Star Wars CLOSED Star Wars: Episode V: Twilight of the Force II: A Father’s Fate

OOC: A combo with @Sinrebirth

IC: Qwi Xux, Beaumont Kin, Orielle
Location: Kesh

Time passed.

Qwi made sure to tend to Beaumont as best she could, although the barn was definatly starting to get on her nerves, especially the smell.

What I wouldn't give for a good bath or shower right now.

Of course Beaumont couldn't move because of his injuries and her and Orielle had had a discussion about it. He did seem stable but there was always a nagging feeling that he was internally injured too.

Beaumont it seemed had regained his voice and had enjoyed a chat with Orielle about her family history. How a Jedi had essentially survived on a world full of Sith. And she had too.

A useful ally.

Now by the fire, sitting next to Beaumont and holding his hand she was asked about what they were going to do next.

"We haven't really had time to think about it really, what with everything happening after we lost the yacht and were split up" a pang in her heart for the lost Firenze.

"I know we cannot stay here, it would put you in danger. But we cannot move until at least Beaumont can walk again. We need to make sure we can stay away from the Sith as much as possible".

Qwi indicated "As you can see, i'm not from around here. I need to be hidden. Beaumont here has suffered enough. We would like to leave Kesh if we could but if not a good hidey hole would be a good place to start".

Orielle nodded slowly. “Yes, you being blue on a planet of purples is a bit of a give away, though the coat of yours seems to be pretty good at hiding you. It took me a while to grab you as you fell...”

“It’s special,” Beaumont said. “It protects you from the Force, namely the dark side.”

“I see...” Orielle trailed off. “Would you consider joining the Keshiri Resistance?”

Qwi was confused.

"I'm pretty sure I gave you Rax's cape before we boarded Firenze. Remember? I had to put it on you to shield you. And I don't remember switching capes back. So i'm pretty sure that cape is now with the Sith"

She looked at Orielle quizzically "You have a resistance? From what I have seen people are pretty much happy with Sith rule. Even worship them".

"No," Beaumont said, also confused. "I draped us both in it and then sent you flying in it?" His memory wasn't stunning, but it was there.

Orielle waved a hand, trying to reassure Beaumont. "Don't worry about it." She looked to Qwi. "This continent has been under Sith control for the whole five millennia... but the mainland, Keshtah Major - Alanciar - it spent two thousand years preparing for war with the Tribe, and though it was eventually subsumed, there has been a simmering discontent with the rule from here - it's been very slow coming, because the Tribe allowed Keshiri into it, but it's there. Probably needs a spark or two, is all."

Qwi thought about it. So it seemed there was trouble in the Sith paradise, and to start their downfall all they needed was a spark…

But Beaumont and her had just come from another war, did they want to get involved in another?

Qwi looked to Beaumont "Well you said you thought we needed to do something about the Sith when we were at that camp. I guess here is the chance" she squeezed his hand.

She looked back at Orielle "We have just come from a war, another one is about to start. We tried to get away but I guess we will always end up in wars, never finding peace" her expression turned sad.

"Beaumont has been hurt badly, I don't ever want to see that again. But I guess we cannot sit and do nothing…"

Qwi looked to Beaumont "What do you think?"

Beaumont thought about it, and his gaze became glassy before he refocused. "I want to investigate the idea, but I'm not committing to a cause in this state. Especially as we've both nearly been killed almost every day since we made planetfall."

Orielle lit up a little. "All I can ask for is your consideration. Even the news of the outside galaxy would be uplifting... unless of course the Sith have actually seized control of the galaxy since my Jedi descendant came here...?"

She hesitated. "Please tell me that isn't the case."

Qwi wondered if Beaumont had tuned out totally or was maybe feeling exhausted but was glad when he spoke up. She did consider sending a thought his way.

"I agree completley with Beaumont" she said after thinking for a few moments, perhaps it was better to have a chat in private or the safe space "We will definatly consider it, thank you for asking".

She racked her brains trying to think back on the state of the galaxy.

"Beaumont here is a historian, he knows a lot more than I do" she shot him a smile "But sadly the Sith have taken control more than once. Currently the galaxy is being plagued by a Sith Lord named Darth Zorn".

"The New Republic, the current goverment were sending a battle group to deal with him, and politicians aligned with Zorn tried to stage a coup. Unfortunatly we don't know what's happening at the moment as we have literally been cut off from the galaxy".

"There may be another war coming. Aliens calling themselves the Yuuzhan Vong have started to infiltrate the galaxy. They want to conquer it and basically their mantra is that we are all infidels".

Orielle blinked a few times. “So the Sith returned again? How long were they ruling for? Did the Jedi fight them off? My ancestor said that the Sith were recreated within the Jedi Order twice in his lifetime.”

Beaumont cleared his throat. “The Sith were defeated a millennium ago at the Battle of Ruusan. Twenty thousand Sith were killed and the Jedi and the Republic thought them gone. But one Dark Lord survived, and re-founded the Rule of Two, which allowed the Sith to rebuild and grow stronger with each generation.”

He swallowed, and explained how Palpatine worked his way into the the Chancellorship, how the Chosen One killed him, but not before the apprentice took control and declared an Empire thirty-three years ago - and then split the galaxy into a Galactic Cold War for nineteen years, which was overturned and the New Republic and the New Jedi Order rose up in the meantime - only to discover that Darth Zorn had been amassing a new Sith fleet and that a species of invaders had started to infiltrate the galaxy at large in the midst of a coup. He overlapped with Qwi at the end, but he was a historian after all.

Orielle absorbed it all with some nods and a question about the Rule of Two, because the Tribe had never ascribed to that, and eventually released a breath. “So things did get better for quite a while but not lately... so it’s what my ancestor realised - the Tribe escaping Kesh now would be devastating on the galaxy.” She nodded. “He decided it was safer to cut Kesh off from the galaxy again rather than risk anyone escaping - not until the Jedi and Republic were ready to confront the Tribe.”

“Which doesn’t sound all that likely to happen anytime soon,” she was a bit glum.

Qwi let Beaumont explain and was ready in case Beaumont felt tired. She held his hand throughout providing warmth and support. He was in his element with topics like this.

"Sadly I agree" Qwi said "But they may get knocked down but they will get up again. The Jedi and the New Republic won't just lie down. It may take time but with Feyna Organa the current Chancellor at the helm, they will fight back".

"I mean I lost faith with the New Republic but that does not mean I want to see another tyrannical regime rise up. I was once part of ghe Empire and I've seen what that regime does. And I don't wish that on the galaxy".

"The problem is these Yuuzhan Vong, they could sweep across the galaxy whilst everyone is distracted. They may even come here."

"What we hoped to do was leave here and warn the Republic about this Lost Tribe" she shrugged "But I guess all that you can do is maybe cause problems for these Sith and hopefully stop them from escaping".

Orielle joked slightly. "Unless we get the Sith to fight these Yuuzhan Vong, of course."

Beaumont's eyes glazed over again. "I mean we could try that, but we'd need to take control of the Tribe, or be able to manipulate them in some way, and then wait for the Vong to get here." His breath was becoming more shallow, and Orielle looked at Qwi subtly.

"You can't stay here forever, though," Orielle produced an envelope of Uvak hide. "I have put a recommendation in here, with my seal... if you make it to Alanciar, which you'd have to do by boat... then the Resistance will take you in. They know about me... my brother is over there building things up."

She hesitated. "It may be safer for you there, than here, too."

What was Beaumont doing? His eyes were now consistently glazing over as if he was somewhere else. And all throughout their chat he had not squeezed Qwi's hand once.

And what he considering sounded totally bonkers.

She slipped an arm around Beaumont and thought at him through the bond you need to rest.

She took the recommendation and slipped it into one of the pockets of her jumpsuit "Thank you, for all of your help. You have saved us both, and for that we are grateful. I could'nt imagine my life without Beaumont, and you have given us both a chance to survive".

"It may be safe there, however with Beaumont as he is he cannot move on his own. Is there any way we can get to a boat?"

Orielle paused. "I can't lend you an Uvak, as only Sith can use these... but I have a cart, and a beast-of-burden that can pull it?"

Beaumont flopped, and began to sleep. He was exhausted, cut up, scarred, bruised, battered. Orielle leapt up and checked his pulse, and helped him lay. "He's fine." She looked abashed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to jump in."

"And you're welcome; you've brought with you something we didn't have before."

The woman smiled.

"Hope."

Beaumont had exhausted himself and had dropped off. Qwi felt nothing untoward through the bond nor any warning from the Force so she assumed everything was fine.

Orielle looked embarrassed about suddenly jumping to Beaumont's aid but Qwi saw nothing wrong with that, unless she started making any moves towards him

Don't think about that.

Qwi nodded releasing her arm from around Beaumont "That sounds like a good idea with a cart. Beaumont can lie there whilst I hide within my cloak. I have played a servant very well so far"

"And in regards to hope...maybe we have. I cannot tell whether it will be enough of course. But maybe perhaps there is a chance to break the grip the Sith have on this world".

"Perhaps the news that there is a galaxy out there will finally give the people what they need. Freedom".

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

OOC: Combos--the first is with Jerjerrod-Lennox and Sinre, the second, with the GM only

IC: Chancellor Feyna Organa, Han Solo, Prince Isolder, and Winter
New Alderaan

She couldn't even get married without some sort of problem rearing its head.

Despite Feyna's hopes to avoid news of Skelm for the next few days, Winter regretfully gave her an update on his recent address, as well as the sit-rep on Kuat, Naboo, and now Nubia--Aryan, it appeared, took offense to his former homeworld's continued loyalty to the New Republic. To make it worse, Nola and Del had apparently headed back to Nubia, and could not be contacted.

There was good news though: the Remnant had heard enough to convince them to resume relations with the New Republic, and to oppose Skelm's Eternal Empire.

Isolder spoke to her via comlink--audio only; Tycho and Winter were still keeping the bride and groom from seeing each other--lamenting that there might not be anything they could do about Nubia, and also alerting her that their guests were arriving--and Han had brought Ben.

"Send Han inside with Ben," she replied.

Se kept talking to Isolder while she waited for Han. "We can't let Skelm take Nubia; it's too close to Corellia; I know we're moving the capital to Riosa, but much of the Senate is still there, and all the refugees..." Not to mention, Corellia marked the junction of two major hyperspace lanes, where the Corellian Trade Spine joined to the Run.

"The Remnant is asking if there's anything they can help us with, but I think they're too far to do much good at Nubia..." They might be close enough to look into the Naboo situation, though.

Han had let out a relieved breath. They had made it in time it seemed, and Slave 1 had made it too. Everyone was here for the big occasion.

Of course he had heard Skelm's speech. Just like Zorn he mused thinking they are the big I am. But the bigger they are the harder they fall.

He has a bigger ego than I do.

Of course he was going to keep his promise and not talk about Skelm at all to Feyna, not on her wedding day. He would get a chance to hopefully talk to Madelyn later but right now it was time to show Feyna the newest addition to the Solo clan.

He stepped down the open ramp and spotted Isolder and he looked at Xav and Lumpy "I'm gonna go and see Feyna, this might be the only chance to see Ben before it all happens. You can come if you want, or you can stay until the weddin goes ahead"

He tickled Ben on the chin "You are gonna be one popular fella"

He saw Isolder was busy on the comm so he decided to wait until he was done to ask where Feyna was.

Isolder placed a hand over the comm. "Feyna is inside the building, she asked you to come in with Ben."

Xaverri looked at Han. "I am going to meet the Chancellor?" Lumpy rumbled his doubt that she asked for them.

"Um, if Han can go with Ben to start...? You can follow...?" He went back to the comlink, turning aside; they had a lot to deal with. "The Remnant is far north, way too distant from any of these flashpoints, but I don't know how soon they'll arrive to help. We could stage with what we have left at Corellia and then ask the Remnant to send ships to reinforce Riosa, Kuat and Corellia? Might be safer and quicker." He cycled. "We have an MC90 Star Cruiser, two Hapan Battle Dragons and three Nova-class cruisers to hand, besides the Corellian defenders."

It wasn't alot, but it may give the Bakuran ships pause. The Corellians of course had the trio of Star Defenders and Sal-Solo's Dreadnaughts, while more than a hundred Hapan and New Republic ships were in the shipyards there. Corellia would be safe for the moment.

Winter was tuned in, and confirmed she could give the order with a thumbs-up.

Isolder confirmed, the Remnant was too distant to help with the most pressing issues, but they could still help to shore up the defenses at Kuat, Riosa, and Corellia, while the Republic sent what it could to Nubia.

Feyna nodded to Winter to send the orders, while she typed up a brief message to Saretti detailing the plan. "We'll do that, then. Is there anything else we can do for now?"

She looked to Winter. "Will you go retrieve Han, when you've done that?" Isolder might not know exactly where to send him.

It seemed poor Feyna had a lot of work to do even on her wedding day. Skelm had thrown a spanner in the works due to his speech.

He turned to Xav "His Higness is right, i'll take Ben in alone to see her first then i'll see if she has time to see you before the main event. Judging by the sound of what's goin on I think i'm quite lucky to even get squeezed in".

And from the sounds of things it seemed like his home planet was getting involved too.

"Stay here, i'll comm you if you can come in" he said to Xav and Lumpy before making his way towards the building, little Ben still cradled gently in his arms.

Winter shook her head. "Not at all. Our armed forces are at stretching point. We're lucky you blew up Lecersen aboard the Death Star prototype - we might not have held onto the Remnant otherwise." She reached for the comlink to take it back from Feyna. "Come on."

Her voice was gentle and soft. "I'll keep an eye on things."

Isolder directed them onwards as he signed off, and he was about to follow when Tycho moved him away. "Nope." He frogmarched him towards Madelyn and Tor and Mirdala -

- Han and Ben were at the door to Feyna's room in short order...

Feyna nodded and surrendered her comlink over to Winter. Hopefully, at least for the next hour or so, there'd be nothing else.

Any way, Han was outside with Ben. "Come in," she called to him.

Han entered with a smile "Hey kid. See, told ya i'd make it, even while making a stop on the way" he winked at her.

"Now I thought I would bring you a little nice surprise for your weddin day, meet the newest addition to the Solo clan. I mean who'd have thought it, me a daddy" he chuckled.

He turned so he could show her Ben "Feyna Organa, meet Ben Luke Solo. Ben, this is your Auntie Feyna, she's a very important person and hopefully she'll be part of your family"

He offered him to Feyna "Would you like to hold him?"

Feyna smiled at the boy; he was probably only a few months old, but his eyes were wide and alert.

She nodded when Han offered to let her hold him, carefully taking Ben into her arms. It had been a while since she'd been around a child this small. "Hi, Ben," she said to him, gently running her fingers over his soft fuzz of hair.

Han had given Ben his surname, and 'Luke' for his middle name. For the most part, Feyna didn't think others would ever suspect there was anything particularly special about the boy--though Force-sensitives might notice. Feyna didn't know who Ben's mother had been, but his father and grandfather had been two of the most powerful Force-users the galaxy had ever seen. And chances were, Ben was Force-sensitive as well. It was up to Han as to whether he would seek training for Ben.

And there was the question of how much Ben was told, about his heritage. "What will you tell him, when he's older?"

Han had to think about that one hard.

"Well it's a double edged sword I guess. I lie to him, tell him his dad was a good man and then he finds out about his true nature, he'll resent me. Same as if I told him the truth, especially since his middle name is after his dad".

"The truth I guess is better. I'll tell him about Anakin too. Whether he'll hate his family I don't know. But he'll have a stable new family, me, Xav, you, Lumpy, maybe Madelyn too. Hopefully that will dull the pain. And the fact Luke was good before he turned into a Sith"

"All I will do is do the best I can to look after him. Maybe he'll become a Jedi, maybe he'll become a smuggler, who knows. All I do know is he is my responsibility now".

Feyna was thoughtful. "I agree, it'll be better if he hears everything from you--Winter and I can help with questions about Luke before, and the others, if you need us to. But you've got time to figure it, it'll be some years before he's old enough.

"The best you can do is love him and keep him safe."

Han smiled "Oh we'll love him to bits alright, he's got a Wookiee for an Uncle too so he'll be as safe as he can be" he smiled down at Ben, he seemed to have taken to Feyna.

"So, are ya ready for your weddin?"

Feyna shifted Ben, jiggling one of his tiny hands with her finger. She bit her lip at the question.

"Yes--but with everything that's gone wrong the past few days, I can't help worrying that something is going to happen."

"Hey no talkin about Skelm, we promised, remember?"

Han smiled "Hey, nothin' is going to go wrong. Not a lot of people know you are here, right? So hopefully no one will try anythin until afterwards. And even if they do we have Jedi, Mandalorians, a New Republic officer, a Wookiee plus I think you and His Highness are probably good with a blaster. Oh and me of course" he winked.

"Maybe you should looks forwards, not backwards. Enjoy the quiet while it lasts. Because believe you and me it's gonna get hectic again".

He pointed at Ben "And this little guy deserves to see a bright future".

“I can only hope...that you can steal the same moments away from politics that I did -"

Feyna managed another smile, nodding again at Han. "You're right," she said. She went to hand Ben back to him--she half-expected Winter to come and chase Han out any second, so she could finish getting ready.

Han took Ben gently back from Feyna and smiled "He likes you already".

"Anyways, I better let you get ready, my partner Xav would like to meet you. Hopefully after the weddin'. I think she's excited to finally see the Chancellor. Better make sure this little guy is settled down before the main event".

He turned towards the door then looked back "Oh and if you still want me to walk you down the aisle let me know. Will need to get myself spruced up".

"I'll send for you again when I'm ready," Feyna told him.

Han's smile grew wider "Then I had better make myself presentable since a Princess is about to marry a Prince".

"Come on then little guy, better let Auntie Feyna get ready eh?"

He walked out the door with a smile as he looked behind him "See you in a bit kid".

TAG: @Sinrebirth @Jerjerrod-Lennox

IC: Del and Senator Nola Deidder
Arriving at Nubia

Nola scrambled to take the helm, while Del went to fix whatever had been hit--she had not been expecting to drop out of hyperspace into literally the middle of a battle!

A trio of Bakura-class Destroyers were visible, answering the unspoken question as to to who was behind the assault--Skelm had decided to attack his own home planet. Yeah, that's going to make them want to join you. Really smart, Graul.

Someone in Eternal Command was contacting them--threatening, more like.

"They're going to try to board us," Nola called back to Del. She hesitated to respond to Ossilege; revealing that she was Nubia's Senator might not be wise. "I'm guessing with whatever damage we've taken, we're not going to be jumping out of here?"

Del shouted back. "We should be okay, but we can't afford to take another hit -"

There was a shudder as an X-wing managed a quad burst on them almost by accident at it chased a TIE Interceptor, and the Golan III released a spread of torpedoes to scatter the Bakuran fighters -

"That was the hit!" Del howled.

"Senator Deidder? Is that you?" There was a voice coming from the beleaguered battle station - static filled, fighting jamming. "If you need somewhere to dock, I can clear you a path -"

A barrage of turbolaser fire slammed into the Bakura-class Destroyer nearest to them, and it had to retreat out of range for a moment. On the other flanks, the other two warships pounced, burying the station in a storm of fire, but it's shields held!

Nola adjusted their own shields and sped up; she'd like to make it to the planet, but with the damage...

"To whom am I speaking?" she asked, not sure if the station could still hear her.

"Captain Bulba," came the voice, and more static. "My brother is Tul Bulba? The Twi'lek who owns the Dark Side of the Planet?" It was an odd thing to reference; the most expensive and affluent bar in Nuba City, but it was famous.

An A-wing interceptor began to head towards them, tucking behind so the Golan couldn't interfere - it began to fire, twin-lasers stitching a trail of death that missed-

"Thank you, Captain." Seeing bolts flying overhead, from behind her, Nola checked her sensors and did her best to evade the attacker, looking to see if she could somehow lead it into enemy fire.

"I've an enemy fighter on my six, our ship cannot jump, and my copilot is tending to damage. We need somewhere to dock, or an escort to the surface."

"I don't have any spare fighters, Madam Senator," he said. "And Planetary Control is not lowering the shields for fear of the enemy exploiting a hole." There was another shudder, and then an alarm - a missile lock!

Nola scowled. Not good. An enemy missile was locked on now. And short of docking with the Golan station (which she didn't want to do with a missile trailing her), she didn't have anywhere to go.

She went back to her controls--maybe she could throw off the missile with some chaff...

Chaff was available, and the missile exploded into it. Del had managed to get to the cockpit, face covered in solvent, pulling gloves off. He sat down at one of the seats, and began firing back - the ship was a two-pilot one, and it wasn't really possible to fire and fly and defend and comm -

He stitched apart the A-wing, and then shut the channel.

"What do you want to do? I have the hyperdrive back up and running, and shields are feeding from life support for the moment - not much point breathing if we're atoms, after all." He shrugged. It was a common solution, to switch off oxygen recyclers and all spare functions when imperilled - most ships would have more than enough air in the system already to allow for them to survive for more than an hour, at which point they should be out of danger.

Or dead.

"You're the Senator, I'm just the over-muscled bodyguard."

Nola's frown deepened; she didn't like just running away from the situation, she wanted to help, but if they lost their shields again they'd be in real trouble. And the planet's shields were closed.

"Back to Corellia, I guess," she said, though clearly disappointed. "Maybe we can come back with reinforcements..."

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

Tor and Ka'rta

Tor excused herself stopping for just a moment to put a hand on her father's chest. She was assured that he would get the best care, that was good despite everything she still cared about her father. He was always there, always calm, a good counter balance to her mother's fury and bombast. But, it was time for her to call the parent she clearly took after, the one she looked up to and wanted the approval of.

She marched up the ramp into the Slave I looking for some privacy. The channel was ready all she had to do was start the call. There was a little fear, she had stayed behind, she'd gotten involved in an outsiders' war. And more likely than not, her mother was leading the recovery. A position of power that would grate on the veteran's nerves.

"What," Her mother's gruff voice cut over the channel.

"Oh um...hey buir, it's Tor." the young mandalorian looked down her hands shaking a bit.

"Oh good you're alive." The acting Manda'lor gave a terse reply.

"Yeah, I'm still alive." Tor shot back. "Saved Coursant...what's left of it."

"Uh huh, good for you. When are you coming home?"

"Busy, at a wedding for the Chancellor."

"What are you doing there?"

"Someone has to represent our clan, you know, now that we're Manda'lor."

"We're not Manda'lor, I'm just keeping things in order until Madelyn returns."

"That'll change…" Tor muttered off to the side.

"What was that?"

"Nothing buir."

"How's your buir?"

"He got banged up but he's alive."

"He's a survivor. Just like Owen." Her voice was cold like she was just reading off a script saying what she had to, the things that need to be said to keep the conversation going.

"Glad you care so much…" Tor said tapping her finger on the arm of the chair.

"I'm just very busy, adi'ka." Ka'rta explained, "Keeping the clans in line, it is taking a toll." The weary leader let out a long breath. "You've done well, you've proven yourself. You're not done training yet, but you've taken a big step."

A slight smile came to her face, it was faint back handed praise but, it was something. It was all Tor needed.That her mother finally noticed that she was ready for this, that she was capable.

"I'm proud of you Tor…"

"I love you too…" Tor said without thinking about it, though she instantly felt embarrassed.

Ka'rta said nothing, slightly taken aback by the sudden affirmation.

"Well, come home safe, there is much to do…"

"Um...Yes buir."

Tor ended the call and wandered out of the ship overwhelmed with emotions, and not sure what to do with them.

TAG: @Sinrebirth @TheSilentInfluence @JediMasterAnne @Jerjerrod-Lennox

 

OOC: Combos with the GM

IC: Senator Nola and Del Deidder
Battle, arriving at Nubia

"It's still either back to Corellia, or dodging this until the shields open," Nola remarked, swiftly tilting the ship around some debris.

Del nodded. "I think we need to get back to Corellia. But I don't want to abandon Nubia either." The Golan wreckage sagged and was on the cusp of hitting the shields. The New Republic was too busy chewing apart the Bakurans, so they wouldn't reach it in time. Nubia dropped it's shields to allow the debris to fall down, and a flock of freighters began to try and tractor it into stable orbit.

"That's our chance," Del said, pointing. "In, or out?"

Nola took their ship into a dive. "Can we still raise Captain Bulba? Or Shield Control? We don't want them closing up before we get in."

Del tapped a channel. "Captain Bulba, can you here me?"

"We're kinda a bit busy not dying here, Senator!"

He twisted a control. "Shield Control, the Senator is coming in, transmitting her ID."

A garrulous voice sounded out. "You have 1 minute, Senator."

The channel cut. Del looked at Nola, alarmed.

Nola's expression was similarly concerned, but it shifted to a well-here-we-go look as she accelerated the ship toward the opened shield, dodging wreckage along the way.

The shield slammed shut behind them, but not before a Bakuran X-wing made it through -

"On your six!" Bakuran Control shouted.

A flight of TIE Strikers darted up, firing even before they were out of the way -

Nola quickly rolled them to the side to avoid the crossfire, banking around as well, trying to get behind the enemy fighter--

The TIE Strikers pursued the Bakuran interloper, driving it off, and the freighters managed to stabilise the Golan so its orbit wouldn’t crash into the surface.

“Senator Deidder, I have a request from the Ruling Council that you attend the capital hall as soon as possible.”

Nola glanced to Del, then opened the channel to respond. "Tell them I'm en route."

TAG: @Sinrebirth

----------------------

IC: Chancellor Feyna Organa and Winter
New Alderaan

Feyna had finally sifted Padme's wedding dress out of the racks; she still felt a little weird about wearing it, but nothing else here would suit.

She couldn't wear her hair up with the veil, so she was taking out her long braids when Winter came back in. "Getting there," she replied. "Have the others all arrived?"

Winter smiled at Feyna. "It suits you, incredibly so. Padme - and Leia - would be so proud." Her eyes watered a little, and she shrugged aside a tear, standing to occasion.

"Yes, they're all here. Han, Ben, Xaverri and Lumpawaroo arrived aboard the Falcon, and Madelyn, Tor and Mirdala arrived with the Slave I." Her eyes flickered. "Not too sure how they ended up with Boba Fett's ship, but there you go." Winter smiled wryly. "Mirdala is with the medics, though he's completely stable. He told me to make sure nobody waits for him." A slight shrug. "Madelyn called Leia and her Jedi Master here, so she is here with Vhardia and also Renn, that Neti that resurfaced. Apparently there was some trouble on Yavin 4, but nothing they couldn't handle."

With Tycho and Isolder, that was almost everyone relevant to them outside of the Hapan Royal Family and the gaggle of officials and the press that none of them would have wanted here anyway.

"And our ships arrived at Nubia and are presently savaging the Bakuran fleet." Winter knew Feyna would ask, anyway.

"Good," Feyna nodded, combing out her curls. Her brows furrowed slightly. "Is it silly, for me to be more nervous about something happening on the other side of the galaxy, than about my own wedding?"

Maybe she didn't need the answer to that--if you have to ask... "Anything on Nola and Del?

"And what about the BB droid, with the plans for Thrawn's weapon?"

Winter smiled warmly. "Not at all, you're the Chancellor, after all. You care... but I don't see anything to be nervous about with Isolder. Especially not after all these years." She hugged Feyna, but withdrew with a pout on.

"Nola and Del filed a flight path to Nubia. We've not managed to track them so far, so I can only hope they arrived in-system and bugged out straight away..." Winter furrowed her brow. "BB-8 gave us data on what Thrawn is calling Starkiller Base. He's turned the entire planet of Ilum into a mobile battle platform, with some kind of hyperspace weapon. It's much larger than the Death Star, and by definition much more dangerous. But he can't complete it - the science is beyond him. BB-8 found evidence Thrawn can't finish it without Qwi Xux, as she helped with the energy management aboard the old Imperial projects. Her and Galen Erso, that is."

"So it's a very intimidating and expensive attack vehicle, at present, but that isn't what Thrawn wants, apparently, to stop the Yuuzhan Vong." Which of course was worrisome in it's own right.

Feyna frowned, as she went to pick up Padme's veil, and making sure the key for the music box was in a safe spot--of course, the wedding dress did not have pockets.

"I thought the Yuuzhan Vong were Thrawn's entire justification for building this thing--"

She suddenly shook her head. This was starting to sound rather too Amedda-ish, and she wasn't having it today. "Whatever it is, it can wait another day or two, I'm sure. We have the plans, and neither side knows where Qwi Xux is right now." Hopefully Xux would stay hidden.

"And we've done all we can about Nubia right now; we'll eventually hear something about Nola and Del, one way or another."

Winter smiled. "Exactly. It can wait, and we've done all we can." She held Feyna's hand. "You've done all you can, Feyna."

She hugged her.

"Ready to head to the chapel?"

Feyna adjusted the veil. "Just about, I think."

She didn't quite pull away from her friend's hug. "Han offered to walk me down the aisle, but I suggested that perhaps you and he could share the privilege?"

Winter smiled. “We’ll see.” Her expression grew serious. “Any last minute jitters we need to cover? I can have you off-world in ten minutes if you need it.”

Her tone was in-jest, of course. She held out her hand to lead Feyna to the chapel (or not).

Feyna raised a brow at "We'll see," wondering what Winter might have up her sleeve, but shook her head when asked about jitters. Oddly, she was more sure of this, than perhaps any other decision of the past few days.

"No, let's go."

The wedding could now begin.

TAG: @Sinrebirth also @Jerjerrod-Lennox @darthbernael @galactic-vagabond422 @TheSilentInfluence @darthhelinith for proximity

 

IC: Han Solo
Location: New Alderaan

As Han returned from his chat with Feyna which had gone better than he had thought he had handed back Ben to Xav so he could go and freshen up. After all, he needed to look his best for Feyna to lead her down the aisle.

Well if she wanted him to anyway.

He looked at Xav and Lumpy “Well Feyna has taken to Ben and vice versa I think. I think those two will get along well” he smiled “I think she’s alright with being an aunt bit but we’ll see. This kid needs a stable family around him and Feyna will definitely want to be a part of it, even whilst she’s Chancellorin’”

“Now, shall we freshen up? Might need to look and smell a bit better than we are now. It is a weddin’ after all…”

Han spotted another ship coming in, it looked like more people had been invited. But his main priority now was to get ready.

He and Feyna were getting along better now. Everything was still not back to normal yet but it wasn't surprising given that there was fourteen years of animosity to overcome. But they had made a start and baby Ben had gone down a storm and hopefully would improve the road to friendship a bit more.

After spending some time in the fresher on board the Falcon Han redressed himself in a new shirt, vest, trousers with the Corellian Bloodstripe on proud display and gave his boots a clean and polish. His holster with his trusty DL44 was strapped on last. He may have to remove it before entering the chapel but to be honest he would rather have a weapon with him should anything go wrong than anything go wrong and he had no weapon.

He did wish Chewie were here though. He would have loved baby Ben like Lumpy would do and would have taken on the Sith head on. But Lumpy would be a good enough partner and Uncle and he had shown how well he worked with Han. Maybe one day he could partner Ben if of course the boy wanted to.

Hope you are watchin’ pal. You’d want to head straight into battle like your son did. He’s doin’ you proud.

He headed back out to head to the chapel. Of course he would si on the bride’s side if asked but he had a more important job to do.

To give a Princess away to a Prince.

Fairytale endin’ eh?

TAG: @Sinrebirth , @JediMasterAnne , @galactic-vagabond422 , @TheSilentInfluence , @darthbernael , @darthhelinith

 

IC: Vhardia
Approaching New Alderaan

The ship that they commandeered from Yavin four is slightly larger than the Otana and so Vhardia finds that she sees little of Renn or Leia in the short trip to New Alderran, which suits her well. Leia is occupying herself with the excitement of attending a wedding and Renn... whatever he is doing, it doesn’t appear to involve her, for which she is grateful.


She does not meditate.


The moment in which she'd reached out and, gripped with fear, when she'd touched the dark side of the force, as her last resort against Abeloth, is still seared on her mind. That, faced with her own demise, she had resorted to the dark side of the force to preserve her life, without a second thought....
It feels dirty, like a stain on her soul which no amount of washing can remove. If she meditates, she will be forced to confront and deal with it. And she is deeply afraid of what she might find if she does.

So she avoids it, and avoids being alone with Renn too, fearing that he will somehow sense what she has done and think less of her for it. If there is one thing she can’t bear the thought of, it is losing his good opinion.


Instead, she busies her head with thoughts of the upcoming wedding.

She has never been to a wedding. Jedi are forbidden to form attachments and though a member of the order might have been asked to make up part of a security detail for a politician in the past, or invited to the ceremony of a friend, such things are a rare occurrence in the semi-nomadic life of those called to follow where the living force leads.


She has read about weddings though, in books. They are supposed to be happy, joyous occasions, with friends and family and food. They happen at the end of a story, when everything is made right and evil has been vanquished. It seems strange to have one now, when there is still so much darkness.

The only clothes she has are her robes, so she irons them as best she can, to make sure she looks presentable, among people who are likely to be dressed in far more beautiful things.

She is representing the Jedi, or what is left of them. In the space of a few days, she has gone from a knight, finishing her first solo mission, to the most senior member of the Order. The weight of the brown outer cloak, that she doesn’t usually bother wearing, feels heavy on her shoulders.


The face of a woman that she doesn’t recognise looks back at her from the mirror in the fresher. Sadness sits upon the figure’s brow; a deep pain fogs up her chest, making every breath a battle for control with a cloud of grief that threatens to envelop her in sobs.

She watches her win.

The time for tears will be later.
When the bride walks down the aisle, she will stand at the back and, hidden behind the hood of her robe, will cry, silently. She will cry for the beauty of the moment, for the happiness of the bride and groom, for the vows that they dedicate to each other.

She will grieve the broken galaxy and for those that should be there instead of her.

And most of all, she will mourn that which she lost fourteen years ago with vows of her own, when she sold her own happiness to the service of the light side of the force.



When Leia asks her why she is crying, she will smile and say that she always cries at weddings.


She reaches deep into herself now and finds a smile stuffed down in the bottom of one of her boots. It is arranged carefully on her face as she wins again with steady breaths.

When she flings the door to her berth open in a minute’s time, she’ll laugh at Leia’s attempts at arranging her hair. As they come to land on Alderaan, she will gently brush out the blonde curls, singing a rhyme that she learnt in the nurseries of the temple of the light side of the force as she plaits the strands and weaves in the little flowers they picked together on the moon of Yavin.

Tags: @TheSilentInfluence @darthbernael @Sinrebirth @JediMasterAnne @galactic-vagabond422 @Jerjerrod-Lennox

 

Tor
Wedding

Oddly Tor was calm, though a little confused. She'd never really been at a wedding before and from what she knew of her parents' they didn't really have a big to do. The way they tell it, they gave their vows in her nursery. The one thing she did know was how to act at official functions. Her mother had dragged her to enough that she knew the protocol. If she could follow it that was another thing. She hated standing still and doing small talk. And it felt like this was going to take all of her patience to get through. Yes patience, one the hallmarks of her Clan, along with unstoppable rage and an overabundance of weaponry. She looked at herself in the mirror provided to her.

The armor was Mandalorian inspired, though made out of durasteel than beskar. It was lighter and easier to move in though not as protective. She had the battered helmet hooked to the belt it was just as grey and non-descript as the rest of her armor. You couldn't really see much under her pancho but the greaves and bracers were visible in a blank steel grey. There was no character, no markings that made it hers.

But it was a start, or, a transition, a blank canvas. Much like her. She was a mandalorian now, Vode to her clan. This was her start, her beginning. Her armor was shiny and new, and so was she. Her future was blank and just waiting for her to make her mark.

On a tray there was some makeup she assumed for someone that might care about dolling up. She didn't. But among the foundations, concealers and blushes she found somethings that could work. Notably some lipstick and mascara. Pulling off her pancho, she turned her right shoulder to the mirror popping open the mascara she made one line and started curved then straightened. A second line started at the beginning of the first that followed it. A third line crossed the ends of the previous two. One final line going down from the middle of the crossing line gave the image a vague sword shape, very vague. Grabbing a tube of pink lipstick she made an attempt to make three stars in a triangle above the sword though it came out more of a mess.

But it was done, her clan emblem, the clan of Dar Solus, her mother, her father, her grandparents, they all wore this mark. And now she would too.

It was her start, her beginning. Stepping out, without the poncho, the light glinted off her armor, it's blank nature drawing attention to the crude clan mark but, the young warrior didn't care. It was her mark, her clan, and she would wear it with pride. She was part of the family now.


TAGS: @TheSilentInfluence @darthhelinith @Sinrebirth @JediMasterAnne @darthbernael @Jerjerrod-Lennox

 

OOC: A combo with @Sinrebirth

IC: Qwi Xux, Beaumont Kin, Orielle
Location: Kesh

It was nearly time to leave.

Beaumont was tucked in under a blanket, it was the only thing they could do with him. Hopefully she and Beaumont would not run into trouble whilst travelling but Qwi doubted it.

Not with all that had happened so far.

Of course she had never ridden a beast. She had been surrounded by technology since she had been taken by Tarkin. Perhaps she could add this to her skills list along with climbing.

Of course Beaumont tried to take the lead and made a comment that she was feathery. It seemed he wanted to do something and was forgetting he had been mentally and physically beaten.

It was up to Qwi to take care of things now. Get them to the boat and safety.

Orielle alerted them to the Sith arriving overhead before Qwi could reply, she pulled up the hood of her cloak, knelt down and tucked her hands underneath her armpits. To Beaumont she simply sent to him cover yourself, stay quiet.

Inwardly she tried to remain calm. These Sith killed her lover, it was only through sheer luck that Orielle had found Beaumont and brought him back to life.

Qwi kept her head down.

The Uvaks circled for a moment, and then departed, heading off.

Orielle released a breath, but then realised where one of the Uvak was heading as it broke away from the other twenty. "That's where we're going," she said, pointing. "That way, anyway." Her voice was small, and worried.

"Do we press on? I can try and make a distraction, so you can get aboard the boat...?"

She didn't resonate with confidence, but she did at least have grit. Orielle clearly considered them key to saving Kesh from the Lost Tribe of the Sith.

Qwi had not realised that Orielle had decided to come with them both. Maybe she thought it would be better for her to stay behind in case the Sith noticed she was missing.

But maybe she thought Qwi and Beaumont needed help in getting there, after all she had pinned her hopes on them both doing something.

No pressure then…

Qwi stood back up"To answer your previous questions it perhaps would have been a good idea to paint me purple but maybe time is now against us, maybe we can still do it".

"I also have never ridden anything before but I guess now is a good start".

Of course Orielle might not be able to see her face under the cloak but she did look concerned "You know what could happen if you do distract them, you could get yourself captured or killed. And they could find out about the Resistance".

"The other option is we get there and they are waiting for us...and could end up the same way".

She sighed "Neither way is good but a distraction perhaps could keep the attention away from us for enough time to get there".

"I've decided it's too important to not come," Orielle said. "I have to support you."

She nodded, and glanced at Beaumont, who was unconscious. "That and you'll need help. He's very weak, Qwi. I know his mind has repaired somewhat - somehow, but that's love for you, I guess, but he should probably be dead from his wounds. I can't emphasise how terrifying the Circle can be. I've seen Resistance fighters torn apart limb-from-limb before crowds... seen entire villages reduced to screaming masses... seen a Lord kill an entire mob with a flick of his wrist..."

Orielle shuddered.

Qwi nodded, she supposed Orielle was right.

"I know he is weak, I know he should be dead by now and I do appreciate the help."

" I suppose I can't care for him on my own. But he is my responsibility. He threw me out of that yacht to save me and I will do my best to do what I can to save him. If the roles were reversed he would do the same for me".

"He is stronger than you might think. We share a bond in the Force which will only get stronger. Wherever he goes, I go. I love him and he loves me. And nothing will get in the way of that. The Sith will pay for what they did to him".

She moved towards the beast and after a couple of goes managed to saddle up.

"Let's do this".

Orielle showed her the ropes, so to speak, but Qwi was a quick study. They passed a variety of travellers on the road, but it was nothing to concern themselves with. If anything, they seemed worried by Qwi’s cloak and stayed away.

This worked for them of course, but by the time they made it to the port there was an inspection setup. The uvak had been heading off in advance of them... they would see it in the stalls at the edge of the shanti-town.

There were a pair of Keshiri soldiers, armed with spears and reviewing each and every traveller. No lightsabers were evident, which suggested these weren’t Force users, but everyone was Sith so the threat remained...

Orielle leaned over to Qwi and whispered. “They might be Resistance agents... we should try to pass without causing a scene, unless you want me to go for a distraction right now?”

Qwi was thankful that so far, things had gone well. Perhaps she should have been thankful the cloak frightened people.

She had taken the gloves out of her jumpsuit, along with the contact lens it was all she had left. She kept an eye on Beaumont through the bond, he had kept quiet throughout. He was probably resting but she wanted him to know she was there.

The Sith had made it here ahead of them which of course was the biggest problem they had to face before getting on the boat. First off though: inspection.

Qwi shook her head "Too dangerous for a distraction here, they might not be Resistance agents and could alert the Sith. Our problem is trying to get through without them spotting Beaumont".

She thought for a moment "I could try and persuade them through the Force or try and project maybe a vision of cargo where Beaumont is. I know this cloak protects me from the Force, i'm not sure whether I can use it but it could be worth a go. The Sith hopefully might not sense me".

"Of course the other option is I act as your servant as normal and we hope that the cargo is not inspected and they are Resistance agents" she took a deep breath as they approached the two Keshiri "otherwise if not, maybe yes distraction time".

Orielle wasn't sure.

"Alright..." She nodded slowly. "I don't think I recognize them but it's hard to tell under that helmet."

She looked at Beaumont. "It's your partner we're risking - I'll do whatever you decide, Qwi."

Orielle might as well have said if something happens to him it's your fault.

And it would be. Qwi felt a lump forming in her throat. Beaumont if he woke up and found out she had gotten them in trouble...she felt sick.

"As you say we should pass without making a scene. We act as normal as possible. We have options to use should we detect anything. I suppose we should trust the Force…and hope we get through unscathed".

Orielle snorted lightly. "The Force runs very dark on Kesh. I'd rather take things into my own hands."

They were one a way from the front of the queue now, and Orielle focused.

She held out her hand and an item levitated from her sleeve to someone a few groups behind them, keeping to the ground as it slid across unobtrusively. It snuck up the hem of the cloak of the man, and he patted himself as he realised there was something. The human pulled it out and Orielle watched his eyes widen.

Orielle flicked a finger.

Snap-hiss.

A green blade appeared, and Orielle watched pandemonium break out as the guards rushed from their stations, with others still pouring out of a stone-building as the two Keshiri shouted. They waved the crowd into the port, determined to get the Jedi in their midst.

Orielle grinned. "In we go, as they say!"

Qwi looked behind...and had to shake her head.

So much for not creating a scene…

And an innocent civilian had been targeted and now would face the full brunt of the guards and probably the Sith. Orielle would probably say it was worth it to get them into the port.

It was a war too she would reason.

So this is what we are getting into. I thought I had escaped a war, only to be dragged into a new one.

Qwi simply tapped the beast on the side to move forward. She didn't know what Beaumont would have made of it had he seen it.

They were through, and the crowd milled around before filtering aboard the ships and boats.

Orielle pointed. "That's our ship. The Wayfarer." She slipped Qwi some local coinage. "Take this, the Captain will take you to Alanciar, and the Resistance will have someone to meet you there."

She looked back. Guilt was across her face, but her lips were pursed. She had no choice; they couldn't risk Qwi and Beaumont being discovered.

Qwi took the coinage slowly getting off the beast and shaking her legs to get some feeling back in them.

She could detect the guilt coming off Orielle. She felt sorry for the woman. She had sacrificed herself to get them both here. And had to sacrifice a civilian too.

Qwi stepped towards her "Me and Beaumont are forever grateful for your help, without you...we definitely wouldn't have survived."

"I don't know if we will be able to do anything, but we will do what we can to help your cause. If it brings down the Sith regime all the better. You and the rest of the people deserve to live in peace not under an iron fist".

"Please stay safe, maybe perhaps we will meet again someday, I hope so. The light will shine again like your father once hoped. And as the Jedi say: may the Force be with you" Qwi smiled at her.

"You could do one last thing for me please? We'll need to get Beaumont safely aboard…."

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

(OOC: A combo post between @Sinrebirth and myself)

Ka'rta
Mandalore

The message came in and the head of the table had no time for the vague message, not when there was a full scale rearm and recall of all mandalorians. There was no time for this, no time to take drinks with a random stanger, even if he might be offering contracts. If he wanted a meeting with her he can get on her schedule. Right now, there were other things to worry about, like equipping their fang fighters and getting enough resources together to repair the one Keldabe-class battleship they had at their disposal.

Her reply was short and sweet.

Give me a reason to care.

The reply was fairly swift.

I could make your sector either very rich, or simply the next target. That’s all I will say by comms.

Da’Gara hated infidel technology. Now the Senate knew about them, he had a very small window to complete infiltration of the sector before heading back to the armada.

If he had to bump the Mandalorian Sector up the list of threats, he would.

Without hesitation.

He sipped his water under the watchful gaze of the bartender.

I don't take kindly to threats.

Ka'rta replied. She might not be sold on the getting rich part but the target did make her concerned. She would have to investigate. Getting up from her desk she moved to her ship next strapping on a bandolier and throwing a disruptor onto her back. The Mand'alor would not come to this meeting empty handed. Putting a few detonators on her belt along with warheads she would be ready to end this threat before it could be come a problem.

She arrived at the location eyes scanning for her contact...

The bartender looked at the nondescript man that was in a corner booth as Ka’rta arrived, sipping his water. The man looked up from his drink as he saw her. “Ah, the not-Mandalore.” He didn’t offer her a hand. “I represent interests that have a large-scale territorial acquisition in the works. My colleagues would like to hire Mandalorian expertise of planetary defence networks, training for our irregulars and their specialism in handling Je’daii interference.”

Da’Gara winced. He couldn’t say the difficult word. ‘Jedi’ was seemingly beyond his translator worms capacities. “It will be immensely lucrative; money is no object for us, and I understand, all that truly matters to your people.”

He nearly sneered his disdain.

The warrior nodded her head marching over towards the unassuming man in the corner. She didn't shake his hand choosing to just let it hang there before sitting down. One hand was on a blaster pistol the other was braced on the table. Behind her face plate she furrowed her brow hearing the odd way the man said Jedi. It wasn't any language she could recognize. She'd been around the galaxy enough to know more than a few my ear even if she couldn't speak a word. That word wasn't sparking any memories.

"A large territorial acquisition huh?" She said not moving an inch, she hadn't missed the slight curl to his lip that quickly disappeared. "Money is nice but planets would be of more use. I'll happily take both, money and systems." Having more planets around Manda'yiam would make a nice buffer between the homeworld and any threats. "I don't have near the firepower to take planets. Not that the Republic would take too kindly to it. I much prefer force in bringing new planets into the Mandalorian Protectorate. If money is no object than about 2 dozen systems around Mandalore should be nothing to you right?" It would be lying to say she was completely serious about this negotiation. She was poking seeing what he was really after, or what he was willing to give up for their assistance. If they wanted territory, she wondered how much they would give up. "Oh these systems would be solely under the purview of myself and the Mandalorian clans of course and your clients would have no presence there. I hope that will be alright."

Da’Gara kept his hands flat on the table but smiled with his face. “You are more than welcome to double the size of the Mandalorian Sector. Triple it, even. As long as we have your unique expertise, we have no qualms as to what you do to your neighbours.”

He had a thought. “We’d also be happy to pay a premium to obtain exclusivity rights.” Da’Gara thought that was what the infidels would call the icing on the cake. “Do we have a deal? I can arrange a meeting with my own immediate superior, if so...”

His smile could not have been more alien if he tried.

"Well, that is quiet the offer." Something about his smile was putting her off. This deal was too good to be true, it felt like Mimban all over again a good paying job that took a turn for the worst. She'd dealt with some slimy customers before, it was nothing new to her but, the fact he agreed so easily without even a hint of discomfort or hesitation as she suddenly changed the terms, he even added to them himself in her favor. There was something wrong she could feel it in her guts.

"You did make it seem as though I had no other choice but to accept this offer or we'd become a target? Is that why you want us off the table? So that you don't have to spend resources trying to destroy us?"

“I simply thought it appropriate to offer you the chance to be on the winning side,” Da’Gara said, oozing charm. “The New Republic is a mess, undone by a cabal of simple politicians and their droid weapons.” Da’Gara’s voice grew distasteful. “There isn’t a warrior among them. Now the Sith, they were truly brilliant fighters - but they overplayed their hand, and the galaxy snuffed them out yet again.”

Da’Gara would have loved to recruit them, but the Supreme Overlord’s advisors had rhymed them too dangerous. The Sith were better dead than not. Though for all he knew, as he’d been away from the centres of power for some time, who knew what new strategies had been thought up.

“But when we arrive, my friend, we shall advance upon a galaxy which has already been shattered... can you imagine the New Republic stitching itself back together in time? They won’t win.”

"And what assurances do I have that you won't just turn on me and mine once your job is done. You seemed more than happy to part with some systems, a fair number of them. I don't trust the New Republic, but I trust you less. You walk in here offering me the galaxy but with a threat behind it. And if we know you're coming maybe that will be the kick in the Shebs the Republic needs to get its act together."

“I gather...” Da’Gara said, carefully. “That the New Republic does know. But that won’t change anything.” He had done this enough times to know that he was making minimal progress. He placed his hands together. “I could show you our advance force, but it only includes the one small worldship. Unless I take you back with me to the armada, of course? It will take three years aboard one of your small and fast craft... but another decade, if not more, by worldship.”

He sounded a bit apologetic. “Last chance, then the next time my kind visit your sector, it will be in force.”

"Well, then I shall see you on the battlefield my friend. I do not have years to spend heading out to the middle of nowhere, when me and my people are needed here." The words of Venku where ringing in her head. This was not the time to be sending a contingent far away. If it was a quick mission she would have likely agreed but, it was too long for too much. Sure she could have used the credits, and if she was on her own, no loyalties, she might have taken it. But, she had the weight of Mandalore on her shoulders. She couldn't turn away. "Though we can negotiate when you return..."

Da’Gara stood. He was tempted to try and take Ka’rta with him back... but no. He couldn’t guarantee he’d make it to his ship without another Mandalorian stopping him.

“Well, until then, my friend.”

He bowed over his hand. “I’ll convince my superiors to pause their march for long enough for us to chat.”

He left the Oyu’baat.

The bartender kept watching as he left. “Mir'osik, that one.” He shook his head.

And that, was that.

"Very kind of you..." Ka'rta said hand still on her blaster the urge to just shoot him was strong, so very strong. Likely the only thing that kept him from dying right there was the promise of giving them more time. Time she would use to the fullest. It would take everything she had but, she would make Mandalore into a fortress, an impenetrable bulwark against what was coming. She would also send a message to Madelyn about this. The actual mand'alor was much better at talking to the Republic than she.

As the figure retreated she gave a nod to the barman.

"Agreed."

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Madelyn Linnett
Wedding

Madelyn was happy that the fighting was over, that she was soon to be with her family again. She knew she was still representing Mandalore, although Madelyn hoped that would soon come to pass and she would be able to be relived of that if Tor agreed. She sighed and waited, although she was dressed in a mix of a dress and bits of armour, Madelyn felt out of place. It had been a long time since she had been at a wedding. She hoped her husband Arthur and son Alfred were here, although she hadn't seen them yet.

She turned as new craft after new craft arrived, reached out with the force to see who was on board. She could sense Tor and a few force sensitives. Madelyn paused and frowned. Leia! She turned her gaze towards one of the ships. She came after all. Madelyn straightened herself out and waited. She knew Leia would probably be able to sense her too.

IC: Leia Skirata-Linnett
Wedding

Leia was excited.

She had never been to a wedding before. At least that she could remember. And she was eager to get there. Leia wanted to see her mother again, her father and brother hopefully too. She could feel a multitude of emotions through the force, she could sense her mother very briefly, but she struck close to Master Vhardia as they departed the ship. Leia had let Master Vhardia brush her hair and tried it up after Leia had changed into more formal robes. She glanced up at her Master nervously, and hoped her family would like Master Vhardia, and Master Renn.

"Mother's here. I think she's already sensed me." Leia told them. "And..." She paused and reached out with the force. It feels like....Tor? "Tor's here too!" Leia grinned up at them. "Can I sit with her? Or can she sit with us and mother? Please please..."

Tag: @Sinrebirth @darthhelinith @darthbernael @galactic-vagabond422 (For name mention of Tor)

 

OOC: Combo with Jerjerrod-Lennox

IC: Han Solo and Chancellor Feyna Organa
The Wedding, New Alderaan

Han waited for Feyna to arrive and even he had to admit to himself that he was nervous.

The cocky Corellian smuggler was now about to perform a very important duty: to give Feyna away to Isolder.

He didn't know what Feyna's family would have made of this if they saw it. A smuggler giving away a Princess? It would be unheard of.

Well if there's one thing I know how to do is to throw the rule book out the door.

He threw a wink and his customary half smile at Xav and Lumpy before facing forwards again, face serious to wait for Feyna and Winter to arrive.

Feyna gave Han a nod and a slightly nervous smile as she and Winter arrived in the chapel; he'd cleaned up nicely. She hugged Winter again and kissed her cheek as well, as her friend handed her off to the smuggler.

"Ready?" She asked.

"As i'll ever be" he said "Is it safe to say that i'm as nervous as uou are and i'm not the one gettin' married" he chuckled and winked at her "Don't tell snyone though".

He smiled at her "You look gorgeous kid, you'll knock Isolder's socks off. You are lucky to have bagged a Prince" his smile grew wider.

Han then offered her his arm with a bow "Your Highness."

Feyna smiled again and took his arm. "Thank you, Han."

Han began to lead her down the aisle a smile on his face. He would never have dreamt he would be doing this, not after what had happened fourteen years ago.

He kept one eye on Feyna to make sure he was not going too fast nor slow for her.

Feyna kept pace right alongside him, her eyes briefly shifting over the guests before settling on Isolder, beaming at him as she and Han proceeded down the aisle. Gods, they were really about to do this... She wasn't terribly nervous--a few jitters were understandable, and at the moment, she wasn't thinking about the sorry state of the rest of the galaxy; she felt happier than she'd felt in days.

Time for the handover.

As Han came to a stop near Isolder he nodded to the Prince before releasing Feyna's arm.

Thankfully got down in one piece….

He grinned at Feyna giving her a gentle pat on the shoulder "Good luck kid".

His job done he headed off to go and sit with Xav, Lumpy and Ben.

Feyna gave a nod to Han as he stepped back, Winter moving into place next to her, as the priest began the ceremony, taking Isolder through his vows first, then it was Feyna's turn.

Her eyes met her groom's, and her smile brightened.

"I do."

TAG: @Sinrebirth @Jerjerrod-Lennox @TheSilentInfluence @galactic-vagabond422 @darthbernael @darthhelinith

 

OOC: A combo with @Sinrebirth

IC: Qwi Xux, Beaumont Kin, Orielle, Taalon
Location: Kesh

Unfortunately the Sith had found them, probably drawn to the fact that there were rumours of a Jedi about.

And he'd caught the fact that there was a human under the blanket.

Not good.

Orielle had removed another blade, thankfully it seemed whomever it was had not seen Qwi under her cloak but when Orielle held the blade up to Qwi's throat she wondered if Orielle would betray them.

But it seemed the Sith knew more about her than Qwi realised and before long they were in battle and Qwi had a choice, run or help.

But she knew she couldn't help, not with Beaumont in the condition he was. Orielle it seemed would sacrifice even herself to make sure Beaumont and Qwi got out.

Qwi felt another lump in her throat but Beaumont was her main concern now. She quickly bent down to try and pull him up.

"Orielle created a distraction, a Sith is here" she whispered "I know you can't move so i'm going to try and use the Force to move you, we need to get to the boat before the Sith comes for us".

She tucked her head under one of Beaumont's arms and used the other to snake around his back. Concentrating inside she tried to lift Beaumont up using her frail body and the Force.

Beaumont’s eyes’ snapped open and he waved a hand, dispelling her Force act. “If that High Lord realises we’re users - he’ll focus on us.” He pulled himself upright, used the cart to stand up. “Come on, help me up the ramp.”

The Keshiri captain was already issuing orders to his crew to get ready to go. His sense in the Force was fearful, clearly he was concerned that Taalon would notice them -

There was a clash to blades and Taalon’s amusement floated into the Force, as well as Orielle’s grim acceptance.

Qwi cursed herself, of course if she used the Force they would be noticed. Although all of a sudden Beaumont had gained some energy, maybe he had been holding back to this point.

Keeping her gloves on she wrapped an arm around Beaumont's back and helped him as best she could. With a broken leg it would be slow going.

Eventually heading up the ramp Qwi removed the coinage Orielle had given her and called to the Captain "Excuse me sir? I was told you could take us to Alanciar?" She held out the coinage head bowed like any subordinate would.

The captain hesitated, looking at Taalon, and back down at the coinage. “Is that where you want to go?”

Beaumont pulled a face. “We don’t want to delay you, Captain.”

The Keshiri nodded. “I can see why. Is that trouble going to follow you? It’s one thing for me to do it without them knowing... it’s another thing a Circle member to be here.”

“He’s going to kill you if he sees you,” Beaumont said. There were other ships leaving. “You’d best run while you can.”

“So why should I run with you?” The Captain sneered, closing his hand around the coins.

Behind them, there was a pained noise and a wet slap; Orielle had just lost an arm and it had tumbled to the ground.

Orielle was losing, there was no doubt of that. And once Orielle was down and out the Sith would have free reign.

"My partner is correct" she said looking up "You'd best run because you know what will happen when he does find you".

"Put simply, that woman with the lightsaber, she believed in us, rescued us both when we were down and out. The best we can do to honour her is to give you and your people hope"

She tilted her head to the side still holding on to Beaumont "Because we apparently are the best hope you have of breaking the grip the Sith have on you all. To do something about it".

Her voice turned into a quiet hiss "To join the Resistance".

The Captain hesitated. “Come on.” He nodded. “Thank you... I... I let -“

“Cap’n, we need to go!” Another shouted out.

“Weigh anchor!” The Keshiri reached for Beaumont to help him aboard, as Orielle hissed out in pain as she dropped to her knees.

A bolt of lightning sent her tumbling off the roof. Orielle crashed to the ground. Taalon stepped down, levitating slowly to the floor. He wasn’t even winded. Orielle spat at him.

Taalon put the tip of his blade in her cheek, and ran it up her face. Then he booted her into the floor. “Are you done?”

The boat drifted off the port. Beaumont leaned heavily on the wooden side, watching as they fought - or rather, Orielle lost. Tears were in his eyes, at the woman who had saved them.

Qwi followed Beaumont aboard, nodding at the Captain in thanks.

She kept her cloak's hood up, there was no need to reveal herself unless she was in private with Beaumont or when the time was right to do so.

She joined Beaumont at the side of the boat as they watched Orielle be defeated. She looked up to see the tears in her lovers eyes and she once again wrapped an arm around Beaumont's back.

Orielle had sacrificed her own life so they could live. She had saved Qwi, brought Beaumont back from the dead. Reunited them both and asked them to join a cause that could ultimately bring down tyranny.

Qwi said a prayer in Omwati, the same one she had said when Pascale had died before letting the tears fall her small body shaking as she cried.

Taalon looked up at them, his foot crushing Orielle’s face into the ground. Beaumont stiffened, and they could see the Keshiri High Lord’s malicious grin.

He whistled out the corner of his mouth, and his Uvak flew from the stables and settled beside him. He took the reins, and was ready to mount and pursue them. He gave his foot another twist as he pushed on Orielle’s skull -

Beaumont squeezed Qwi’s hand -

Qwi felt Orielle die.

And all she wanted to do was lash out at the Sith. But that was what the Sith would have wanted them to do. But Qwi had made herself a promise: to die rather than fall.

She felt Beaumont squeeze her hand and she squeezed back grateful for him just being there.

She remembered what he had said though. Any use of the Force and the Sith would detect it. And they would be attacked. And Beaumont in his condition could not fight.

But Qwi did not like doing nothing, but in this instance she had to.

So she stood there letting the tears continue to flow holding Beaumont's hand.

The Uvak nuzzled into Taalon’s hand and he stepped off Orielle, intending to flip up onto the flying beast and pursue -

But then the Force blazed with life, and Orielle had projected her death into the Force, she snatched up her blade and in one smooth, surprising motion, notwithstanding the wreck of her face, and her inability to even see -

She severed the Uvak’s head, and turned to look at Qwi and Beaumont. What she thought slammed into them. We are the downtrodden; we are used to being stood on; we can take it. When the Sith step on, we strike!

Taalon raised a hand, vexed, his beauty marred by a snarl, and he ran her through with an eruption to lightning from his palm. It ripped through her chest and out of her back, and her corpse dropped to the floor, holed -

The High Lord regarded them both for a moment, and the captain's ship sped away. The Keshiri’s face returned to a knowing smirk, and he held out a hand -

The power of the Force seized their wooden construct -

The crew rocked as the forward motion of their ship was arrested -

Qwi watched as Orielle suddenly popped back into life and decapitated the flying beast. And felt Orielle's message slam into her.

A message to carry to the others. A message that could ring across the planet if powerful enough.

And now the Sith was trying to literally rock the boat. Still trying to get them to use the Force.

Keep trying, you'll just get exhausted.

Qwi turned and wrapped her arms around Beaumont's waist tightly just in case the ship did up tipping over. She looked up at Beaumont tilting her head to the side asking the question: yes or no?

Beaumont nodded. "Yes."

He held her, and drew deep on their Force bond.

Sarasu Taalon was a High Lord of the Sith.

In another time, he would have matched blades with Luke Skywalker.

He was strong, and they would have to be strong too.

Beaumont sagged slightly; this was draining.

Qwi could feel Beaumont was struggling so she would have to take up the slack. They would probably both collapse after this as it would take most if not all of their energy.

She closed her eyes and drew as deeply as she could flooding it with love warmth and two words:

For Orielle

She removed one of her gloves but immediately moved her gloved hand over the top so the blue skin would not show through.

She began to push outwards trying to counter the Sith's push and digging as deep as she could go to keep the push up.

Their power, together, it was impressive. The waves rumbled and the port was blown away, driving the boat further from the shore -

Taalon remained upright, and strained, but with a thrash of his hand dispelled the attack and watched as the drifted away. They were far beyond his range now, and clearly he had no Uvak to pursue them.

The Keshiri arched his chin arrogantly, and turned away.

Beaumont for his part, well, he collapsed. Every knit wound on his body reopened, and the bruises that had been fading on his skin ripened again -

For their part, the crew cheered!

Qwi felt Beaumont collapse and looked on in shock as his wounds reopened, it looked like his body had decided it had had enough.

She let him drop, her body collapsing on top of his, trying to make sure she did not land on his broken leg or ribs. Whether she succeeded was another question.

But they were safe for now, and thier bond had worked to at least give them the advantage.

She moved her uncovered hand from behind Beaumont's back and quickly put her glove back on before laying her hooded head next to Beaumont and letting thier bond carry her away to the safe space or just drop into the welcoming darkness.

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Leia Skirata-Linnett, Tor
The Wedding

It didn't take long for Tor to see Leia, as the younger girl was very excited, her voice carrying over the sounds of the other people around. Tor would have recognized that voice anywhere.

"Leia!" Tor called out rushing up to her sister. Though Leia was with two others the young warrior didn't care instantly Tor knelt down wrapping her arms around the shorter girl. "I'm so sorry, soo so sorry I...I wasn't thinking, I...I didn't think about you and what you needed. I'm just so sorry." She said blabbering and holding Leia close almost never wanting to let go.

Leia hugged Tor back just as tightly, wrapping her arms around her and not wanting to let go. "It's okay Tor. I already forgave you. I was being a brat anyway, running off like that." Leia explained. She pulled away to look at Tor. "You know, you don't have to be so worried."

"But, you were my responsibility, I should have done more to keep you safe." She patted Leia down looking for injures. "But you're ok, no major injuries, you got all your parts?"

"It's okay. And I'm okay." Leia looked at Tor curiously. "When did you grow up so much?" She asked her with a grin. "Are you sure you have all your parts?" She teased and reached up to tap the side of Tor's head. "Like you're brain?"

Tor grinned letting out an annoyed chuckle, gently swatting Leia's hand away.

"I got my brain, probably twice the brain you do." She teased back hands holding Leia's shoulders. Tor looked away for a moment then back to her sister. "These past few days, it's been a lot. A lot happened, I learned a lot, and I..." She looked over her shoulder to Madelyn concern in her eyes. "I, I had to grow up. It was time, I'm a mandalorian now." She showed off her handy work, a crude and messy drawing of her family crest done in makeup. "And I...I missed you. A lot."

Leia nodded with understanding. "I think I get it." She looked at the crudely drawn Crest. "That looks good though." She paused and looked back at Tor. "I had to grow up too. I'm going to be a Jedi now." She explained.

"I missed you a lot too." Leia added. She looked thoughtful for a moment. "You know, you can tell me anything right?" Leia sensed her concern and glanced back at her mother for a moment. She tapped Tor on the arm. "What's going on?"

"A jedi huh," Tor shook her head, "My Buir isn't going to be happy to hear that..." She was trying to avoid the question, she didn't want to answer it but, the look in Leia's eyes, she couldn't keep quiet. She leaned in close speaking in a whisper. "Well...um...Auntie wants to...wants to name me her heir, make me the next Mand'alor." She looked around hoping no one else heard her.

"I'll be a good Jedi." Leia answered defensively. She paused as Tor leaned in to whisper her secret, and Leia had a hard time keeping still in response.

"Really? Tor that's wonderful." Leia whispered back. She hugged her again. "Are you okay with that?" Leia pulled away, looked worried.

"Ah...It's an honor really," Tor looked down pursing her lips a little. "I'm growing into it, I think. Maybe that was the reason I grew up so much. You know, having all this responsibility thrown on me. I mean, yeah, I'm ok with it. I don't know when I'll be ready, but I'll figure it out." Her hands squeezed Leia's shoulders. "Turned out just like our mothers, a jedi and a warrior." She had to laugh a little at the coincidence of it all.

Leia smiled back. "You'll be a good leader Tor. But don't be afraid to ask for help from mother or anyone else either." She told her gently. "Mother might not be the best Mand'alor, but she has been through a lot." Leia said softly.

"I hope we listen to each other better then they do." Leia replied. She thought for a moment. "You know, when I go to the Jedi Order we might not see each other much. Training takes a long time. I might even be a Jedi Knight by then."

"Well, I might be Mand'alor by then, if my mom doesn't kill me in training first." She still had that smile on her face though she was sure the Hand of Mandalore would have many things to say about the young warrior being picked to be the next leader. "I'm sure they'll give you some time to be with family. Or I'll just find you. I'm...looking at getting my Bounty Hunting licence. So, I'll be busy too. We'll find someway to keep in touch. I promise. I won't leave you behind, again."

"You're mother shouldn't be the only one training you though. You'll have to learn from everyone." Leia sounded confused. "That's the only way you'll earn the other clans and houses trust. You can't isolate yourself Tor." She paused. "I hope they do. But Jedi Training can be strict too." She added, "And I know you will. But I don't want to lose contact with you in the first place." She smiled at Tor. "If we work together, I bet we can do great things for the galaxy."

"I'm sure, my buir isn't any good at teaching diplomacy. Her version of that is pointing a blaster at someone and saying "You'll do what I say."" Tor deepened her voice to mimic her mother. "But, she'd probably going to make sure I'm tough enough and strong enough to handle any challenges, or challengers that come my way." The same smile Leia gave her, Tor returned. "Of course, our parents saved the galaxy twice now. We should save it three times..."

Leia laughed at Tor's impression. "She probably will, but don't get too tough Tor. You can be tough and empathetic at the same time." Leia reminded her. "I've never seen you that worried over me before." She pointed out, and added, "Saving the galaxy three times sounds hard." She shrugged, and seemed unsure. "Maybe two and a half?"

"I didn't really know what I was doing." Tor replied sheepishly, "I...I though you were a bother, you know, someone I was forced to be with because our parents were close." She looked down ashamed. "It wasn't until just recently that I figured it out, that it finally made sense. I was supposed to look after you. I was older and more trained. It was my responsibility to look out for you, not myself. It was training for the time I would be a leader, maybe not Mand'alor but something close. So, when that hit me, I...I got scared you might have gotten hurt and it would be my fault for letting you get hurt."

Leia was quiet for a few moments, considering Tor's words. "Oh." She answered and looked troubled. "Mother did mention she saw you as having potential before, but she never brought it up much after. I think she was afraid Alfred and I would be jealous." She added, "I was relieved."

She frowned a little, "No one blames you though. I don't blame you. You made a mistake Tor."

"Were you now?" Tor arched her brow. "I thought you'd be all for taking your mom's place."

Leia gave her a funny look. "You're joking? I want to be the galaxies best pilot Tor. I don't want to sit on a throne for the rest of my life. Where's the fun in that?"

"So you decided to become a jedi? Lots of Jedi pilots out there?" Tor joked with a smile. "I doubt I'll be on some throne for very long, you know, lead from the front."

"I'll be the best one." Leia replied, a little put out at Tor's teasing. "That's good too, but you still have to handle yourself in both situations Tor. That's what leaders do." She gave Tor a knowing look. "Plus..." She made a face and lowered her voice. "What if you have to get married?"

"Pifft..tah..ah hick..." a hundred different words got caught in her throat. Her marry? Well, maybe...her first forays into that sphere weren't anything one would call successful. They mostly involved her going up to boys she fancied and punching them in the arm. Or telling them she liked them and that they would fight well together. Not anything a 9 year old was ready to hear, but she was ready to say. The model for her was her parents, met before a battle, spent some time together decided to make a permanent thing of it. Though she'd more or less given up on that. And the last few weeks hadn't really given her much hope. Most of the boy's she'd run into were older than her father.

"Ha..." she finally got out, "Me married...who'd want to be tied down...phifft...not me..." she said trying to hide her blush.

Leia gave her a scowl. "I hope not. I'm never getting married." She told Tor. "Not even if mother and father arrange it." She nodded her head firmly. "You should just tell your parents that you...you're married to your work."

The older girl just looked away rolling her lips and biting her tongue, she wanted to say so much more but, she held back. "Yeah...maybe..." she crossed her arms looking away. "Well, um, glad to see you're ok...we...we should get um ready for this wedding thing."

"Okay!" Leia said and she took Tor's hand in hers. "Let's go sit at the front."

"Ahhh..." Tor called out as she was dragged along behind they young girl as they took a place at the front of the place, ending up front and center as the ceremony began...Though Tor couldn't help herself tickling Leia a little as they sat down.

Leia laughed, "Hey stop it!" She told Tor, trying to bat her hands away. "I want to listen."

"What." Tor whispered back, "Not like you're going to need to know these words." Her hands deftly dodged Leia's attempts to thwart her.

Tag: @Sinrebirth @galactic-vagabond422

IC: Madelyn Linnett
The Wedding

Madelyn took her seat even before Tor and Leia did, and let the girls reunite in peace. She sighed and tried to relax in her chair, enjoying the atmosphere of the wedding. She could hear Tor and Leia apologise and banter with each other, and smiled to herself. It was nice to see and hear them getting along for once.

But Madelyn wasn't so sure about her own future. Making Tor her heir was a big step, and stepping away from Mandalorian politics and affairs was an even bigger one. Madelyn wanted to do what was best for her family, but she needed to do what was best for herself as well. Lately, she had felt closer to the force then ever before. She wanted to help more then just Mandalorians. Perhaps, Madelyn mused, she had never stopped thinking and being a Jedi after all. It was a thought that had always been there, under the surface.

Wishing for escape.

Tag: @Sinrebirth @Jerjerrod-Lennox @JediMasterAnne @galactic-vagabond422 @darthbernael @darthhelinith

 

OOC: Combo with the GM

IC: Senator Nola, and Del Deidder
Battle of Nubia

Nola flinched as fire rained down around them, just as they were reaching the landing platform at the Council building; Skelm had sent reinforcements, and Nubia's shields had collapsed under the assault, leaving the surface exposed to a relentless barrage of laser fire.

Skelm didn't seem interested in taking Nubia for his Eternal Empire, at this point--now he just wanted to kill everyone on it.

Del sounded like he wanted to get the heck out of here. "Will our shields hold, in this?"

This was going to be just as bad as their escape from Coruscant, but this ship was no Millennium Falcon, and they were already damaged.

"If we can dodge most of that, sure..."

As he watched, the Eternal Fleet systematically decimated the ground defense's, pinpoint weapons picking apart Nubian fighter craft, and even blowing up the wrecked Golan, sending a rain of fiery debris upon the capital city. It was hopeless.

The dozens of cruisers spread out so they could cover more of the surface, decimating what little resistance was left -

A wave of civilian craft lifted from the surface, and the Eternal Fleet began to methodically take out the ships one at a time -

Nola started re-prepping for takeoff. "What about the Council?"

It was probably a moot point, to even attempt contact with the Council; they might all be dead already, or getting themselves out.

Nola started re-prepping for takeoff. "What about the Council?"

It was probably a moot point, to even attempt contact with the Council; they might all be dead already, or getting themselves out.

The Eternal Fleet savaged the capital building, transforming it into liquid molten. Del blinked. “If we stay much longer I think we’ll be joining them, Nola.” He swallowed.

She winced again; hopefully the Council had evacuated...

But they had to get out of here, now. "Any power we can spare, divert to the shields."

The ship lifted off, but Nola didn't go too high yet. "I'm assuming this is going to be the situation everywhere on the planet, but would we be better off trying to get out of the worst of the firing first, or shall we take our chances and just head straight for orbit?"

She winced again; hopefully the Council had evacuated...

But they had to get out of here, now. "Any power we can spare, divert to the shields."

The ship lifted off, but Nola didn't go too high yet. "I'm assuming this is going to be the situation everywhere on the planet, but would we be better off trying to get out of the worst of the firing first, or shall we take our chances and just head straight for orbit?"

Del hesitated.

The Eternal Fleet was spreading out, but suddenly ceased fire. The fleet was holding position though, over a smoking world - cutting down refugees as they fled. A final wave of ships lifted off, even on the horizon. The ships opened fire on those in the distance, and their speed was as terrible an asset as the weapons, as was their droid ruthlessness.

Aryan’s ruthlessness.

“We can’t risk it. The Senate needs to know what’s happened, if it doesn't.”

Nola shook her head as she saw the Eternal ships destroying civilian ships as they attempted to flee; Graul really had lost it.

As much as she'd like to get out sooner than later, headed directly for orbit was not looking like a great plan at the moment. The fleet was still firing at refugee ships, but at least they weren't hammering the surface as much; she could stay low until they found an opening.

As they traversed the burning cities and ground, the distance between them and the Eternal Fleet expanded. There was a flicker of hyperspace on the sensors; more Eternal Fleet cruisers and what was unmistakably a flagship that they’d never seen before.

Del made a noise of consternation, but at least by hugging the surface they were putting distance between them and the Eternal Fleet. The cruisers began to scatter, extending the orbital blockade over the planet.

They were ahead of it for the moment, but when they inclined up, they would lose that distance. If more Eternal Fleet ships appeared from hyperspace on their side of the planet though, their escape window would vanish.

“Crunch time, Nola,” Del said. He cut all power from life support, shields, weapons - and threw it to the engines, ready to activate when she keyed it. He kept going, diverting more and more, until he got the power going into the engines up to 200%.

"Get the nav-computer primed for the jump back to Corellia," Nola told Del, checking sensors and visuals to ensure that they still had some distance between them and the fleet. "I want to be able to get into hyperspace as soon as we're clear of Nubia's gravity well."

One last look at the sensors, a silent prayer and mental fingers crossed, she pulled back on the controls and started the climb to orbit, full-throttle.

The ship rocketed into orbit, and Del remembered to put power back into the inertia compensators to stop them being pasted to the bulkheads just before she keyed them active -

The Eternal Fleet noticed them, of course, but they had not anticipated them at those speeds -

Fire lanced out, bolts sought to find them and end them -

Del had a chime from the NaviComp as some kind of energy shot up from the planet, towards the flagship, as if someone had taken a straw to the world and sucked upon it -

He tried to key up sensors, but didn’t want to drain power from the engines to find out what was going on -

"How far til we can jump?" Nola wanted to know what was going on, what that energy was--was this like what had happened at Mandalore, or something else?--but she didn't want to get hit if she slowed up, either. Maybe once they got past the fleet, they could put the shields back up for a minute, linger just long enough to see what this was...

The energy from the flagship transformed into a spidering of darkness, innumerable strands like a web being pulled -

They’d thankfully passed the fleet, they were above it all - just -

A strand caught a ship in orbit and there was a brief scream across the comms and then silence -

But the ship was unharmed, entirely so -

The inky black caressed the Eternal Fleet ships with no noticeable issue -

Del breathed out in horror. “It’s not affecting the droids -“

He reached over for the controls as a limb of energy reached out for them -

They vanished into hyperspace.

Nola sank back in the pilot's seat, letting out a long breath of relief, before reaching over for Del's hand, squeezing tight. "We're okay," she said, more to reassure herself that it was so.

"But what was that?"

“Some kind of dark magic - it was killing sentients and leaving the tech uncompromised.” He was checking the sensor data. “The only life signs left were aboard that flagship - exactly six.”

Del seethed. “I guess it’s the Eternal Imperial Family.” He removed his headset and threw it at the bulkhead. “I really thought we’d beat the dark side madness. Now we’ve another one.” He hesitated. “Unless we’ve just found the mystery behind what happened to Metellos.” They’d had a brief update on that fact; when Zorn had died, Mandalore had been restored, but not Metellos. So it followed that the darksider responsible was alive - and potentially at Nubia now.

This was bad. Really bad.

She flinched at his anger, though she understood; their home was dead, their people were dead. Their families...Nola didn't even know if her father had been on Nubia or not, actually. She hadn't talked to him recently, he could have been off-world, with his relief work. She hadn't heard from her mother in years. But what about Del's family?

She couldn't summon the same anger as her husband, at the moment--she couldn't feel anything, just now, really. She felt...empty, was all.

"We have to tell the Senate," she finally said.

Del nodded. He firmed his lips, and then they trembled. They were safe in hyperspace; in their own bubble of Nola and Del.

He drew her close to him, tears in his eyes.

They’d risked everything; they’d lost everything.

But each other.

Nola pulled him to her, holding him tight as they both wept.

What do we do now?

TAG: @Sinrebirth