarl Getelles from the Antemeridian Sector. The little yacht revealed a Jedi; Valin Horn, looking narrowly at Daala. They knew each other well. She'd put him in carbonite.

Daala cringed seeing that Valin Horn was one of those who she would be speaking to, it didn’t help either that she hated Jedi.

“I have only just returned to my ship from Nouane,” Daala began, “and if you have representatives currently down on the planet, know that they’re prisoners. The First Order lured us all here, and I suspect they were doing this to eliminate those of us who will not support their rule.

One of the First Order ships is currently attacking the Chimaera, I request assistance to disable their ship and any other that they dispatch to stop us. This would be the first step to freeing your people still on Nouane.”

Suarl sniffed. "My father wouldn't want me to spit on you in a desert." At that, she cut the channel, and her Star Destroyer began to turn and depart.

The Tactical Droid spat static; an intention to commit their Providence-class destroyer, elderly as it was. 144 droid starfighters launched - matching the Steadfast's complement.

Quistis, from his shadows, snorted. "Interesting. But we shall assist, of course. Perhaps we can meet after, Admiral?" An Invincible-class Dreadnaught cruiser began to move in-system. As large as the Steadfast, but an ancient design.

For his part, Valin smiled. "I'll head down to the surface and extract the politicians, if that's all fine. The Pulsar Skate can take them all. We'll need to arrange a rendezvous..."

Remal frantically tapped a message on his screen. Pacara? The Resistance base.

He smiled wanly.

Daala’s lip twitched.

Suarl was no loss, she would be a liability in battle, just like her useless father. She didn’t commit to meeting this Quistis, he was an unknown player to her, and she would need to know more before agreeing to meet in person.

Valin did what she expected, and welcomed.

“That will be fine, Jedi Horn. We can offer you cover to get to ground, and when you launch to depart,” Daala said. “Remal will send the coordinates to rendezvous over a separate encrypted channel.”

Remal did, and looked at their makeshift task force. "We're probably about evenly matched."

"Brace for combat!" He shouted to the crew, as the three capital ships danced with the much more modern ship.

The Battle of Nouane had begun.

Natasi sighed and took her seat to oversee the field.

“Remal, I wasn’t lying to the Horn kid, give him plenty of cover,” she ordered.

Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Frantis Griss
Aboard the Steadfast, the Battle of Nouane

The Resurgent-class Star Destroyer held in orbit.

"What a motley alliance," Frantis Griss said snidely, the Admiral infinitely amused by the coalition.

The Imperial Star Destroyer from the Antemeridian Sector had turned to leave, which was sufficient for the First Order. Griss had notified High Command, should the Supreme Leader wish to make an issue of it.

The Confederate Providence-class cruiser/carrier had reoriented towards them, concealed behind a fighter swarm as immense as his own, but using out-dated scarab droid fighters against modern First Order designs...

As too had the Corporate Systems Invincible-class Dreadnaught, which was as large as the Steadfast but considerably less well armed.

The third ship was what he considered to be the true threat - the Chimaera.

The second Star Destroyer to bear its name, but it's commander, Admiral Daala, was more experienced than even Frantis - as much as Ennic Pryde, the commander of this ship who was nonetheless on the ground.

They'd lost control of events on the surface, clearly, by the ships sneaking into orbit, and the Resistance X-wings now causing grief with the orbital TIE defenses. He was going to order the Steadfast to open fire on the Pulsar Skate, but the Chimaera had slid between the yacht and the barrage.

"Interesting."

The Chimaera shook with that hit, as Remal did as ordered the screened Valin Horn and his yacht. It was there best chance at scooping up the others, though.

They were fighting to evacuate, not to destroy.

"Ma'am, I reckon we're evenly matched with the Steadfast, unless we resort to our crystal phase weapons, or some fancy tactics."

He did point at another capital ship on the scopes. The Ralroost. "I do believe Bwua'tu is still on the surface, though." The Bothans were steering clear of everything, for the moment. "If we had that ships help, we could drive off the First Order."

TAG: @Lady_Belligerent (combo)
---
Heading towards the complex

Four X-wings wasn't precisely a strike-force, but it made for a good appearance.

Poe didn't need to conceal their approach at this point, so he gunned for the loudest but swiftest descent.

Twelve TIE Fighters rose up from behind the main land, and the dogfight ensured.

A Corellian yacht blazed through, reminding him of the Falcon and it's wild gyrations, scattering the TIE formation and clipping one fighter which exploded.

He read the pennant code; the Pulsar Skate, associated with the Horn family.

Poe grinned. "Black Squadron, let's keep those TIEs busy while our new friend gets our people out."

He keyed the channel Leia had given him.

"Aryan Graul, you best be there."

The comlink in Aryan's hand chimed.

But the conference room, it was empty.

Everyone had fled while he was with Hux.

And Hux had left by a different exit.

TAG: @HanSolo29 (combo)
---
Through the corridors

Mirax had a firm fix on the location of Miat Temm, and lead the run that way.

Sam Hhat was with them, and Corran had Pryde by blade point.

They were running, of course, but along the way they lost almost all of the other representatives, who took tunnels into different directions.

Apart from Nek Bwua'tu, who remained keeping pace with them.

"I need to know what happened to Daala," he said, simply, and didn't invite any other discussion.

But then they were in the middle of a central area, and the hangar - the private hangar - was there.

It hadn't even been that far away, just concealed -

Five shadowy individuals stood.

Hattaska Ren ignited a black-bladed weapon.

Jaedec Ren pulled out a pair of beskar slugthrowers.

Vicrul Ren brandished a sycthe.

Lorl and Ott Ren drew blasters.

Corran swore.

He had himself, and Sam - was that going to be enough?

Releasing Pryde, he went to defend himself -

TAG: @CosmoHender (combo)

 

Combo post with our amazing GM @Sinrebirth

IC: Admiral Daala, Remal, and others
over Nouane


Admiral Daala was braced for the impact to the Chimaera’s shields.

Everything about this so-called summit had been off since the start, and she fully planned on getting the hell out of here as soon as Valin Horn retrieved the few beings that deserved a lift off this rock.

“Get the crystal phase shifter online, Remal,” Daala ordered, “I want it ready to fire if it becomes necessary.”

She kept watch on the display, and silently admired the Horn kid’s keen piloting skills.

Remal looked alarmed. "Are you sure, Admiral?"

He rarely - very rarely - questioned her, and especially not on the bridge.

The Steadfast was chewing through the Invincible Dreadnaught's shields, even as the Chimaera took and dealt damage to their respective shields. Quistis was on the comms again. "Admiral?" His voice wavered as a particularly concentrated salvo did damage to them. The Providence-class cruiser-carrier was commanding the fighters, which were losing steadily against the enemy TIE Whispers.

Getelles' Star Destroyer held back at the edge of the system, but did not jump, concerningly.

The Bothan Assault Cruiser for its part was edging towards the planet.

A single shuttle was lifting up to head towards it.

Bwua'tu?

Horn had vanished beneath cloud-cover, and he'd made it to the main hangar, at very least.

“I merely asked that it be ready, I wasn’t ready to destroy Nouane… although that’s an idea,” she smirked.

“There is no reason for us to hang around once Horn escapes,” she said. “Nothing good came out of this summit.”

It had in fact been a waste and they’d almost been held prisoner there.

Quistis was again calling for attention, the anonymous commander of the Corporate Systems Invincible Dreadnaught.

Remal did as he was told, and comms spoke up.

"Horn is on the move, ma'am, he's not settled in the main hangar."

Indeed, the yacht was heading to another part of the island.

Jedi trickery?

The Chimaera shook again, but gave as good as it got. Remal spoke up. "Permission to launch our fighters?" As they were supposed to be leaving, he hadn't done so, but if they did that, they'd be committed to staying to collect them back up - or choosing to abandon their pilots.

“Find out what Quistis wants since he isn’t going away.”

Launching fighters committed them for the duration of this incident, if you can call holding beings against their will an incident.

“Hold off launching, then do it only if we have no other option. I stand by my decision to leave immediately, but it seems I have a soft spot for Valin,” she said with a wry grin. “Keep him covered, and cover Bwua’tu’s shuttle as well.”

Before long they would be covering everyone’s ass at this rate.

Remal acknowledged.

Then, Quistis was on the line.

His image was obscured for the moment.

"Admiral," he said, supercilious. "Might we have some privacy before I show you my face?"

The shuttle reached the Bothan Assault Cruiser, and the ship began to turn.

Remal called out. "I don't think Bwua'tu was aboard, Admiral."

Valin, for his part, had set the Skate down at a hitherto secret hangar!

“For kirffsake,” Daala grumbled, “Remal, send this holo to my office, and while I’m dealing with secrets, see if you can find out where Bwua’tu is.” She’d sent a meaningful glare at the mystery person, this was hardly time for theatrics.


“The Horn kid too, Remal, something doesn’t seem right about this,” Daala said as she entered a small office off the bridge. She straightened her tunic and touched the holopad on her desk. “Okay, what’s with the secrets?” Daala asked curtly.

The creature revealed his face; it was nonhuman, and not a species she had tangled with before. It definitely was not the kind of representative to the Corporate Systems she would have expected. "I am Quistis, representative of the Grysk Hegemony. We are a nation in the so-called Unknown Regions, and have had our... differences with Thrawn and his cult of personality in the past. We are seeking to make allies of the greatest of the Admirals in Known Space, one who is well known to oppose his successor Jagged Fel." A smile; all teeth.

"So we may come to your aid should you ever require it."

Daala stood for a moment, silent and expressionless.

“Was there anything else?” She asked abruptly. “We are in a minor situation at the moment, so I really do not have time currently to spare for negotiations… I’m sure you can understand that.”

The Grysk hesitated. "Only my guarantee of your safety in this engagement. I am tasking my crew with ramming the Steadfast. Then you will be placed to flee." He looked off-screen. "I shall be committing to this action in a matter of minutes."

That meant he was going to do it regardless of the fate of the Separatists, of Bwua'tu, of Aryan, of Valin Horn and the others.

But it was also likely to be her best chance at escape.

“Hold on,” Daala snapped, “I’m trying to get a few people off of Nouane before you start ramming ships.”

She still wasn’t clear why this had to be so secretive, and now he’s going to go full wrecking ball.

“I’m requesting you hold off until I can get confirmation that two beings are safely out of the way, at that moment I can signal you to do as you please.”

They had already put off leaving, so she might as well see this through.

Quistis hissed. "As you wish, Admiral." He bowed slightly. "I am at your command."

The ship shook, and Remal sent an update. "The Bothan Assault Cruiser has jumped, ma'am. Abandoned us."

Daala shook her head and snapped, “I’m required on my bridge, thank you for the cooperation.” With that she ended the transmission and hurried back for a more detailed sitrep.

”Was Nek Bwua’tu on board,” she asked Remal hurriedly.

"I don't think so. I had a go at their net, and it was probably just Admiral For'o, perhaps Kre'frey. But Bwua'tu has been left behind."

There was a few shudders from the ship, more harassment fire. "The battles pretty even between the three capital ships, but the droid fighters are antiques; they're being shredded by the more modern TIE Whispers."

Valin Horn's Pulsar Skate was on the ground, and then heading up -

Poe's squadron was at the former school, the site of the meeting.

"We don't have to hold on much longer."

She couldn’t imagine the Bothan ship leaving without Nek on board, but if he was still on Nouane there wasn’t much she could do about it.

”Perhaps Bwua’tu and Graul are escaping with the Horn kid,” she said studying Nouane on the display, “I believe we have done all we can to give them a shot of escaping. Get us out of here once the Horn kid has cleared this cluster of capital ships.”

Tag: @Sinrebirth @HanSolo29 @CosmoHender

 

OOC: The following is a combo with Sinrebirth – thank you so much!!

IC: Aryan Graul, Poe Dameron, and Droma
Nouane

Aryan stood in the vacant room after Hux’s departure, relishing the silence that descended on the small space. It was the first true reprieve he had managed to procure since arriving on Nouane. The rest had been a whirlwind of perpetual meetings and lengthy discussions about the validity of a peace treaty. Their efforts had eventually failed to produce results, which led the Supreme Leader to promptly end the summit. The man’s haste had sent the various delegations reeling, provoking a military response that, even now, threatened to escalate into a full-blown war.

The only positive development to come out of this disastrous conference was the private conversation he had recently held with General Hux. Despite the waifish man’s petulant disposition, he had presented some endearing ideas that could potentially assist Aryan in achieving his goals for a more benevolent Empire. At the very least, he found the prospect of becoming Vice-Chancellor—or even Chancellor—quite appealing.

Leaning against the circular table, Aryan retrieved the datapad from his pocket and began to turn it around within his grip. The device held the core of Hux’s plan; the man had emphasized the importance of delivering it personally to Organa’s staff as it contained sensitive intelligence about the First Order.

And yet, he hesitated. He would need to ensure his own welfare in such an exchange, especially since he was technically still a prisoner under Resistance control. Fortunately, he wasn’t without a strategy.

But before he could bring it to full fruition, his comlink chimed with Poe Dameron’s insistent voice.

"Aryan Graul, you best be there."

Aryan audibly cursed as he returned the datapad to his pocket and swapped it for the comm. "Relax, I’m here," he replied in an equally irritable tone. "I’m surprised you haven’t already blasted your way to the surface to extricate me personally—but I doubt you consider me worth your efforts. Perhaps our dear Senator compelled you to send a message instead. To ease his mind? He strikes me as the nervous sort."

"I'm actually on my way," Poe bit back. "The capital ships in orbit are slugging it out, and it's all very frosty." Starpilot parlance and Poe sent a small update along the feed.

The Steadfast was firing on the Chimaera and the Separatist and Corporate envoys vessels. The Antemeridian Sector and Bothan representatives had already pulled back.

A bang in the background of the comm channel confirmed how Poe was doing. A shrill noise followed.

"Happy beeps, BB, happy beeps," the pilot scolded. "We can't find Ransolm, either. Why aren't you together?"

"It’s chaos down here," Aryan answered curtly, purposely omitting the details to avoid further condemnation. "Judging by the frantic squeals of your astromech and the unmistakable pop of explosions, you can relate to my predicament."

The quick sitrep of the ongoing battle did nothing to persuade Aryan. He inwardly scowled and resisted the urge to roll his eyes at Dameron’s antics. The man was insufferable; he loathed the idea of placing himself at his mercy. Unfortunately, there was seemingly no other way off the planet except through him.

He was stuck… for now.

"I will say this, though," Aryan continued in the same complacent tone. "The Senator’s absence is purely of his own volition. It’s not my fault he decided to flee at the first sign of trouble. As I already emphasized, he’s a nervous guy. He could be anywhere at this point."

"Helpful," Poe said drily. "Well, Graul, you're welcome to get to the roof and set up a beacon, head back to wherever you set down... otherwise there's a yacht dropping down on the other side of the complex." He sent over the data. Those were the three options.

"Give me a minute, and I'll contact you again when I'm clear of these TIEs."

More beep-screams.

"I heard you, I heard you!"

The line cut.

The wider data showed the Chimaera and two other capital ships slugging it out with the First Order Star Destroyer, too.

"Looks hairy," came a voice, and suddenly Droma was in the room. "What way we going, eh?"

The Ryn’s unexpected appearance amplified the string of curses Aryan had initially reserved for Poe’s insolence. Clenching the now silent comlink in his palm, he turned on his heel to glare at the scruffy humanoid. He looked unassuming at first glance, but as a species, the Ryn were notorious for their recon and surveillance; they were masters at espionage. Aryan couldn’t help but wonder how long he had been lurking in the shadows, eavesdropping on his conversation.

Had he witnessed the exchange with Hux?

"There’s no we in this equation," Aryan replied sharply, his blue eyes narrowing dangerously. "I don’t have the time or patience to deal with stowaways, so if you want to survive, I suggest you get busy securing yourself an alternative way off this planet."

Aryan started to push toward the door, but then paused and drew himself up to his full height. He scratched idly at his beard as he stared down at the Ryn to scrutinize him. "Unless your only purpose here is to act as a spy," he uttered with malice in his voice.

Of course, he had no weapon; the Resistance did not quite trust him in that regard, so he had to resort to traditional intimidation techniques.

"For Daala?" The Ryn’s tone was distinctly offended. "Perish the thought. I happened to be involved to get to the bottom of the First Order’s plans here." He didn’t give any tell as to precisely when he had arrived.

"I should say, the primary hangar is in flames… and the private hangar that the First Order had is that way." He pointed, to the open door. "Almost everyone ran that way. I’m looking for the Admiral’s ex-lover. I happen to think their connection will keep the peace in the future." An absent shrug.

"So you’re welcome to head back the way you came and risk the Battle of Nouane, or go visit the First Order and see what you can steal." He produced a blaster and checked the charge, lightly tossed it over. "For you."

Aryan fumbled with the blaster instead of catching it cleanly, noticeably distracted by the Ryn’s facetious remarks about Daala. Nevertheless, he still managed to secure the weapon before he could drop it and further embarrass himself. In truth, it shouldn’t have bothered him in the first place; he didn’t know Daala personally. She was merely a professional acquaintance.

And yet…

"What makes you think the Admiral approves of you roaming around on her behalf to seek out her ex-lover?" Aryan blurted before he could hold his tongue and think better of his words. There may have even been a hint of jealousy in his tone. "Especially when the goal is to escape the conflict? That sounds counterintuitive to me. The guy probably fled with the others."

He narrowed his eyes, growing more suspicious. "I think that’s an excuse; I’m your real target, aren’t I?"

"Maybe," Droma said drily. "Maybe Leia put me with Daala to keep an eye on her, and then an eye on you."

A shrug. "Or maybe not?"

A scowl crossed Aryan’s features as he tightened his grip on the blaster. The temptation was there to shoot Droma where he stood; he wasn’t in the mood to entertain riddles. Even so, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility for General Organa to hire the Ryn as a spy. She had never trusted him. It was the reason why she had relegated him to serve as the Resistance’s ambassador. She hadn’t expected him to survive the ordeal.

Aryan scoffed and lifted his chin to regard the Ryn more closely, a bitter smile touching his lips. "And you continue to perform duties for the Resistance when you’re aware of the General’s subterfuge? Or… is it just another job for you? Independent contractor and all that?"

Exhaling heavily, he reached up and pushed his hair away from his forehead with exasperation. "Let me tell you where I stand under these circumstances." He raised his brow, anticipating the Ryn’s response. "Are you aware she assigned me to this role to offload me? I’m sure she expected me to die down here. That doesn’t exactly motivate me to carry on with this campaign. I have no desire to willfully return to the Resistance."

Droma shrugged. "The Ryn Network was set up by Daala. I’m pretty sure you’re aware of her chequered past. I just do what needs to be." He didn’t have a blaster in hand, but he would undoubtedly have another one somewhere.

A boom shook the building, and sawdust dropped from the ceiling upon them.

"I already said I’m here for Bwua’tu. I suspect For’o abandoned him, pursuing Bothan power plays… and he’s the bridge between a lot of people. Leia, Daala, Poe Dameron… you." A shrug. "If I have other missions that’s my business. Speculate as to whatever you like, Aryan Graul, son of Norin, husband of Lyz, lover of Sybelle… father to…" A glint in his eye.

"You get the picture. You could bring the Corellian Sector into the future. Into the New Republic. Into the First Order. Now Garm Bel Iblis is dead, and Wedge turned against his kin in the war… you’re the single most important Corellian in the galaxy. You think that Denjax Teppler can command your family's loyalty? Or Admiral Delpin?" A snort. "Make your damn decision already, Aryan. That’s what Leia gave you with this mission. A choice."

He turned to go, waving at Aryan absently. "I’ll tell Leia at some point that you didn’t manage to make one when it mattered." A huff.

"She did a really fine job conveying those intentions," Aryan grumbled under his breath, his brow furrowed as he watched the Ryn retreat. "If she truly wanted to motivate me, maybe she should’ve demonstrated her point with more clarity instead of proclaiming that I’m expendable. I bet I would’ve been more amenable to her ideas. Common courtesy can go a long way."

Despite his bitter tirade, he found that he appreciated the Ryn’s insight; he believed there was some merit to his proposal about Corellia. It was certainly an enticing offer, one he was willing to pursue under the right conditions. However, for the moment, he was too irate over General Organa’s duplicity—and Droma’s apparent complacency—to think rationally.

"She wanted me to make a choice?" Aryan scoffed and shook his head, the blaster still evident in his grip. "I think I already have. Isn’t that obvious? You only convinced me that I was right all along. You can pass that on to the General."

He offered a sloppy wave, gesturing with the blaster.

"See ya around, Droma."

TAG: @Sinrebirth; @Lady_Belligerent (for mentions)

 

IC: Vicrul Ren

The Pulsar Skate lifted off, and shot into orbit.

It left them behind, Knights of Ren, but Pryde was here.

The chaos settled, and the First Order hangar fell silent.

Coincidentally, Hux reappeared just then. "Well that was entertaining."

He eyed Pryde. "I managed to duck aside in the fight, and here I am. Ready to return to the Steadfast. In your absence I issued instructions to it, to ensure your flagship wasn't destroyed." The smile on his face was nauseatingly superior. "But this affair seems to have run its natural course, no?"

TAG: @CosmoHender (combo)
---
Elsewhere

Aryan Graul was left be by Droma, who headed off on his own quest.

But were he to go to the hangar he had landed in, Aryan would find all the functional ships had gone, and the rest had been sabotaged or reduced to debris by a TIE fighter bombing run.

That left the obvious First Order hangar, probably on the other side of the Nouane complex.

There were still fighters in-system, the little staccato of flares in the night sky told him as much.

TAG: @HanSolo29 (combo)
---
In orbit

The Chimaera and the two other capital ships slugged it out with the Steadfast, while the Pulsar Skate flew up.

Corran checked on everyone, and hooked up Miat Temm to the makeshift medbay they had. Mirax was used to fighting on the move, so the Skate was fairly well equipped notwithstanding. Corran didn't step in initially, offering his talents with healing as a Jedi Master, not wanting to cross a line with Sam Hhat.

He turned slightly. "Now what?"

They were above the battle line, and Valin was calling out for direction.

Ransolm, for his part, was strapping in. He was a politician, not a fighter, and he knew explaining the disaster to Leia would be hard enough to survive.

TAG: @CosmoHender (combo)
---
Aboard the Chimaera, bridge

The battle had been a stalemate the moment it began, between the three aged warships and the modern Resurgent-class Star Destroyer. The droid fighters' numbers made up for the First Order advanced TIEs, and that equilibrium, which could have been turned by either Suarl Getelles siding with the First Order, or the Bothans staying behind to help, was fixed.

Damage was mounting, especially on the older Invincible-class heavy cruiser, but this Quistis fellow didn't seem overly concerned - the Skate was away, and there were no representatives left on the surface now. The Resistance X-wings had kept the Nouane facility largely safe, save for a concentrated attack the TIEs made on the remaining ships on the surface. The twelve X-wings, however, were dangerously low on fuel and looking to pull out too.

However, a comm call up to the Chimaera represented a slight issue.

"It's Droma, Admiral. I've found Bwua'tu. He's unconscious and injured. Request immediate evac."

Remal, who overheard, looked at Daala, startled.

Staying could be quite precarious, but of course Droma added a little more.

"Aryan Graul told me to leave him here, too."

TAG: @Lady_Belligerent (combo)

 

A Combo with @Sinrebirth as all except Admiral Daala.

over Nouane

Daala scowled at Droma’s holo.

She wondered why Aryan Graul would refuse to get out of there?

“Were you clear with Graul that he needed to get out and that you would assist in that?” She asked Droma.

“Remal, we need to get Bwua’tu,” she ordered, “get that in motion.”

Remal blanched as the Chimaera shook. "Ma'am, if we stay for too long -"

But he knew that face, that scowl, that tone, and sighed. "Order Captain Stele to prepare a squadron to escort a shuttle to the surface."

Quistis was on the comms, also the Super Tactical Droid, trying to reach Daala, but Droma replied. "Aryan has his own plans, it seems. He's gone rogue. From Leia, or from you."

”Then tell Captain Stele to hurry,” Daala told Remal. “Droma, get coordinates to Remal so he can get that shuttle on the ground close by, we don’t have any time to spare up here, got that?”

Daala waved off the comms from Quistis saying, “try to find out what the hell he wants, we are more than slightly busy.”

Remal pulled a face but complied. The Chimaera shook, and the Steadfast punched a hole in the Invincible-class Dreadnaught, venting bodies into space. Quistis was expressing concern in smooth and very unconcerned tones. Remal managed to keep his tone even. "We have an operative to extract. Hold steady."

However, First Order modernity was winning out over droid starfighters' numbers, and soon there were fighters hammering the shields and torpedoes detonating on the Chimaera's hull. The Steadfast was turning towards the droid cruiser, slowly but surely.

Stele was ready to launch, but wasn't able to get out of the hangar without being shot up.

"Admiral, inventive tactic, please?" Remal said, lightly.

“Remal, pacify Quistis so I can figure this out,” Daala replied.

This whole conference turned into a giant cluster-kriff and it was getting worse. They needed skill and a healthy does of luck to out maneuver the First Order long enough to get everyone out.

”Droma, I want you to approach Graul again, and this time do it differently. Tell him I sent you to invite him for a drink on the Chimaera.” She was grasping, but Graul was going to die if he didn’t get the hell out. “If he says no, then you are to bring him here by any means necessary. Stand by for details on your transport.”

Stele being held up was complicating things… unless they could find a plan B.

”Remal, where is the Horn kid?” She asked. “We provided him cover, so maybe he could help us out by picking up Droma, Bwua’tu, and Graul?”

Droma took the orders.

Remal updated Natasi with the bad news. "The Skate jumped out, but it's a yacht, not sure how much help it can be. The Resistance also bugged out, their X-wings are gone."

The comms suddenly cut across with a voice, oozing with overconfidence. "Admiral Daala, did you need a hand?"

It was Kyp Durron.

If Daala had a list of top ten beings she would never want help from, Durron would be right there in the top five.

Not only was he a Jedi, he was the reckless criminal that had destroyed Carida, home of the Imperial military academy Natasi had attended.

It was an unforgivable act he had committed using an experimental craft stolen from her secret base.

It was a crime that should’ve meant the death penalty.

Sadly she was in a position that meant setting aside her list at the moment, and dealing with the bloody Jedi.

Fortunately she could match his arrogance in spades.

“I’m sure we could team up to solve an issue I’m currently dealing with,” Natasi said, coolly. “My agent on Nouane is with Nek Bwua’tu, he is unconscious and in need of immediate medical attention.” She paused briefly and considered mentioning anyone else.

“Bwua’tu isn’t the only politician left behind there in need of evac and we are pretty tied up on our end.”

“Good thing I have a StealthX, and one of the last with the necessary isotope to stay hidden. I can make a run at the Steadfast with my last shadow bomb, or head to the surface. Preferences, Admiral?”

Natasi’s eyes narrowed, thinking how she would love to slap the criminal Jedi.

”Since it would be next to impossible to fit my operative and Bwua’tu into your ridiculous X-wing, I guess a run on the Steadfast would be helpful, Durron.”

She called over to Remal, “if you happen to target a Jedi StealthX, after it takes the shot at the Steadfast, of course. I would support blasting that criminal into space dust.” That thought actually made her smile. “He claims to have one of the few remaining StealthX ships that can operate in stealth. It would be a win to eliminate that,” she mused.

“Have Stele be on standby to evacuate Droma and Bwua’tu once Durron has them distracted.”

Kyp clicked off to confirm in pilots parlance, flying off - and hurled that shadow Vong right into the Steadfast’s hangar. Some fighters were evident, ransomed into flotsam, and the fuel stored there ignited. But Kyp wouldn’t know the innards of the ship were hardened against a hangar assault.

Remal paused. “I believe he’s turning around to try another attack run.” A slight smile. “I do also believe he lied about the number of shadow bombs he has left. Want me to fire on his approximate location anyway?”

Daala grinned. This was a situation that she had dreamed of… Durron in her crosshairs and pulling the trigger.

”First see if he has another shadow bomb, I want him to do some serious damage to the Steadfast before we attack him.” She paced for a moment to think.

”Remal, once he fires, I want you to fire on him quickly and then we pretend he simply got in the way… why would we target a StealthX?” She shrugged and gave a sly laugh. “If we hit him then it’s justice for the Empire.”

A second shadow bomb was hurled out, impacted against the defences, and then the shields seemed to peel back -

“Fire!”

The Chimaera’s Turbolasers rang out, detonated on the Steadfast’s superstructure, and there was suddenly a flame in the sky - an X-wing trailing fire -

“You hit me, Natasi,” came an unhappy sounding Kyp Durron. His fighter was soaring into the heart of the TIE-droid fighter furball. “I thought we were beyond all this.”

Daala gave Remal a genuine smile and said, “thank you, Remal. That was definitely the highlight of my entire month.”

She turned to the com and keyed Durron, “this is Grand Admiral Daala.” Natasi indeed, she thought. That presumptuous schmuck dared to use her name in such a familiar manner.

”As a seasoned pilot, I’m sure you’re quite aware of the risk of friendly fire?” Daala asked innocently. “I’m happy for you to make an emergency landing aboard the Chimaera for repairs. We could accommodate you until your ship is safe for flight again.”

Turning to Remal she said, “tell me that Stele is launched and halfway to evacuating Bwua’tu, and should Durron take me up on landing on my ship… arrest him for crimes against the Empire.”

Remal nodded. “One missile boat is on its way.”

Meanwhile, Kyp vanished from sensors again. He had cut the line, and seemingly found the leak giving the flame tell. With that gone, he could fade into black.

Audibly swallowing, Remal spoke up. “Would Durron attack us in retaliation? A shadow bomb would be a problem.”

Her eyes squinted as she watched sensors and displays. Durron had lied to them about having only one shadow bomb left, could he have had three?

“You’re such a killjoy,” she grumbled at Remal. “If the Vong figured out how to foil them, surely we could manage one.”

Remal could fret over what that criminal Durron was doing, Daala was anxious to get Nek off Nouane so they could get the hell out of here.

News flowed in the confusion that followed. Droma had managed to get Nek to the missile boat, and Stele used all his piloting skills to get them into orbit.

Aryan Graul was nowhere to be seen, and Daala heard from her Meridian friends that Suarl Getelles had returned to Antemeridias, and three Imperial Star Destroyers had left the system, projected to be heading to Nouane -

“Ma’am?” Remal said, cautious. Would she stay and fight - and probably die?

They had three more Star Destroyers elsewhere - but Victory, Venator and Acclamator classes. Hardly a match for Imperial-class ships traditionally. But Daala wasn’t a traditional commander.

Kyp commed. “I’m out, Daala. You have Bwua’tu, and Horn has escaped too. See you after the war.” A flicker of hyperspace pseudomotion and he was gone, too.

Natasi was staring at the display but she didn’t see the current flurry of battling starfighters. Instead she was remembering the past.

Nek had been more than a friend once, and he was a good guy who didn’t deserve being abandoned by those he had arrived with. Daala respected him and would see he had medical care and then safe passage to any destination he wished.

She had seen the report that Aryan Graul had disappeared, which worried her since something had seemed off about his behavior. But her thoughts were interrupted by Remal’s question which was followed immediately by Durron’s com.

Shaking her head slightly she replied, “no, Remal. Get us the hell out of here… I don’t plan on dying today, and certainly not in this miserable place.”

Her eyes narrowed at the sound of the Jedi’s voice but she appreciated that he made it possible to save Nek. She quicked sent back, “you made it possible to retrieve Bwua’tu, and for that I sincerely thank you.”

Daala disconnected and started to leave the bridge saying, “Remal, “I’ll be in my office. Give me a heads up when Bwua’tu is in the medbay and able to have visitors.”

Tag: @Sinrebirth @HanSolo29

 

The following is a combo with Sinrebirth – thank you so much!

IC: Aryan Graul
Nouane

The evacuation of the planet’s surface was all but complete and in the aftermath, Aryan should’ve felt angry or desperate—anything to exemplify his disdain over being left behind, presumably to die. Instead, he was surprisingly calm, perhaps even at peace with his situation. While his heart still ached with resentment—he would be lying if he denied it, something about this planet kept his negative emotions at bay, preventing them from rising to the surface. It was such an odd shift in mood and tone. He remembered how the Darkness had pervaded his senses when they had first approached the surface…

But now?

Nouane felt safe, almost as if he had been here before. In a sense, it reminded him of… home. He knew that was absurd. And yet, it would explain his contentment in merely sitting on a discarded supply container and marveling at the occasional flare of starfighter engines as they streaked across the night sky.

He thought he only needed to rest his legs before attempting the long trek to the secondary hangar on the opposite side of the compound, but he was no longer convinced of that path. The sudden epiphany—or was it a spiritual manifestation of the Force?—changed everything. He could stay here for as long as it took to find clarity.

Surely, it wasn’t the result of his psychosis; it was too vivid for that. He would’ve recognized the difference…

… right?

The place called to him, speaking of a time when he had been here before. He had been here before after all, but this was deeper than even that. Flashes of time during his so-called lost years, between the care of Palpatine's cronies and then of course Chandrila and later Jedi Master Cilghal.

The wanderings gave him a vision.

A man in a Black Coat, speaking to a group of four students in this very building. Three humans, two male, one female, and then a nonhuman, a Chistori... no, wait, five students, for a Defel was barely visible... one of the humans, he resonated with him...

A revealing of the Chistori with a blade of white -

The woman divided in two between a red and blue blade -

The Defel was bequeathed a Coat of his own, and the Black Coat's golden-and-silver lightsaber, as well as... a Box?

One man leaving and handing lightsabers to youngsters in the backalleys of Nouane -

His doppelganger, with a wife, a career, a child on the way -

The Black Coat faded away, shortly after handing Holocrons of differing shapes to his pupils -

A woman with glittering teeth - a Griffin and Bat, immense, wrestling with her, and a volcano eruption in the middle of the City, sweeping up the bodies of them, some becoming encased in gold, some burning away, cracking the world -

Then a reset, from a grey-bearded man with angel wings, who swept a hand and moved aside the broken Nouane and replaced it with a new one, sans the students of the Black Coat -

His ancestor's wife, alone, approached by the self-same Black Coat who started this all -

The names and faces changed, with another set of students appearing, younger, mostly human again, but one had been replaced by another, murdered, they fled, scattering inside small pyramidal ships across space and time -

The Defel wandered, taking the face of a student, and then, later, the face of a man with an eyepatch, scars, and a horrible sneer -

The Black Coat appeared on Nouane again, placing a mask upon his face and pulling back the cloak to reveal a kindly librarian, no, a Chiss, no, his black void again, teaching new sets of individuals. Infamous politicians whom Aryan Graul would recognise from his teachings at school -

There was the Hapan Princess, a Valorum, his own father, a Tarkin, and then, a young teen with red hair that was undoubtedly Palpatine -

The Black Coat passing his lightsaber to Palpatine and sending away four golden statues to various politicians and power brokers as a path for Palpatine to follow -

Violence, Jedi, blades of red and green and blue as the students were evacuated and cut down, one of them, a Zabrak, falling to the dark side and dying -

Young Palpatine standing beside his elder self with boring White Eyes, a brief meeting across space and time that foretold a true threat -

An older Palpatine stalking the libraries, caressing the books and opening one, smiling, looking back up almost at Aryan -

The book was called Soul and Flesh; which came first?

In Palpatine's golden eyes, he saw a flash of the future, of Force-sensitive children being held hostage in a grey room, of genderless clones in green tanks, of the mutilated form that he would recognise as Snoke, the dead leader of the First Order -

So much had happened here.

Started here.

He was walking through the past.

And his present.

And the future -

The stars of Nouane above revealed incoming -

Imperial Star Destroyers, from the Antemeridian Sector -

Mon Calamari Star Cruisers, from the Resistance -

The Battle of Nouane would end, and then flare brighter than ever -

There was a whisper of a ship.

It spoke of the dark side, and the little, irritating, speck in the Force that was Hux.

He wasn't alone.

Indeed, he still had a chance to escape.

A sharp gasp escaped Aryan’s throat as the images flashed brightly and filled his mind’s eye with a brilliant white expanse before vanishing. In the aftermath, the details of the hangar slowly reemerged from the void, but it was as if he had never noticed the transition. He stood with his elbow hooked on a supply crate for balance, staring ahead in a fugue-like state.

It was hard to articulate the details of what he had experienced; it had been so vivid, so… visceral. He was certain he had been here before, having directly lived through and influenced the outcome of the events he had witnessed…

… but how was that possible? It was such a ridiculous theory. No wonder certain entities continued to question his mental capacity.

And yet, his cynical outlook did not diminish his desire to uncover the truth. He wanted to know more about the individuals in his vision; who they were and why they resonated with his soul. In a sense, it was like uncovering a latent memory buried deep within his subconscious. It served as a gateway to the past, the present…

… and the future?

He had seen several Imperial Star Destroyers…

Mon Cal Star Cruisers…

And Nouane erupting into white flame.

Had that been… The End?

Aryan jolted out of his reverie, suddenly alert and panting heavily to counteract his racing heart. He finally understood; it made sense. Nouane was in imminent danger and may not survive the atmospheric battle. If he did not arrange for his immediate extraction, there was a good chance he would become a permanent fixture of this planet’s mysterious legacy.

Closing his eyes, he concentrated on the Force and detected a slight tremor… a whisper of a ship pushing into the system. It was distinctly dark, cast in shadow—but there was a peculiar presence, one he instantly recognized as Hux. Maintaining his focus, he found it was possible to track the man’s progress to the far side of the facility, to an auxiliary hangar. With some amusement, he realized it was the same hangar he had originally intended to retreat to; that was no coincidence. He was on the correct path.

Pushing ahead, Aryan began to weave through the debris toward his destination.

The vision had taken him most of the way, walking him to the hangar.

But the potential he had was continuing to assail him.

He stood beside a throne -

Upon a throne -

He was accepting guests within his Estate on Nubia-

A flash - it could be back or forward - to a grime-covered Coruscant, with his daughter and son beside him -

Kylo Ren looking at him, through him -

Hux impaling himself on a blade -

Palpatine with White Eyes -

Then the moment was over.

He was standing before a ship.

A dungeon ship, that he knew, belonged to the Knights of Ren.

The vision continued to inundate his senses, assault his mind, and muddle his thoughts. He saw people and places he recognized; some he loved and others who terrified him. One in particular, the ravaged visage of Emperor Palpatine with white, soulless eyes, conjured nightmares of a traumatic past he’d rather not revisit in this lifetime.

However, despite the clarity of the mental images, he still couldn’t discern whether they were merely memories… or a glimpse into the future.

And while it sounded absurd, was it possible for alternative realities to exist?

Aryan was so absorbed in his thoughts that he did not realize he had reached his intended destination until he saw the dungeon ship looming above him like a menacing shadow. The landing ramp lay open, leading into the vessel’s cavernous maw. There was no sign of Hux, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t there. His presence mired the Force in a slimy, fetid darkness. It was enough to turn his stomach, especially when compounded by the Knights of Ren, who used this ship as their personal transport.

Every instinct urged him to retreat from this blight in the Force, but he also recognized his limitations. This vessel may serve as his last chance to flee off-world. The vision had been bullish about some kind of void… or explosion consuming the planet. He did not want to stick around for a definitive answer.

Unfortunately, that left him with no other choice.

Scratching idly at his beard, Aryan inhaled deeply and tentatively strode up the landing ramp.

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

War & Peace

IC: General Hux
First Order hangar - Nouane

When he saw Aryan Graul approaching with a datapad in hand, he knew very well that he was borked. Keeping the stress out of his face, he promptly indicated the man, and spoke up to the Knights of Ren and Pryde.

“We need to take this man with us. He is my mole within the Resistance, a political prisoner taken by them, and key to the pacification of the Corellian Sector.”

Vicrul Ren looked at Aryan, shrugged, ignored whatever Pryde had to say, and took him aboard. In short order their dungeon ship was in orbit, and advancing towards the Steadfast.

Aryan’s departure changed the entire dimensions of the fight. It was the last lingering aspect.

The First Order Star Destroyer had taken damage but not been crippled, and the X-wings of the Resistance and Jedi aboard the Pulsar Skate had left. But without a reason to stay, the Steadfast fled for the nearest First Order system; one which had been, mere weeks earlier, about to be overrun by the rebels.

The Separatists took their ship home, and the Corporate Systems withdrew their dreadnought. Mon Calamari Star Cruisers arrived at Nouane, and whether they found Daala or not, Droma had taken Nek out-system and updated Daala that her staying had allowed him to do so - but Aryan had gone with the First Order in the confusion.

The Pulsar Skate headed to Bastion and dropped off Sam Hhat and Miat Temm, the latter still needing medical attention. The Jedi had no desire to place themselves in Imperial hands, and promptly left. Whatever unity the Nouane Accords had promised had simply not materialised.

The war begun anew, the New Republic resumed the advance on the Corellian Run. Pushing up, they found many of the worlds they had targeted swept up with minimal issue. Right until they reached Denon.

There, all the missing ships from the Run, and ample more defences and mines, had been placed. The Republic forces were routed.

The same thing happened on the other hyperlanes too. At Yag’Dhul, at the Ison Corridor, at Eriadu, at Celanon. First Order systems had been abandoned so as to reinforce a new line. Republic casualties were huge. The unified galactic front collapsed.

First Order blockades promptly severed access to the Colonies, and raids into the Mid Rim were regularly made for new recruits and supplies. The Nouane Accords had been a trick; a chance for the Supreme Leader to reorganise their frontline, and to take more direct control of his military after the deaths of Captains Phasma and Cardinal, as well as Baron Vonreg.

The news hit the Imperial Head of States office; Jagged Fel and Vitor Reige called Sam Hhat to the Pellaeon Gardens to discuss their failure. Miat Temm was expected to be present, which would have been the first time they had seen each other since the Battle of Nouane. Responsibility seemed to be the topic of discussion…

The news hit Pedducis Chorios; Droma and Remal delivered it to Daala in person aboard the Chimaera, which was in drydock undergoing repairs. Quistis hadn’t been in touch, not yet, but Remal had been assured that he would. This was the first debriefing Nek would be able to attend - he’d been with medics since then.

The news reached the Supreme Council, of course, who would revel in the brilliance of their Supreme Leader. Pryde was called to brief his Emperor in a quiet space aboard the Steadfast, about how the Nouane Accords had ended the retreat of the First Order. Was the Emperor displeased? Who knew.

Hux, who had spent the intervening time researching his pet project and putting off debriefing Aryan Graul, who was ostensibly a guest, arranged a meeting at long last aboard the self-same Steadfast, which was being repaired at Corellia, the shipyards long having been committed to the First Order cause - since the collapse of the Galactic Alliance and the cessation of reparations.

Hux had arranged this meeting because he knew exactly how to handle Aryan Graul. He had read his medical records from Chandrila, and he could make use of the exact same drug that the medics had used to control the man there…

It was already sitting on the table, the distinct smell of the drug wafting into the room. Hux smiled, politely.

TAG: @CosmoHender (combo x2), @HanSolo29 (combo), @Lady_Belligerent (combo)

Finale combos!

The future has been set by this.

Connective tissue will emerge in other games (if not already), and a new game will address the failures and successes in the near-distant future…

Special thanks to @darthbernael and @Adalia-Durron, who were waylaid by the events of Nouane and escaped to fight another day - in theory…

 

OOC: this combo post is a collaboration between myself as Daala, and the ever fun Sinrebirth as the rest. Thank you! I

IC: Daala, Remal. Droma
Chimaera

Daala was most concerned with getting the Chimaera repaired, and had been in talks about any modifications that should be done while they were out of commission. The downtime was being used for training and housekeeping, but she still kept an eye on what was happening elsewhere. Daala wasn’t looking forward to rushing back into another war, but it was inevitable.

She had been spending a few minutes daily sitting with Nek, who was slowly recovering. They had not spoken about how he was injured, and why he had been left behind by his team. Daala would’ve had those responsible brought up on charges, but Nek had not asked for her opinion.

“We are on schedule for repairs to be complete,” Daala said to Remal and Droma. “I assume you two have opinions on our next destination?”

"Bunkering down and waiting out this madness?" Droma opined.

"I actually agree with Droma. We can punch above our weight, but Kylo Ren just changed the entire strategic dynamic of the war and shredded the Resistance frontline. So I'd be inclined to sit and watch and wait," Remal agreed.

"I disagree."

Nek wheeled in, hoverchair keeping him upright.

"We should contribute, find a weak-point in the Inner Rim blockade, and exploit it with Leia."

Daala looked from Bwua’tu to Droma and Remal.

”I disagree with you,” she said to her former paramour. “I might have considered your suggestion until you mentioned Leia.”

It was blunt, but she was speaking the truth. To suggest Daala work with Leia was insulting.

Bwua’tu glowered back, not one to back down in a fight even with her. “Do you think you can win this without Leia’s help?”

Her expression hardened. “I guess I don’t think as highly of her as you do,” Daala fired back, “and I will remind you that this is my fleet.”

Bwua'tu shrugged. "My Intelligence suggests Leia has multiple Mon Calamari Star Cruisers, some of the most modern out there." He brushed invisible lint off his knees. "But it's up to you. I'm merely an honoured guest."

Remal and Droma stayed, wisely perhaps, silent.

Bwua'tu shrugged. "My Intelligence suggests Leia has multiple Mon Calamari Star Cruisers, some of the most modern out there." He brushed invisible lint off his knees. "But it's up to you. I'm merely an honoured guest."

Remal and Droma stayed, wisely perhaps, silent.

”You’ll have to do better than that, Nek,” she sighed. “Leia and I don’t exactly see eye to eye, and beyond that I’m not impressed by a handful of ships.”

It was true. Daala didn’t see a reason to align with Leia based on what Nek had said so far. None of it was worth risking her resources.

Nek smiled wolvishly. “Truth, but one cannot fault me for trying.”

Remal cleared his throat. “Will you be staying us for long after your recovery?”

“I will be needing to get back,” he said, carefully. “A Bothan Assault Cruiser is home, after all.”

Droma paused. “Shall I head back and act as a liaison with the Bothan clans? Mutual aid and all that?”

Daala shook her head at Droma.

”You caved too easily, Bwua’tu,” she said, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. “That tells me that I’m correct. Unless you know more than you’re sharing?” Daala felt like he was holding out something vital.

"I know that Leia has a plan. That she's connecting the dots between the various and isolated remains of the New Republic, and even if the First Order defeats them, and re-establishes control, the true strength of the galaxy has yet to emerge. When it does, it will smash the First Order, and this'll be over, oh, in less than a year?" Bwua'tu shrugged. "The First Order isn't nearly as strong as the Yuuzhan Vong, and the New Republic is stronger than it was when it fought then. It'll be over soon, and knowing the Sith, they'll push to hard and everything will come together because of them."

His eyes glazed over in thought. "I imagine 14,000 ships will coalesce and smash the primary First Order fleet, once and for all. You just need to be ready to assist, or secure your sector. Either works. I conceded because if I can't have the former, I know I'll have the latter." A smile. "No?"

“What makes you so sure Leia would agree to work with us?” Daala asked. “That is, IF I would agree to it.”

"She might not, but would you rather she consider you a First Order ally when the days comes she wins the war?" Nek shrugged.

Natasi shook her head and asked, “you suggest an alliance with me before even discussing it with Princess Leia?”

Nek was frustrating her, he knew she would only want facts. No might, or might nots.

"I've been in your medbay," Nek pointed out. "But Leia see's realities much the way I do. I have no doubt she'll work with you."

Remal and Droma absently shook their head. The Ryn spoke up. "All those in favour of me wheeling Nek out of the room?"

"Or do we need to give you and he some privacy, Admiral?" Remal said, not quite smiling.

”Enough!” Daala snapped, glaring at Remal and Droma. Later they would discuss the basics of respect, but not in the presence of Nek.

”I’m done with the verbal gymnastics, Nek. I want the bottom line. What will working with Leia cost me?”

"Nothing," Nek said, frowning. "Just be there, when the call goes out, join the fleet, like the Mon Calamari, Hynestians and everyone else, this great Civilians Fleet, and end the war at the moment Leia says."

”If it is understood that the Maw Irregular Fleet is under my command, and only my command. I want it made clear that we are independent agents,” Daala said, staring down Nek.

"Always, my dear," Nek said, genuinely warmly, and reached over to pat her lower arm. "But when the First Order falls, we can call this the year of hell, and move on with our respective private lives."

Daala looked up from her datapad where she had already been making notes for the formal agreement, she’d just added a stipulation that they replace any of her ships lost or damaged, Leia wasn’t going to mooch off of her fleet.

Nek’s comment had stopped her in her tracks, but she had managed to avoid blushing.

She cleared her throat, and glanced down at his hand, “yes, that would be ideal.”

Tag; @Sinrebirth