Star Wars Legacy of the Force: The Last Stand

IC: The Quintad
Eriadu

They met.

They plotted.

They forwarded it.

The announcement out to all of the Eriadu Authority.

Rivoche Paige-Tarkin had stepped down as the former Senator and present Speaker of the Quintad.

Ethan Malek had been promoted to the position of Speaker effective immediately.

There was disquiet, and there was intrigue. There was anger, and there were cheers.

--
IC: Irek Garonnin
The Malek Estate

The One Sith stood, absently in the shadows. His comlink chimed.

The one he dare not ignore.

"Irek here," he said, swiftly.

It was White Eyes, the leader of the Sith while Lord Krayt slept.

"Have you heard?"

"Yes," Irek paused. "Mundane politics."

"Eriadu has just submitted its formal request to join the Confederation. With the Hapans and Wookiees neutral, this will encourage the Corporate Sector to join, and, without more Imperial support, the GA will hit parity with the Confederation on the Coruscant frontline. If the Remnant withdraws the Megador, the GA will fall."

"I need to damage Eriadu."

"Yes, you do. Spectacularly. Violently. Cripple them, force them to look at their ugliness and even encourage civil war. Paige-Tarkin dying in custody would be perfect."

"What of Malek? Killing him would start a degree of finger-pointing."

White Eyes considered. "Paige-Tarkin would achieve it quicker, and swiftness is our need. The Galactic Alliance may have hours to live."

Irek paused, waiting again. "Shall I send the Nenn twins to find Paige-Tarkin... while I remain on station here?"

"Yes. Keep our options open." With that, the line clicked silent.

Smiling, Irek settled in to wait.

Ethan, for his part, would be flooded with messages, and his staff would have to be called in. That, of course, was the perfect in for anyone looking to sneak into his Estate - as the new staff, given knew jobs to assist with his grand return to politics.

Little did Ethan know that a Sith was watching him...

TAG: @Anedon
---
In orbit, Eriadu

Eriadu, as suggested, was well-defended, and as the team arrived out of hyperspace, they would be interrogated by a Eriaduan capital ship, as was a standard thought. The announcement that Rivoche Paige-Tarkin had been removed from her position and replaced by Ethan Malek would be on the feeds, but there was no Quintad family name connected to the commander of the orbiting warship.

Someone would have to speak up, and take the lead.

But it wasn't a simple thing; hot on their heels was an Action-Keynne XII transport, sporting the colours of the Cavrilhu Pirates, who had relocated to the southern quadrant of the galaxy to avoid Imperial recriminations. Preybird fighters, a half squadron, emerged, and rushed forward. Noted for its luxurious crew accommodations and, in a radical departure from previous Action series transports, it mounted armament on par with a small capital ship. Essentially an upscaled Action IV, it was hard and impressive,



Action-Jeynne XII capital ship

It was impressive, and for the pirates to be attacking here, the capital of the sector, was indicative of far too much.

But yes, it was a good time to arrive and insert into a system...

... no?

TAG: @Anedon, @Adalia-Durron, @adaml83
---
IC: Admiral Babo
The Senate Chambers, Cartann, Adumar

The holo-projectors were already set up, and the guests arriving. They were a mix of military minds, and representatives of states unaligned and aligned. It could best be aligned to a gala or party on Celanon or Canto Bight, but not nearly as charged as one on Zeltros. This was business as usual, and today's business was Victory.

Beyond the Perator, Babo and Rogriss, we also had the Remnant liaison Moff Drikl Lecersen, the sauntering Corellian Chief of State, Sadras Koyan, complete with more disarmed bodyguards than anyone here. Commenori firebrand and leader, Fyor Rodan glared across the room at the Hutt Randa Besadii Diori, even as the Bespinese administrator Lobot kept a neutral expression at what Cloud City had forced him to attend. There were Corporate Sector tycoons, Hapan nobles, Senex Lords, minor officers of the Bothan, Corellian and Commenori military, politicians from all over the galaxy. Conspicuous among them was a Chiss, Shawnkyr Nuruodo, the famous pilot of Vanguard Squadron, though the Chiss Ascendancy was unaligned. The presence of Count Dooku of Serenno was another surprise, considering the world was about to throw one of its infamous balls. Scuttlebutt had it that Dooku was planning to invite the victorious allies to the affair.

There were various pods prepared, and a podium at the center, a more elaborate display of holo-projectors.

Of course, that was the people present.

It didn't reference the double spread of food, one on either side of the lowered area which the seats surrounded. There was a lot of food. Teren Rogriss followed the old Imperial protocol of laying out a full spread; jellies, fruits, soups, meats, drinks both alcoholic and still and sparkling and stirred. And not just caf, but real caf. Brewed, not distilled. The really good stuff.

Everyone seemed to know everyone and it was all manners of cliche.

The conversation was deeply intriguing all around.

I heard that Eriadu formally submitted terms for joining, including Sluis Van and Sullust in their demands!

Rumour has it that the Heritage Council is regrouping for another coup attempt, but Phennir refused to support them any longer.

Did you hear that Jacen Solo has been missing for two days now; maybe Niathal did us a favour and kicked her out?

Hosnian Prime ignored yet another request to assist, which is a shame. If they withdrew from the GA? The war would be over. But their legislature is so tied up in factionalism it'd never agree to anything before next year -

No luck tracking down the Jedi. Apparently an expedition to Tython in the Deep Core is being planned just in-case.

The holoprojectors included plaques indicating who would be present by hologram.

Confederation Supreme Commander Turr Phennir.

Corellian Admiral Delpin.

Bothan Admiral Kre'frey.

Imperial Remnant Head of State Pellaeon (invited, but not expected to attend).

Hapan Queen Mother Tenel Ka Djo (an informal guest of honour, for the only reason the Confederation was winning was due to her recent neutrality in the war).

Above it all was a hologram, depicting a battle.

A protocol droid kindly confirmed on passing them as they entered.

"The Galactic Alliance have sent their infamous Rogue Wing to attack the Confederate Navy gathered near the Coruscant system. This is a desperate stalling action to destroy our minelayers. It is the Supreme Commander's intention to use such weapons to peaceably force the Galactic Alliance to sue for peace. We presently are watching the last moments of Colonel's Aden Kya, Lensi and Saz of Wraith, Rogue and Blackmoon Squadrons."

As such, the potentially final moments of Syal, Rhoen, Da'mina, and Natalia were being aired to sell the Confederate victory.

TAG: @I_am_Kooky, @WarmNyota_SweetAyesha, @galactic-vagabond422, @Adalia-Durron

@adaml83 and Adalia-Durron, finish up your combo as Adam and Adalia please.

Rogue Wing; mentioned, but have an outstanding TAG

 

Interlude II, abridged, taking from Legacy of the Force: Fury

Forest moon of Endor

Luke recognised her and frowned. “I know you, Seha, from the Temple.”

She came to a stop in front of him and nodded. “Yes, Grand Master.” Her voice was faint. Her face was so pale Luke thought she might be on the verge of fainting.

He tried to remember her record with the Jedi Order. She hadn’t been with them long. An orphan since childhood, he recalled. She’d been sponsored to the Order by...

By Jacen. Ah. “There would seem to be some question as to your reliability.”

Seha nodded, agitation making her motion fast, jerky. “Some people don’t trust me.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m a traitor to the Jedi Order.”

Corran Horn’s eyebrows rose. He looked faintly impressed. “Well, I’ll give her points for honesty.”

Luke’s voice was gentle, but now he let an edge creep into it. “So how did you betray the Order?”

“I did things for Jacen. Kept him updated on going’s-on in the Temple. After he became head of the Guard, he asked me to take things into and out of the Temple for him, like spare datapads and replacement electronic components.” She took a deep breath before continuing. “When your son disappeared... I was the one who helped him get out of the Temple without being seen.”

Luke stared at her for a long moment. “At Jacen’s order.”

“Yes.”

Luke looked away from her as his emotions threatens to spin out of control.

This girl had helped effect the plan - had endangered Ben. All out of misguided loyalty to a very bad man.

Luke didn’t bother to keep the anger out of his voice. “How were you found out?”

“She wasn’t. She came forward.” Cilghal put a comforting hand on Seha’s shoulder.

“When we received word about the massacre on Ossus.” Seha blinked, and tears came. “I don’t know how he could do that, send in a crazy man to bargain with youngling’s lives, to torture Kam and Tionne Solusar and kill all those others.” Her tears flowed freely, but she ignored them. “I betrayed the Order... but not like that. I’m not going to do that.”

Finally Cilghal broke the silence. “In fairness, after the Order broke ranks with Jacen and the Alliance at Kuat, when the Guard moved against the Temple to seize it, Seha helped destroy the computers. She carried out a complete set of records and led two Jedi Knights through the undercity”.

Luke cleared his throat to catch Seha’s attention. “You can stay in the Order without going on this mission.”

A brief, uncertain smile flashed across Seha’s lips. “I can?”

“You can. You should. Jacen is... extraordinarily dangerous. If he sees you, he might devote only a single, negligible attack to you. Such an attack would distract a Jedi Master, hurt a Jedi Knight... and kill you.”

They all bowed and, grave-faced, withdrew.

Luke opened his eyes. Kyp stood before him. Luke had neither heard nor felt him coming.

Luke forced his thoughts back to the present. “You’ve been putting together the plan for this mission.”

“Yes.”

“Why is there some doubt as to who is going to lead it?”

Kyp hesitated a moment. “Masters Horn and Katarn have volunteered. I am also willing to lead it. But I haven’t assigned a mission leader yet.... because I think you should lead it.”

“Absolutely not.”

If I lead this mission, I will strike at Jacen with hatred. One of us will die, and Ben will follow our mutual example and be lost to the dark side.

“Here’s my decision. Master Katarn will lead the mission.”

Kyp’s face fell. “Yes, Grand Master.”

“I’ll leave you to to finalise the details.” The conference done, Luke turned back to face the sunlit Endor forest and the momentary peace it offered.

—-
Hapes

It was as though an invisible thrill killer had been on a spree within her palace. Tenel Ka ran past a group of courtiers huddled around an open door; beyond was as uniformed guards woman, her throat skit, blue eyes open and fixed, blood pooling beside her. A few meters past, in a nook frequented by lovers and conspirators, a musician held the curtain aside to reveal a male courtier lying on the floor, his neck at an unnatural angle.

Tenel Ka felt a ripple in the Force at the next nook beyond. She tossed the curtain aside. No scene of murder met her eyes, but there was a hole in the floor, roughly circular, a meter across, its edges smoking.

A security officer running in her wake panted, “Queen Mother, we must precede you!” Ignoring them, Tenel Ka dropped through the hole.

A minute later, Tenel Ka took another ten-meter drop, this time to the roof of a stopped turbolift. She stepped into the access hatch and fell two meters to the lift floor.

The lift doors were open; beyond was the visitors hangar. Here, nothing as delicate as chimes indicated a security breach; shrill alarms screeched. Security and maintenance personnel ran toward her, away from her, some rushing to their alarm-situation duties, some just panicking.

There. Forty meters past the tableau with the shuttle, another vehicle had its engines running. It, too, was surrounded by a security team holding positions behind columns.

Tahiri’s StealthX. The coldness in her gut intensified. She did not need to peer into the visor of the pilots helmet to know who had her daughter. It could only be Jacen.

Another two steps, and Tenel Ka could now just see the top of Allana’s head. Her daughter was in Jacen’s lap, webbing holding him to her daughter. Her head was bowed as though she was asleep or preparing for a crash landing.

Tenel Ka felt a little flicker in the Force - from behind her, not Jacen’s direction. She stopped and spun, igniting her lightsaber.

There was no attack coming from that directions, but the GA diplomatic shuttle was now flush against the hangar’s stone wall. And Tenel Ka’s sense of dread, of anticipated attack, grew.

“Get back!”

Suiting action to words, she leapt behind one of the natural stone columns lining the hangar bay and put her back to it. She turned her head to glance toward Jacen.

He looked straight at her, offering a tight little smile, then held up a comlink. He pressed a button on it.

White filled her world.

 

IC: Cilghal
After; Endor

The informal Jedi Council meeting had ended with Luke returning to his meditations, or, rather, his vacant stare into the forests of Endor.

The tableau of earlier had repeated, but with Cilghal was not just Kyp and Corran, but Saba, Kenth and Octa. Kam and Tionne were still recovering, and Kyle had headed off to prepare his team, though he had asked to speak to Corran at his earliest convenience.

Cilghal struggled to say the necessary. “He hasn’t been himself.”

“No,” Saba said, slamming her tail on the wooden platform in frustration. “He haz not. Soon we will need to forze the debate. We need our longfang.”

Octa shook her head. “We can’t rush his recovery. If we do, we risk his balance, and I don’t want that.”

“It will never happen,” Kenth said, firmly.

“Never would we have expected Master Skywalker to kill Lumiya out of vengeance,” replied Octa, sadly.

Saba’s dorsal bristles rose. “Iz that a challenge?”

“Octa doesn’t want to be Grandmaster,” Cilghal corrected. “She wants Master Skywalker to be.”

“We have a quorum right here. We can decide if we wish to pursue other plans against the GA,” Octa said.

Kenth shook his head. “Against Jacen, you mean.”

“I don’t,” Octa said, stonily. “The GA burned down Kashyyyk, not Jacen. He gave those orders, yes, but we have other targets. Admirals Niathal, Bwua’tu, Limpan, and Darklighter, Captain Girdun, head of the GA... all valid targets in war.”

Saba thumped her tail in agreement. “To ztop Jacen, we need to ztop his ability to wage war.”

The discussion was deteriorating, and Corran and Kyp had the choice to join in or pursue their own agenda’s. Time was passing, and thousands were dying as they dawdled.

TAG: @Corellian_Outrider, @The Real Kyp Durron


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

OOC: Ohhh, someone's mad at Bernael and Renn, lets see how that goes. All hits and movement agreed upon between @I_am_Kooky and @darthbernael

IC Bernael, Renn, Kate, Kara
Onboard the Fury, headed to Serenno

Renn for his part nodded, in agreement at the anger between them, but otherwise ignored Kate as Kara appeared. He kneeled before the girl, "Welcome back, Miss Curious, I'm so glad to see you again. Come walk with me while we walk to go see Bernael." This said with a smile that didn't quite meet his eyes, but did all he could to hide his sadness at her pain from her.

Kara looked up at him, and then looked back down and kept walking. But she did take his hand, she was still processing what happened, her anger and confusion and fear. She was holding her shirt with the other hand with what was left of the droid that Renn built.

Kate watched Renn and Kara go off, and she hung her head low, she wanted to say so many things, good and bad. But at least Kara would have a friend, someone she adored, and despite the doll thing, Kate knew it came from a place of love and caring. She deeply admired and respected that, and was happy someone cared as much as she did about her Daughter. Kara would need that now, someone that wasn't her mother, and she hoped that one day, her daughter would forgive her.

They all headed to the lounge area, Bernael was there in just his usual black silk looking trousers, boots, and shirt, pacing back and forth before the holo table. He paused, for just a moment, seeing Kara holding onto Renn, a tiny smile touched his lips then disappeared. ‘That is good to see, Renn and Kara are good for one another.’

He looked to Kate, saw her anger, and the turmoil that roiled behind her eyes and his expression changed. "I cannot seem to let you off my ship without some sort of chaos, that threatens both you and Kara. So, as I told you you are under my protection until you get back to Adalia, both because of my code and my promise to her, you and Kara are my and Renn's guests. And no I'm not asking this time."

His eyes turned jet black for a moment and just for Kate, a sense of his will, his own darkness, and his iron determination not to allow harm befall them was projected.

Kate glared back at the man, who does he think he is to demand such a thing? A very fine line between being helpful and being kidnapped. "Fine." Kate said tensely, almost growling she didn't like the wave of his thoughts or feelings or whatever he sent her way, she was mad at him too now. "I thank you for once again being there for Kara." she will remain civil while her daughter was in earshot. She wanted off this ship, of this ride, she was feeling trapped again, anger and panic welling up in her mind, her logical mind trying to reason with her, to calm her, but her primal Wookiee heart was beating.

His eyes changed back, his will and the projection stopped being broadcast, and his tone softened, "Kate, you've had two close calls, and code or not, the only way I know you are safe where you go is here. If that troubles you I apologize."

"Please get checked by the medical droid then come to the cockpit, Renn, ensure Kara is checked out too and then, my old friend, show her some of the new droids you've been building."

"You need not remind me of my actions." she tried not to allow her anger through, but could barely contain it. She knew he was being kind, but she was just barely controlling any of her emotions. She saw Renn and Kara already head off, so she waited, allowing them the time to leave, allowing Kara to get away from her a monster of a mother.

She tilted her chin up, pride, defiance, anger, she wasn't sure, but she continued to glare at Bernael, "I need not your medical droid, nor you kindness," she turned on her heel and facing the other direction she spoke "But I will accept your kindness, for Kara" and with that, she walked off.

Bernael watched her walk away, sighed internally, then walked to the bridge. He rubbed a temple as he entered. "Set course for Serenno, for now." He told the pilot.

While waiting for Kate to return he entered his mindscape. 'Are you sure, this one?' he thought, seemingly to no one in particular, as all his souls were locked away and unable to respond.

'Yes.' One word, and one word alone was the response he received.

As he waited for her to arrive he thought back over the many years he had been travelling the galaxy, a state she would find him in when she got there.

Kate remembered the layout of the ship, the rooms she was 'allowed' in and the others she was not. She had no physical injuries that would require the medical droid, but she did have some other injury that needed more than medication. She remembered a training area, not far from everything. She needed to safely release her anger, her pain, she needed to calm down, she needed to punish herself for everything she had just done.

She stepped into the open space, obstacles littered all around. She walked past each one, recognizing the placement and purpose for each. //Just like basic training// she thought running her fingers across a balance beam. She let down her hair and shook it out to let it be free, just for a moment, she then pulled it tight back into a braid that went down her back. She took off the black top she had been given, she didn't want it to hinder her movements. She didn't mind training in her undergarments, humans were weird about modesty, but she wasn't. She didn't need to stretch, her heart was already pounding in her ears, she was ready to go.

She went around each obstacle once, loosing up her body from its tight tense anger. She went around again, pushing herself faster. She went around a third time, faster than before, although she was breathing heavily now, and she could feel her muscles getting sore, it wasn't enough, she was still angry.

She went to the middle of the room where a punching bag swung. She started to jab at it, kick it, trying to throw her anger into the movements, to release it, but it wasn't budging. //You can't outrun yourself// her reasoning tried to intervene. But nope, not having it.

A half hour, and then an hour passed. Shaken from his reverie by the medical droid giving him an update Bernael realized Kate had never returned to the cockpit. He checked the internal sensors, 'Hmmm, the gym, that is understandable given the recent events.'

Standing, he exited the bridge and made his way through the ship. Utilizing his natural camouflage and reducing his presence in the Force, he touched a section of wall by the doorway to the gym. It slid open silently and he stepped through.

Not wanting to interrupt at first, he made his way around the gym observing as Kate went through her routines. 'Very skilled' he thought as he watched, admiring her form and balance. She was obviously skilled. And then she came to the punching bag. He watched her working it, it not moving, however hard she kicked or punched it.

Finally he decided it was time. Dropping his camouflage, "It won't move, you know, it's set for someone else's strength. But perhaps another target would offer a better challenge." He removed his shirt and boots, ensuring his hair was pulled back and up, as he finished speaking.

"A challenge such as I." he said as he sprung lightly and landed, catlike on the training mat.

She wasn’t startled by his ‘reveal’ she was awake, each one of her scenes attuned to everything. She was alive, she was switched on, and she was ready to hunt. Her heart was still hurting, from the exercise or the pain of the guilt that now weighed on it she couldn’t tell but the pain just fed her anger.

"You know what, Fine" Kate snarled. She stepped away from the punching bag and sauntered over to the mat, eyeing this . . .//what did he say antzti? antasc? something. . .// he appeared very human-like, and a male, so if he was close to human, he would physically be stronger than her, but she was a Wookiee, she rarely thought of herself as anything else, and she was mad. . .Mad at him for saving her, twice now, mad at him for letting her and Kara get off at that dust pit of a world first time around, mad at him for not just dropping them back when this first started, it would have been 10 minutes, tops. . . and if he had just done that, None of the past two days would have happened. . .she wouldn't have had to kill a man, she had never done so like that, almost in cold blood, she wouldn't have traumatized her own daughter, he was the reason all this happened, it was his fault and she was going to make him pay for it.

She lunged for him.

He stood still as she lunged. Then, just as she was about to touch him, he simply moved. One second he was standing in front of her, the next he was a step to the side and using her own momentum grabbed and tossed her to the far side of the mat. "Again." he simply stated, waiting.

She picked herself up, mad edging back up into a rage, she needed some part of her brain to actually plan and manoeuvre. She ran up and swung her fist to hit the side of his face

He knew she needed to get out her anger so he let the punch connect. It hit and he turned with it, letting his turn make her fist continue its slide. Taking her wrist he pulled, making her flip from one side to the other, as he pulled his head around to look at her again. "Nice power, again."

Her wrist still being held she suddenly dropped her weight and kicked out at his legs to knock him down.

Sensing her intentions, he leapt slightly, letting his feet fly back but then suddenly pulling them forward, ending on top of her, his knees on either side of her torso. He let go of her hand, and with two swift strikes knocked both hands away, as gently as he could. "Again nice, and now what?"

She got her feet flat on the ground and thrust her hips up, knocking him forward, where she wrapped her arm around his and brought it close, she moved her foot at the same moment to trap his leg, and with her other hand trust it under his armpit forcing him to fall to the side and as she fell with him. She sat back up, untangled from him and pulled herself backwards to get out of his reach.

As she went to flip him, he clamped his arm against his side. She moved to get free and found her hand trapped. As she pulled to get it free, his free hand swiftly moved, clasping the wrist there, flipping his legs up, he scissored them as he turned to clamp them over her arm and across her abdomen, so that, if successful, he could drop her back to the mat. As a challenge he increased the strength he used, 'let's see how far she will go with getting her anger out.’

Using the strength and agility she'd gained, living among the trees of Kashyyyk she pushed hard against the ground and flipped backward between his legs as they closed. She rolled in the flip, feeling a slight strain to her shoulder as she flipped and landed on her feet. A low kick to his arm made Bernael release his grip on her wrist and she backed up a step as he leapt to his feet as well.

He moved toward her, feinting a punch toward her shoulder before she felt his return low kick catch her in the calf.

The momentum of the kick swung her leg, carrying her around, so, using the agility he had witnessed earlier she continued the spin, bringing her back around and raising the leg he had kicked, kicked him in the side, hard enough he took a step to the side to compensate. As she pulled back her leg he reached out swiftly, grabbing it. Pulling back toward himself he spun around her foot, beginning to bend her leg at the knee.

She felt him bend her leg and she fell forward, trying to kick him and planting her hands on the floor, flipping her legs, trying to get one out of his grasp and both over her head and back onto her feet.

He let her go, let her come back to her feet. "You are good, strong, skilled, agile, and quite athletic. But now it's my turn and you will see who the punching bag was set up for."

Before she could reply he simply became a blur. He moved around her as she tried to turn to keep up, 'Pretty fast too.' he thought before he began.

Six precisely targeted but not too hard strikes came in, light enough not to harm her, but given what she had shown, heavy enough to do what was needed. First, he sped around behind her, both hands lanced out palms flat, each hitting the nerve cluster in her underarms, making her arms go limp for several seconds.

A second later both hands lanced out again, hitting precisely on the nerve roots for her legs, just above her hips, on either side of the spine, likewise making her legs go numb. As she began to topple he threw himself backwards, hands hitting the mat and his feet lanced forward, toes hitting just behind each knee, making her legs buckle at that pivot point.

She hit the mat, landing on her back, but he moved ending up as he had the first time they had grappled, but this time with his legs outside her arms, pinning them to her sides, his hands cradling the back of her head to keep it from ricocheting against the mat. He leaned forward, letting her head gently lay back against the mat.

"Opponents come in many forms, and you are quite skilled, as I said, but sometimes there are those who, through what nature has given, are more so. Which is why you are under my protection, instead of the reverse." He sat back upright, and waited for her.

She glared at him, she tried to wiggle herself out, but now he held firm. She tried to kick but was out of reach and her legs were not feeling right. No human could move that fast, nothing she had fought was that smart, and it was a while ago. . .

She had defeated large beasts of fearsome nature, her squad gave her much more respect after that one trip Kashyyyk. But this man, was just better, and used a technique she had heard off, but had not seen or tried. Her arms still feeling slightly funny she tried again, harder to wriggle out from under him. The last person she let pin her this way was her husband, and with that thought her body reacted in a way that she had not wanted.

She stopped moving, worried he might read her mind. She decided that she did respect him, suppose 2000 years of existence would make one good at whatever they set their mind to. Her mind clawing its way back now that she was pinned, defeated, and her body useless. She felt her rage slip away, but not before she screamed at him, no words, just her voice, as loud and as angry as she could possibly muster. She let out the pain that she was now feeling her in body. Her hands were sore, her wrists ached, actually listing what didn't hurt might have been faster, her pain her body slowly building, but was still being overshadowed by the pain in her soul.

Tears escaping, she tried once again to wiggle out of this, her breathing ragged and her voice horse. She didn't want him to see her cry, be called weak, but her strength was abandoning her, her adrenaline was going, she had used it all up. She deserved this, she wanted to be beaten down, punished and she got it, but why did he have to be so smug and so nice about it. She tried glaring, it was all she had left, but even then, she felt just pain in her soul, not the anger, so she closed her eyes and sighed. "you win" she simply said, her voice cracking against her will. She was going to still be stubborn about this, it was all she had left.

She took a deep breath but it shuddered. He had beaten her, so soundly, and so quickly, she was sure the hits she got in were because he allowed it, and yet he had the audacity to say that he was impressed. "You didn't have to come, I did not call for you, nor was I in any danger when you showed up" She maintained, stubbornly. She was glad that at least now she was welcome on board. Nonetheless, she was still a burden to this man and his crew.

//Renn...//, she didn't want to be mad at him. But he was mad at her, and she deserved that. Kara was too, and that hurt even more, completely deserved too. //Oh how am I going to repair that relationship, I went too far// Tears flowing freely as a wave of exhaustion hit. She didn't try to get out from under him anymore. she might as well have a bit of a breakdown, she saw herself still pathetic in his eyes, so why bother trying.

Bernael felt what Kate's mind and body were putting forth, the messages, all of them. It made him think, deeply. And then his reverie was broken by her sobs and her words. He leaned forward, his elbows on either side of her head.

Looking at her he let his mind graze hers, taking the measure of her, of her will, of her strength, of her deep pain, of her desire to fight her perceived weaknesses, of all of her. His fingers reached out, wiping the tears from her face.

He sighed, "This was not a victory, by any stretch, Kate. I tried and tried to not have to show you even a fraction of what I am. But you push and push. Your strength and will, whether you show it or not push you too, make you keep moving forward."

He sat back, keeping his weight off of her, but giving her space, distance should she need it.

"I was already impressed and saddened you had to take such actions on that ship, but I was glad, if I could admit feeling such a way, that I had to come for you again. But this fight did impress me with your strength and will and I will admit I'm glad you are back on board."

"You don’t know what happened. . .they will never speak to me again, . . . .I'm a monster" she whimpered.

Quietly, "There are monsters and then there's those doing the best they can and I know which you are. As do they, even if they don't think so now."

"Stop being nice, I don't deserve it" Kate said, as she started to wallow in her despair, something she despised doing, but she was already at her lowest point in her life, why not see how low she could go.

"Even after that physical display, do you truly not realize there are real monsters? Do you truly need to 'see' what a monster is?"

"No," sounding defeated "Monsters burn planets for kriffs and giggles" keeping her eyes closed, she didn't want to face him, not with her shame. "They capture people for profit, they threaten children. . .”

"Kate, my kind were created by an ancient God, to devour worlds, to consume all sentient life on its surface, and move to the next." Bernael said quietly.

"What?" his words snapped her out of her shame spiral, she looked at him, confused

"Yes" he said, wearily, at the admission but she deserved the truth, moving off of her and sitting next to her. "Renn's nickname for me is vampire, and he's not far off."

"My kind broke from the gods control and follow only what we believe, our own codes, for many thousand millennia now."

"So yes I know real monsters, I am one."

She just lay there, she took a deep breath as he got off her, but she didn’t have the strength to move, so she just turned her head to keep looking at him. She was so confused at his words, tiredness or the emotions or just this past two nothing made sense, so why would this make sense. He looked so, human, his voice wasn't, nor his eyes, but no, . . . "No, . . .you can't be a monster. . .you care. . ." she didn't feel afraid of him, nothing in her instincts said to run or otherwise. . .

In that moment he began to understand what was meant when he searched his mind earlier. "You can say I care because my code does not allow less than that," he said. "I wouldn't have rescued you or Kara, either time, if I did not." He lay down, his eyes going out of focus, "I do not eat, as you do, but when I must, I feed only on those who deserve such a fate, whether on the side of Light or that of the Dark."

"I . . I really don't understand" she said quietly, exhausted from the battle, her mind fogging over. Her arms and legs still feeling slightly jelly-like. She should get up and move, but he might as well be on top of her again for all the strength she could muster. She couldn't move let alone stand. She closed her eyes, she could feel that she was drifting off to sleep, she relaxed, letting herself go, letting her guard down, the physical beat-down helping her mind sort itself out. She wanted to stay, to listen, to understand, he seemed like he was pouring out his heart too, like she had done the day before, but she was struggling. .

She lay there exhausted, he could feel her exhaustion and something rose in him. Her eyes were closed, thankfully, or she would have seen his eyes flashing back and forth between full black and black with the silver irises. Likewise, she would have seen the proboscises in their cheek pouches writhing, as though they were fighting against an unseen force. And truly there was a battle.

Inside himself a battle raged, Bernael's entire belief system his will, his psyche, his being fought against the basest nature of his kind. The war raged across his mindscape, outside only a few seconds passed. In his mind an eternity. In the end he knew he could not remove the compulsion to feed, but he could and had before bent it to his own will, and he did so again. He refused to feed on Kate, and that was the simple fact that won the battle.

And in that instant his eyes returned to normal, and his cheeks stilled. He opened his own eyes, looked down, and internalized a sigh. She hadn't seen, thankfully.

"hmm, you say something" Kate was pretty much asleep now, worn out by the day’s events.

"I was just sitting here. But I can't leave you alone, on the floor of the gym." Bernael stood, then squatted, one arm goes under Kate's neck and the other under her knees. He began to stand, lifting Kate to take her to her room to rest.

“Noo, stop it," she weakly pushed against him "I'm not a child. . .I can walk…”

"Not with the strength your using, but if you insist, then lean against me and I'll make sure you make it to your cabin." He set her on her feet, still carrying most of her weight and moved her to her cabin.

"Nuuhgghgg" she protested, but couldn't do much more. Once they got to the cabin she could barely register Renn and Kara and she fell on to her own bed and was asleep before she hit the pillow.

As Renn and Bernael left the cabin, both Kate and Kara tucked in, perhaps the last thing that would register on Kate's awareness, even almost asleep would be the question Renn posed Bernael and his response. "So vampire, did you allow her to know what you are?" then "Yes, Renn, and she didn't flee in terror." the last said in a tone of surprise and what may be characterized as being pleased.

The conversation however, would continue after her door shut.

"No, really??" Renn said "I couldn't tell by her not fleeing, screaming from the gym."

"So what exactly did you two do in there, as I know it wasn't what two people often do when alone?"

Bernael took a seat on the couch and watched Renn begin to sit, an entire section of floor lifting to act as a seat for him. "I went in, because she was supposed to come to the bridge after the medic and never did. So I searched her out, to speak to her."

"And......" prompted Renn, "I know you didn't just watch her, the emotions coming from that room certainly told me that."

"I did watch, at first. She can move, Renn, very well, and she's skilled. But then an opportunity presented itself. So we sparred." Bernael said, the memory of the fight playing in his mind, a slight smile tugging one corner of his mouth.

"Well she didn't come out on a stretcher, so you didn't use that much of your strength. But that couldn't have been all." Renn too, remembered the emotions he had felt and they ran deeper than simple combat emotions.

"No I did not. But I had to let her get her blows in, she needed that, needed the feel of letting her rage out. She did however also need to know why I could say she was protected here. And so, in the end, I took her down, simply and quickly." Bernael's smile now tugged at both sides of his mouth.

"AND ......" again prompted Renn, knowing much more had happened.

"And that is when the dam of her emotions broke. She finally let much of what she held in out. Which led to her trying to say she is a monster. But I directed her thoughts away from that, letting her know true monsters do roam the galaxy." Bernael said, remembering how it felt to open up, to tell Kate what he was.

"Again, she didn't run out in terror so something tells me she doesn't believe you are one, which anyone with half a brain that knows you could tell, your precious balance demands that you not be one, vampire." Renn tagged Bernael on a shoulder with a fist a with the words.

"She said I couldn't be, because I care. She truly sees it that way." the surprise in his voice obvious.

"Well she's right. For most I can tell it's because your balance demands it, but somehow I think it's more than that with her, for you." Renn looked at Bernael as he said it, feeling for any emotion that showed itself.

Bernael knew how perceptive Renn was, and knew the minimal emotions an Anzat ever revealed were doing so, but did not care that they did. "Well, my old friend, that too is up to her. I know things could go somewhere, but I know her character and I won't push her."

"Doesn't mean I won't push you both!" said Renn with a huge grin as he got up, headed to the kitchen in search of something sugary to enjoy the evening with.

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @I_am_Kooky

 

OOC: A tree and his little friend, dealing with trauma

IC Renn, Kara
Renn's workshop onboard the Fury, headed to Serenno

Kara held onto Renn and her shirt that held all the little bits of the droid. She was so confused and upset but was glad she was back with Renn. Mum was still angry, but the only comfort she could take was that she wasn't angry at her, yet she still felt so guilty.

Renn started to walk off with her still holding her hand. She watched as the medical droid pronounced her healthy, then she walked with Renn back to his workshop. It was just like her Dad's workshop, it even smelled the same, but Renn had so much more stuff.

She dropped the bits of droid on the table and in a small voice. "Mum broke it" but she was feeling guilty about it. "I don't understand why." She looked back up at Renn. "She even said it was a good gift!"

Renn took up the pieces from the table, most of the wood was still as he'd shaped it on his bark before putting it together but much of the interior metal components, necessarily much smaller and fragile were destroyed. He looked down at the words from Kara.

In a quiet tone, "Miss Curious, parents sometimes do things we don't understand. Like this," he gestured to the pieces of XR-10 covering the table, "she didn't hate the droid, she was mad at me because I made it so if something was happening to you I would know and be able to help and had not let her know. Admittedly, I never expected to use it so soon."

He began gathering new components, setting them in places around the good pieces of the original. "Your mom loves you but she was already very upset and XR was something she saw as a thing she could do something about. Adults don't always think through everything and she saw and reacted to my actions without thinking about what it did to you, until later."

Kara watched as Renn seemed to just know what things went together, he was fast and precise. She leaned up against him, and watched for a bit, processing her own thoughts. "She scared me." She said, in almost a whisper, as if she shouldn't have said that out loud. She had seen her mum angry, she had seen her mum annoyed, but since Liam died, she hasn't been herself. She was never quick to show emotion, she was always calm, and in control and just knew what to do. But then. . . She closed her eyes, to try and hide from the memory. . .she struggled to comprehend death let alone that her mum could take someone's life.

He smiled as she leaned against him, intently watching as he began rebuilding the little droid. And then he not just heard but felt the words she spoke. He couldn't help it, the emotions were a raging storm, fear, the inability to understand, the pain of what she had witnessed.

He stopped with the droid, sank down until he could look into her eyes. "Oh, my little friend, what happened? Maybe if you tell me I can help you." He held out his arms, as he sat on the floor, patient waiting to see if she would, could, tell him.

She sat in his arms and started explaining the whole ordeal. How her mum wanted to fly away, but couldn't, how she was being really friendly to the officer, but then a man that looked nervous suddenly pulled a blaster out and threatened the officer. "I was really worried, but mum looked calm. Then your droid made a noise, suddenly mum had gotten the blaster and kicked both the guys, mum held the blaster on the guy who had it." Kara explained waving her arms with the story.

"Then he got another blaster from the girl behind him and he held the blaster at me, saying that he was going to die, then 'BANG' I thought I was going to die, but mum shot him in head with his own blaster, then she shot the girl too, and threatened the officers. " Kara was trembling. "Then the girl wasn't dead, and the officer asked mum to help, but she wouldn't put the blaster down, she asked me to do it, but she stood over me, her legs always touching me. There was blood but then the medic came and. . ."

She was trying to remember right. "Mum said she wasn't going anywhere without me, and the officer wasn't happy, but mum gave up the blaster.... Then she washed the blood off my hands and told me it wasn't my fault but. . ." She whimpered. . . " If I wasn't there, or I hid better or, then she wouldn't have done it. . .it's my fault the man is dead" she was sobbing now.

Renn held Kara as she poured out the tale of what had happened on board the ship. As it progressively grew darker he closed off access to his mind, not wanting anyone, especially the vampire right now, to sense his emotions or thoughts. Outwardly he remained a cheerful presence, so as not to alarm Kara further, inwardly he was getting more and more mad. He had felt much of what happened on the ship, through XR-10, but he didn't know fully until Kara told him.

As she began to cry he hugged her, letting her feel his warm presence and that she was safe right now. "Oh, little Miss Curious, I'm so sorry that happened to you. That man sounded like he would have done anything and that is nothing a 10 year old should ever have to see or be subjected too. But please, please do not ever blame yourself. You go where your mom goes and that is how it should be, but you cannot control the actions of others. If it hadn't been you, he would have threatened someone else. I've been a parent before," the last said with a catch in his voice. "and a parent will do anything to protect their child. It sounds like that was exactly what Kate did when she shot the man and the woman."

At the mention of Kara having to hold a wound shut his eyes shifted from their normal yellow green to full, deep yellow, and then back as he realized Kara might see. "I can't say why your mom would have had you hold that woman while she lay there, but I will ask. That too may be one of those things I said where adults don't think about what they are doing until later. But you're here now, safe and with your big tree. I won't let things hurt you again, as long as I possibly can. And I know your mom thinks the same, where it comes to her and you, she must be worried about you."

He sat there, hugging her, rocking slightly, and hoped that his words helped, in any way.

She calmed down, just enjoying being held. "I miss Daddy"

“I'm sure, Kara. And I'm sure your dad loves you very much, wherever he is. You are a special young woman." He continued rocking, holding her as long as she needed.

"mum says hes gone, he probably died in the attack, Liam died while we were escaping. I miss him too. . . " Kara sat for a long while, thinking it all over, then it occurred to her. She twisted in Renn's arms and looked him dead in the eye. "Don't be mad at mummy.... Please, she is not herself at the moment, and I miss her too"

"You've seen so much, had so many things happen to you, Kara. I'm sorry I wasn't there to help. I will talk to your mom, but... I will try not to be mad, because you asked."

His anger simmered, but he could not, would not disappoint his little friend. 'Kate, you are lucky to have Kara.' he thought. "I know there is a lot going on with your mom, and I want to help her too, but I just hope she will listen, she is a strong minded person, and doesn't move away from how she feels easily, it seems."

Another thought came to mind, "What do you think of Bernael?" partially to try to occupy her mind with something else, partially because he truly was curious what she thought of their host.

"he's okay, I guess. . . haven't really had a chance to talk to him.. I've been with you." Kara thought about it, the dark man that can disappear, but didn't think much else. She looked down at her shirt, it still had blood on it. "I want a new shirt"

Thinking for a moment, "I know just where we can get one, but shhhh, don't tell Bernael, he's the only one with a closet full of clothes so we have to sneak into his room." He unwrapped his arms so she could get up, and they could leave the workshop to find her a new shirt.

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @I_am_Kooky

 

IC Ethan Malek, Marie Firestone, Adrian Malek, Kael Swiftflight, Ilona Malek (always a lot of fun you guys thank you!!)
Malek Appartments - Eriadu.


When he heard his door bell ring again Ethan sighed, he had just heard that Harro had promoted him to the position of speaker in Rivoche's place. Why can´t this galaxy just leave this old man alone? He had been just about to retire and now he would be forced into taking a political position once more. Out there where probably the first of the "staff" that Harro was organizing for him. But he got up nonetheless and opened the door dutifully. His tiredness imminently vanished as he saw who was waiting there. "Thank the gods," he muttered as he saw his son. Adrian stepped forward and hugged his father, glad to be finally home again. "Easy boy," Ethan said smiling. "Your father isn't the youngest anymore."

After Adrian stepped back Ilona hugged her father as well before she turned to introduced the others. "Dad, these are Marie Firestone and Kael Swiftflight, some of our new... traveling companions. Marie, Kael, this is Ethan Malek, Ace of the Rebel Alliance, and former senator of Eriadu."

"Not so former anymore it seems," Ethan said with a sad smile as he offered the two strangers his hand, "but we can talk about this later."

Marie smiled and took the mans hand. "A pleasure and an honour Sir." she said with respect. If she was honest she'd not heard his name before nor was she aware of his efforts during the Rebellion but that mattered little at all. He had been a Rebel and that was all she needed to know, it meant he stood for what was right in the Galaxy.

"Sir?" Ethan raised an eyebrow, amused. "Don't know what my kids have told you but I was born into this world just like you." Hating it when people treated him like some sort of high born he wanted to make this clear to these strangers from the start.

Marie's cheeks flushed slightly. "Understood." she said stepping back but thinking she maybe unable to do that, allowing Kael, who'd been looking outwards for threats to step forward.

Kael was paying more attention to the outer world, there was a group that was supposed to meet him, but he didn't know when or where. He was partially listening to the conversation when he received a sharp elbow jab in the ribs from Marie. That's a lot like HQ... He winced and shook Ethan's hand, "Sorry I've been given plans, but I don't know the who, when, or where. Given the role I usually have, it's different from what I usually do." He shrugged apologetically.

Marie rolled her eyes as they entered the apartment before leaning close to Kael. "What plans? And I'm Addie's eyes and ears, shouldn't I know?" she hissed.

Kael lowered his voice, "Well...yeah, but none of the things we were going to talk to him about should really be said in public."

"Then I would suggest we sit down together and talk about it," Ethan responded now serious again. Ilona who had just taken a breath for a biting response to Kael´s words bit her lip and followed the others into the room.

Marie's brown eyes widened. "We aren't public, and we weren't on board coming here either!" She was annoyed she was being left out of the loop.

Kael sighed, "Well I didn't know myself until we got in range of the orbital satellites around the planet, and I didn't have much of a chance to really look at it until after we landed." He sat down and then looked at the Malek family, "Sorry again, what was initially planned from both Adam and Adalia, was for Adrian here to at least get back here to reunite with his family. We had another reason when we were attacked leaving Taris, and we brought footage we'd like to show you with your permission."

Kael was feeling awkward now he wasn't used to giving briefings out, usually, someone else would point out something for him to blow up and he'd do it. "And the final reason is that we heard odd rumors of what I'm guessing are assassins looking to kill you and another leader from another family." He glanced around at the rest of them, "Part of what was sent me was that one of our friends is sending a team this way to assist with the other family at least, maybe more, but that's all I know right now about that. This was mostly coming from Adam's droid, Tawg," Kael looked directly at Marie, "You know how that droid can be..."

Marie rolled her eyes again. "That droid should have a restraining bolt on it." She stated. "Yeah, I get it. Let's see what you've got then."

"So someones trying to kill me again?" Ethan said lowering his head. That had become an integral part of his life since he had been made a senator. "Who is it this time?"

Kael grinned at Marie's comment, "It won't work..." before looking back at Ethan, "That's the problem, we don't know. All I know is that there's some group that seeks to destabilize and they've been responsible for a lot of problems for both sides, but it's always whispers."

"Whispers or not, we will protect as best we can Sir" Marie said seriously and using a title to show her respect.

Ethan rolled his eyes, it was already too late now, they would treat him like a superior it seems. "Glad to hear that," he said quietly, giving the woman a smile. "Though my life has just become a lot more complicated. The Quintad has named me speaker."

Both Ilona and Adrian gasped before congratulating their father. "The speaker is basically the foreign minister of Eriadu," Adrian quietly explained to Marie.

Marie raised an eyebrow, the new title sounded somewhat impressive. She'd noted the older man roll his eyes and felt bad but respect was instilled in her from an early age and serving the GA had given more to her. She couldn't help who she was. "Congratulations Speaker Malek., but I suspect we now know why you've been targeted."

"Oh?" This time it was Ethan who raised his eyebrow. "From what you said the danger has already been approaching for quite some time, so before I was made speaker, which only happened because of a decision I made earlier tonight. So the only motive I see would be personal. I have made several enemies in my life."

Marie considered for a moment. "No.....I was thinking the way it came about may have been......orchestrated? Could be wrong." She shrugged, "Ignore me Sir, I'm often wrong." she gave him a warm smile.

This time Ethan chose to simply ignore the Sir, "But why? Why would anyone want to kill a minor, largely disrespected Noble?" He asked giving Ilona a glance as she was just about to protest her father calling himself "disrespected".

Kael nodded towards Marie, "She's not entirely incorrect. Early on in this some group, who only Jacen Solo knows at this point since he handled the investigation, attacked and killed the Corellian Prime Minister on Toryaz Station. It may be the same group that performed that or one associated with them. They may not even have anything beyond further destabilizing the galaxy."

He gave a small shrug, "Any reason they have might not make any sense to us."

"If they seek to destabilize the galaxy, wouldn't a member of the Quintad make more sense?" Ethan wondered.

Kael shook his head, "Your family wasn't the only one, I think....Tarkin was mentioned as part of the other family's name? My information isn't clear on this."

"There's a name." Marie muttered.

Ethan shivered for a moment. Was Rivoche the actual target? "I've been good friends with the Tarkin Matriarch for many years, maybe they are after me to get closer to her?"

Marie had no idea, so remained silent.

Kael shook his head, "I don't know, I do know that it would probably help if we try to get more information, or even try to make sure we unify our sources into one information stream. It would probably be easier to come up with a plan of action that way."

"I think first," Ethan said with a gaze to his kids. "We should talk about what happened in the last few days, you have to forgive but I haven´t been in contact with my kids for some time now."

Kael nodded, "And your son is the one who knows most of the story."

Adrian and Ilona began to recount their adventures to their father. It was a long conversation as Ethan asked many questions. Especially concerning the nature of the information that had lead them here. But what he gathered helped him little to get a clearer picture on the possible reasons for someone to have him killed. Whoever they are, they seem to pick their tagets oddly specific. After they had finally finished the report there was only one question left on his mind he turned to Marie and Kael. "So your Commander, Adalia Tehanis, do you know if she has any relations to Amber Tehanis from Bakura?"

Marie smiled as she looked down for a moment. She knew Adalia had reconnected with her cousin some 18 years previous when Amber had handed over the lightsaber Adalia now carried. "Colonel Tehanis, yes, they are cousins Sir." She paused, as she knew more. "Their grandmother, was a Jedi who left the order just prior to the purge as she met and fell in love with their grandfather. Amber's mother and Addie's father are siblings, and before you ask, yes, they are similar in appearance. Amber used her grandmothers surname during the Rebellion I believe to hide her identity. They both apparently take after their grandmother."

"Amber surely did," Ethan said with a smile. His friend had mentioned having a cousin a few times to him but he had known nothing about her, not even her name. "She was a friend of mine in the rebellion and even today we occasionally send each other messages. Though now with the war lines of communication have become rather unreliable."

Marie smiled at the older man. "You speak of her with affection, like I do of Addie. I guess they both inherited that gene as well. I never met Amber but I have seen holos of her and her husband and son. They are very much alike."

"She was a friend during a time when I had only very few. We've been wingmates back then, saved each others lives on more than a few occasions." Ethan's voice took an almost dreamy tone as he thought back to those days.

Marie nodded. "An Ally if needed then? I am sure the Colonel would agree. So," she turned to the others. "What's our next move team?"




@Sinrebirth @Anedon @adaml83

 

IC Adalia Tehanis
Hawkbat Base.


After closing her connection with Adam, Adalia got a case of the guilts. Cubber had left her in a somewhat bad mood and she knew it was her not only prank, but her apathy that had caused it. She had to set this straight and it didn’t take long. She dragged Cubber to the ship and showed him what she’d done in reality. Picking at the edge, she showed him the entire design had been painted and decorated on a clear sticking material that could be peeled away to leave the ship unscathed. Cubber softened instantly but made a decision to leave it on there for Adam to face. She wasn’t going to argue with that. It’d been a long day and after finding something light to eat she’d made her way to her quarters. In all honesty she didn’t like them, cold sparse and empty. So very empty. Slipping into the green sweatshirt she’d insisted he leave behind she curled against his pillow and fell into a deep sleep.

Screams, children were screaming in the distance, just out of reach. More voices all screaming in terror, men, women and children begging, screaming, pleading and dying. Shadows fell, people were falling, so much screaming as the shadow crawled over the land and their screaming ceased up on their collapse. Shadows stretching, turning light to dark as they went, moving and taking without care for the screams, unable to hear those begging for mercy, unwilling to listen to those pleading for life. The shadows are darker now, and in the centre a tall figure stood, the wind whipping the black cloak around the body, a hood covering the head. Slowly the figures arms became outstretched which was followed by an almost maniacal laugh. At his feet were Marie, Adrian, Ilona and Kael. Their arms reaching toward the edge of the shadows, their faces twisted in agony, they were screaming as well, they were dying.


Adalia sat up breathing heavily, the vision had woken her. The team on Eriadu were in danger, there was a Sith there!


TAG @Sinrebirth @Anedon @adaml83

 

OOC: A fun combo with @Sinrebirth

IC Bernael and Eris
Eriadu

The shuttle he’d left his Fury from made it’s approach to Eriadu. The flight plan he’d filed was that of a high class businessman headed to the planet for some business negotiations. Landing on a private pad, he spoke briefly with the Customs officer, getting himself and his ship cleared for his short stay before ensuring he was equipped for what was to come.

He headed out, touching base with one of the more independent cells of the Society, obtaining the information he needed to complete what he wished to accomplish. Finding the restaurant that he’d been told his target would be dining at this evening, he took up station on a rooftop, reducing his presence in the force to almost nil while he waited. As evening fell he saw what he was waiting for, his target entering the restaurant. Dropping into the alley of the building he’d been crouched atop he checked his clothes, before heading into the rear of the restaurant.

Once inside it was a simple matter of a bribe to one of the servers and he was able to outfit himself as the dress code there demanded. Gliding through the dining room he snagged what he’d heard his target request as wine as well as a carafe of water before making his way to their table. Positioning himself to the side, not that people at such a restaurant truly even noticed a waiter, he pitched his voice to the closest match for the waiter who had been serving that table, “Something to drink, Ma’am?”

Eris, happy with her progress today, absently nodded to the waiter. It was all going very well, after all. The Confederation would accept their terms because they needed Eriadu’s fleet, and that would be all that would be thought about.

She’d had her accountant ready to liquidate all her shares in both worlds, making her profit now she knew the assets were about to burned to the ground. Next she’d reinvest them in a few dozen civilian construction companies and prepare to send them to rebuild the world’s and make an even greater profit when she overcharged on the precious metals that her other companies dug up on Sullust - because the Quintad would pick her Eriaduan firms at her suggestion.

It was very neat and tidy.

“I think I’ll have a nice emerald wine tonight. Pre-Clone Wars vintage, please.”

In the same voice, “Excellent taste, Ma’am.” Bernael responded. He turned, stepping as though he was departing then returning, letting the sounds echo as they should. He uncorked the bottle and before reaching for her glass, held the cork before her to allow her to inhale the aroma.

A tight, almost smile crossed his face, as the sleeve of the waiter’s dress uniform slid up his arm as it extended, revealing the typical black silks he wore when not in armor. “Does the vintage meet your approval,....Eris?” the voice asked as it changed pitch and timbre into one that was very familiar to her.

She straightened up almost immediately, turning to look at the man, and recognizing the Anzati immediately. “I thought the Society had -“

Eris narrowed her eyes, all venom. “I have her safe, and I didn’t kill her. I remembered the rules, vampire.”

She glared at him, holding her wine glass but not sipping from it. Eris was a member of the Quintad. She knew what she was allowed to do, and not, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t exploit her position to its fullest.

The waiter’s costume seemed to vanish, draped over one of the seats. Bernael set the bottle of wine on the table and took the seat opposite Eris. He looked directly at her, one eyebrow raised, the corner of his mouth quirking up, “Vampire, is it? Hmmm, but when one isn’t ‘born’ into the Society one must make allowances.”

He sat, upright, but obviously relaxed. “You believe I came because I thought her dead?” He snorted, the closest he would appear to being amused. “I have my own ways to know whether certain bloodlines are still alive or not, outside the Society’s assistance. So I know she yet lives.”

His eyebrow lowered and now more black began to swirl in his eyes, his voice now a more dry, dark monotone. “No, I came for a different reason. You know the reason the Society exists, and when I make use of it, I do not expect to be ignored. When I do not hear from the one I am speaking to, I must take time from other, important, endeavors, to find out why.”

“Because the war could be won! We need to do something or we’ll become irrelevant! We’re facing Jacen Solo, and I was led to believe that a scion of this Skywalker line falling to the Dark Side was the worst thing that could ever happen!” Eris hissed. “We can’t be timid. You’ve undoubtedly heard the rumours about his connection to Lumiya. If he’s a Dark Lord of the Sith - if! - then this is our generation’s Palpatine. This is our Clone Wars. This is the point where the galaxy is on the edge of enslavement for twenty years, with another twenty year conflict consuming us; weakening us.”

“Then we have another Vong and 364 trillion dead? Someone is always watching, waiting, ready to pounce. You taught me that. The Nagai, the Sith, the Vong. What will it be this time?” Eris was biting in her response, but it was reasoned.

She’d intervened out of a genuine fear for the future.

Yes, she was a politician, but she simply couldn’t sit still when she had the power to change things.

“I’m sorry but Eriadu has to do its part to save the galaxy.” And she was sorry, you could feel it in the Force. It was wrapped up in self justification and banal power plays, but at her heart she sincerely believed she was doing the right thing.

That she was exercising her right to do right.

At this he sat back slightly, pouring a small amount of the wine and swirling it in the glass. “You do know my own feelings on politics. You are in power for several reasons, including doing what you can to assist this world. The galaxy is certainly in a state of flux. And yes, Jacen is a Dark Lord of the Sith, I’ve been less than a dozen paces from him and could sense it.”

He took a sip, and while the alcohol had no effect, or gave him any nutrients, he did believe it was a decent vintage. “My appearance here was not due to politics or vanity, but rather that I’d not heard from you, not known what was going on besides reports from other cells that Paige-Tarkin was taken.”

As he began to take another sip, he first felt her apology through the Force, nodding slightly, then his hand froze, the glass almost to his lips. “You are absolute in your certainty you have her? I get the sense that you are about to fall from favor, when your prisoner dies in your custody. You see, he is not the only Sith about and someone wants to send a message..”

"Not the only... Sith?" Eris blinked. "There is already a second Sith?"

She trembled. The Eriaduan had hoped that Lumiya's reported death would have meant there was only one for a time, and if they killed Solo quick enough - assuming Bernael was right, and he was, annoyingly, rarely wrong - then the Sith would be done.

But she swallowed her fear. "I am absolutely certain. I made sure to have multiple retainers take care of it; cells, almost. Only one person of the four in each group knows of the other, and you break the chain, be it by them using poison or whatever, then you can't find Tarkin. Even I don't know where she is, and I have regular reports planned that she is safe, or, indeed, reports that if they do not arrive, I can ascertain that she is not safe. See this -"

A comlink appeared in her hand. "In exactly three minutes, it will ping, and I will know she is safe for another hour."

"If she did die in custody though..." Eris frowned, her political nuance shoving aside her concerns. "There would be unrest, but the pro-GA faction is not that strong." Well, it was 2/5 of the Quintad. Which was enough, but Eris could simply build that into her calculations, prepare preemptive strikes on those Families. "But why would anyone want to murder Tarkin? She's annoying, yes, but her dying in custody would just sow disorder."

Bernael swirled the wine more, watching the ripples of it, as it rose against the sides of the glass. “I didn’t say he made another, but if the galaxy at large is that naive that there would always only be one or two then the Sith already have the advantage.”

He leaned back, watching her, “There are at least two points of deep darkness on Eriadu right now. And that doesn’t take into account whoever else they may have on planet that is simply aiding them.”

Placing the glass back on the table, a half smile touching his lips as he saw the wine almost flow over the lip of the glass. “You can protect her as much as possible, but nothing is ever guaranteed. And yes, disorder is exactly what is wanted. She’s not the only target, but the two I know of are important enough to cause Eriadu to debate joining or taking part on either side.”

Eris couldn't fathom the depths of Sith religion, and frankly didn't want to. But two?

She stroked her chin. "Could it be Jacen himself? He is missing, according to every Intelligence report I can obtain..." Eris was applying herself to Bernael's conundrum, happy that she wasn't simply dead. She could have been, of course. "And two targets?"

With a sigh, she sipped the wine at last, convinced it wasn't poisoned by his drinking of it. "Have I made myself a target?" Her comlink pinged, on time, and Eris nodded to it as she held her glass. "Well, Tarkin is safe at present, so."

Bernael observed Eris as she worked through the tangle of what was occurring. For all her political striving she was highly intelligent. But sometimes people got hung up too much on the one thing before them and not what was truly out around them.

“Jacen is missing, yes. But no, the feeling here is not from him, I’d know. And it ‘tastes’ different to use a turn of phrase. As though it’s a different variety of darkness.” He sipped again from the wine, the corner of his mouth turning up at the fact she’d waited for him to drink first. “Yes two, Paige-Tarkin and the one you so conveniently replaced her with. Both have ties to the Tarkin family, one by blood and one having worked with the Grand Moff. But it’s not just their ties, it’s their relative importance to Eriaduan society that would cause the chaos.”

He heard the ping of her receiver and was glad that his hand was raised with the glass and hid the smile that darted across his lips. “And when would be the absolute perfect time to carry out such an assassination except directly after the one hiding the target had been informed they were safe? At least that’s how I’d do so.”

Eris worked her jaw, seeing the simplicity of it. GA Chief of State Cal Omas had less than a month ago been arrested by Jacen Solo and Cha Niathal, and his death in custody a week ago had caused the Jedi and Hapans to leave the GA at the crucial Battle of Kuat. It was one thing to arrest someone, it was another to kill him. Society and it's myriad factions could accept one but not the other.

What a bother.

Chagrined for not seeing the pattern she was walking into, she looked at the dapper Anzati. "I shall have to be exceptionally careful with her..." Eris trailed off. "And Ethan being a target as well... he is old, so I could potentially claim he had died of old age, but I need to be alive to do that... but if I release Tarkin, she'll become an active factor and I can't guarantee Eriadu will join the Confederation... and stop Jacen."

She paused, still thinking aloud. "Unless I let her out when the Confederation agrees to our demands. Then she'd be powerless to prevent our membership... surely I can keep her safe for a few days? Surely you can?" Eris smiled somewhat.

Of course, she didn't know that Eris had diverted him from his business with Count Dooku of Serenno, and the collection of a very dangerous Sith Holocron.

Bernael sighed, setting the wine back down on the table, ‘Last thing I need is another passenger.’ he thought. “I take it you didn’t read all of what I sent in the messages. I have some associates who would, how should I put this….., be much put out if something happened to the elder Malek. So the Society will assist them in protecting him, especially if you,” a half smile formed at the political trap she’d set herself, “are so dead set on bringing Eriadu into the Confederation.”

He sat back, thinking for a moment, “I could take her, yes, and if she disappeared that thoroughly then I doubt the Sith after her would find her, but would add another front I would have to counter rather soon. They’re not due for my attention for some time to come.”

“As well, I’m on something of a tight schedule, I had to,” his silver eyes narrowed slightly, “take a detour, to come here personally, from something I am working on. I’m expected back rather soon.”

His datapad chimed. Looking down at it the tiny smile appeared on his face for a moment before his face stilled. “Speaking of those associates, some of their people seem to have recently arrived, and your name somehow came across their attention as my point of contact here, so that will also need your attention.”

Eris looked apologetic. "No, I didn't read the message... but I do hope I haven't interfered too much in your plans."

"As to these others... I will speak to them, and assure them that all will be fine... perhaps I'll warn them about your Sith wandering around. I do have very good sources of Intelligence after all." She collected the comlink from the table, standing as it was time for her next appointment. Pausing for a moment, she held it out.

"I do have a spare, should you want to be kept updated?"

Of course, she didn't catch the hint about the Confederation, so blinkered that she was.

Bernael took the comlink, letting it synch with his wristpad, before tucking the device in a pocket. He stood as well, looking first to the service station, taping his pad again and covering the cost of whatever had been spent at the table before turning toward Eris once more.

“The name of your contact is in that message, so they may either look you up in the planetary database or simpler may be to touch base with this Ethan Malek as I’m sure he will be one of their first stops.”

The corner of his mouth turned up for a moment, realizing she was focused on goals she had set she may not see all the implications of the chaos to come. “Ensure Rivoche stays protected, I gave my word to her forebearer that I’d watch over the family, something I haven’t always done well but I will not fail an old comrade. But the elimination of either will cause chaos, not just here, but across the galaxy, especially when politicians realize they could be next on the list of some mysterious opponent.”

He checked his pad again, noting the time. “But I’ve been away more than long enough from what I was attending to and must return. Ensure both targets remain alive, I do not wish to involve the Society Elders and cause havoc in the Eriaduan economy and political structure if the Society must be reordered here.”

Eris beetled her brow at Ethan being mentioned, but nodded and let him go. "Lord Bernael, thank you for your time. I appreciate that it is valuable, and I had no intention of interfering with your Grand Design."

She curtsied, and managed not to ask about the Tarkin forebearer.

He nodded at her, before stepping away, seeming to disappear among those in the restaurant as he headed for the entrance and the spaceport, to return to his shuttle.

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, (@Adalia-Durron, @Anedon, @adaml83 As the other team there to protect Ethan)

 

IC: Irek Garonnin
Malek Estate, Eriadu

Ethan Malek, Marie Firestone, Adrian Malek, Kael Swiftflight, Ilona Malek...

The One Sith grinned to himself.

All names that were truly catches, especially if connected to the Jedi as everyone suspected...

He absently lifted his comlink, ready to message He Who Should Not Be Named, or, White Eyes, or perhaps even Wyyrlok... but Irek had no desire to play politics today. The other Sith; Ardeur, Insipid, Dician, even the Nynn twins; they had their own personal stakes in this conflict. Arduer and her dying assassin project; Insipid and his Rogue Wing; Dician and her Confederate contacts; the Nynn twins picking off the Jedi...

Irek wanted his piece of the action; to become the shadow ruler of Eriadu, perhaps?

Not at the expense of the One Sith Order itself, of course - not like Insipid.

As such he opted not to report this development, and slink in the shadows as he arrived.

That gave Adalia a limited time to warn the others of her visions... but Irek was also tempted to just trip the alarm and feed on their fear. He filled the Force with his malaise, preparing to make them uneasy, to make them paranoid, to make them angry with each other...

TAG: @Adalia-Durron @adaml83, @Anedon (combo)

TAG: @The Real Kyp Durron @Corellian_Outrider; outstanding from Endor

TAG: @WarmNyota_SweetAyesha, @adaml83; outstanding from last week for Adumar

TAG: @galactic-vagabond422, @I_am_Kooky, @Adalia-Durron; outstanding from last fortnight for Coruscant minelayer battle

 

OOC: Almost time for the ball, with @I_am_Kooky

IC Bernael, Renn, Kate, Kara
Onboard the Fury, headed to Serenno

There was a knock at the cargo hold hatch, something Bernael was not expecting while in here going through one of the cabinets that served as a clothing repository. He was swiftly realizing he needed to update his wardrobe to current fashions if he were to enter the court of a noble. But there was that knock. “Who is there?”

“Vampire, if you truly don’t know it’s me out here, there is something seriously wrong.” A wave of his hand and the hatch opened to allow Renn to enter, closing swiftly, and locking, behind him.

Renn looked around, not much had changed since last he was here, but he wasn’t here to just check out the various gadgets Bernael had. Clearing his throat, “Sooooo, how did Kate and Kara end up on your ship?”

Bernael thought for a moment before responding, “I was at the base where Colonel Adalia, and others, were located, those two as well, and was preparing to depart for this trip. I believe the supply droid left the hatch open and first Kara, then Kate, somehow got onboard and were still onboard when I departed.”

Renn laughed, “You mean to tell me the mighty Bernael somehow took off without both his security and his senses knowing those two were here?”

Bernael considered this, “Yes that does seem off, I should have known within seconds, at least from the security system, that they were onboard.” A quick check and, for some reason, the system only showed the presence of his droids and himself prior to liftoff. “It seems there was a security lapse, something I must check out.”

“Security, fine, but you? You’ve not missed someone coming within a dozen meters of you since I’ve known you. Kriff, you knew it was me outside the door before I even entered so something is off, what is it?” Renn looked at Bernael, scanning what he could, of the Anzat. His presence in the Force began to tell him what may be a problem, but he wanted to see if the other knew before he said anything.

“No idea, I know I sensed them, even on Kashyyyk, when it was burned, so at that close range I should certainly have sensed them.” Bernael closed his eyes for a moment and did a self examination. As he did, a ghostly echo sounded in his mind, ‘Out of balance.’

His eyes opened. “You know my mission, but sometimes things are more direct than a feeling.”

Renn sighed, “Well, your Force signature is all over. I remember when we first met and that it was as close to perfectly balanced as one could be. Now it seems to be swinging more and more toward darkness. I know you too play the long game, but this doesn’t seem like a short term thing.”

It was Bernael’s turn to sigh, “Yes, I have been away but when I returned, the only options that seemed to work, from the start, were the darker ones, and I’ve been getting warnings that my own balance is out of order.”

A small, knowing smile came to Renn, “But, and maybe you should think about this, in the last few days, and I couldn’t say why, old vampire, it’s seemed to move more toward center. Something to consider, especially why you seem to be centering, and just in the last few days.” Not wanting to give away all the details, the vampire was smart enough to figure it out, Renn turned, leaving Bernael to his musings, and whatever else he had been doing, in the hold.

~*~*~*~

Kate wanted to go speak to her daughter, but wanted to calm down a bit first. She brushed the cookies crumbs out of her hair and looked at herself in the mirror. It had been a long time since she had been that mad. She still felt in her chest, the leftovers of it, she was probably mad about so many other things, but that one had to be addressed. She just needed to get back to her ship. . .maybe she could ask Bernael for permission to use the holonet and she could start researching jobs and locations to move to.

Kate went by the kitchen and walked in only to have the droid hover in her face "What can I get you, you are forbidden to cook it yourself" She rolled her eyes, "Yeah, yeah, can I please have a roast Nuna roll please" "Of course" and the droid wandered off. She sat in the kitchen, she couldn't see any burn marks, and she couldn't smell anything either, just the cookies from breakfast. Promptly the droid returned before she got lost in her own thoughts. "Thank you" and she walked out, Past Bernael who was looking at something in the lounge and down to Renn's workshop.

She stood in the doorway and saw him, helping Kara weld something together and explain how it was working, She smiled as it was kinda cute. She came up to the table and placed it down next to Kara. Kara looked back up her confused. "Kara, you are a growing woman, and you need to eat something a bit more substantial than cookies." Kate said in her motherly voice.

Kara tilted her head, looked back at Renn, and then back at her mum. "Thanks Mum"

Kate bent down and kissed her on the top of her head as Kara had gone back to work "Your welcome sweetie" and with that, she felt she was no longer needed and headed back out to talk to Bernael.

~~~~

Bernael had finished in the cargo bay, closed up all the lockers he’d opened, ensuring they were secured. Exiting the bay he let the biometric scanner take the required genetic sample for the next entry time, before heading to the main lounge to research and send a pair of messages. Entering there, he waved the holo table on, opening both his research files and the comm. First the messages. The first he sent to both the droid of Adam’s that he’d last messaged and Adam himself, the other was to Adalia.

*Tawg, Adam,

Your team is walking into a trap. Not Ethan’s but there are at least two Sith on Eriadu. I would believe one is currently attempting to ascertain the whereabouts of Rivoche Paige-Tarkin; The other must be preparing their attempt on Ethan. Eris Harro-Hublin has been, well, reminded that she needs to touch base with your team and perhaps between the Society aid and what you have onplanet the Sith can be contained. If you need anything else in regard to this advise me.

Bernael*

He sent the first message to both recipients before turning to the second.

*Adalia,

To begin, Kate and Kara are doing well. Currently enroute to Serenno and once what I need to accomplish there is done I will return them to you at Hawkbat. However that is not all I have for you. What are on Eriadu to assassinate Ethan Malek and Rivoche Paige-Tarkin are at least a pair of Sith. They are not associated with Jacen Solo, but seem to be of a different faction, looking to cause chaos among the governments of the galaxy with this attempt. I have a team aiding Adam’s team, but more, personally, I cannot do at this time. For one, I would not hazard your friends I have onboard in the attempt and for two, what I am currently occupied with is of more necessity than the descendant of an old friend or the parent of one of your friends, I am sorry to say.

Bernael*

The second message sent he closed the comm and turned his full attention to the research.

~~~~

"So. . ." Kate said entering the room and sitting down on the couch. . ."Serenno Huh. . .Whatcha doing there?"

Bernael turned from the holo table, the display showing information about the current Count, a relative of the Count Dooku of Sith infamy, as well as other noble houses. One was picked out with an asterisk. "Serenno, I am going there because the current ruler has discovered an item in his family vaults that he would rather part ways with, an item I could find some use for. So I must go, acquire my introduction to him, and gain possession of the item. It sounds simple enough but the logistics can be tricky."

"Well, that sounds like fun." Kate offered slightly sarcastically. . "So while you're gone, can I use the holonet for my own research?"

A low sound, almost a chuckle, sounded "Kate, leave you or you and Kara alone aboard my ship while this takes place? No, I want to be able to come back to my ship in one piece. However I do believe the most opportune time to meet, or at least acquire the introduction letter is a ball that is being hosted by one family and I would be a poor guest if I did not have a beautiful woman accompanying me. So, knowing you, and honestly all of us, have no formal wear for Serenno, shopping first, for us all."

Kate thought about what he said, and wasn't sure how she felt about it. "I'm sure you would be able to find such a woman to take with you, planet side" she said coolly, she was wondering if a ‘woman’ by his side was some sort of custom, because it seemed weird. As well as trying to decide if she was going to be offended that he thinks that she would damage his ship . . .more. . .Remembering that perhaps they were poorly skilled in interaction as she once was, so decided to go for the obvious flaw "I have no way of paying for such things you see my credits... " she patted herself down for dramatic effect "happen to be on my ship, on the other side of the galaxy." she commented dryly.

In response Bernael held out his arms, taking in the ship. "I have enough to be able to outfit you for such an occasion, you and Kara alike. And..." knowing if he brought up that he'd rather have his or Renn's eyes constantly aware of any danger to these two she would flatly refuse he took a different tack, "I would much prefer someone I know to accompany me than a stranger. Yes, we've only known each other for a short time but I'd prefer it to be you."

She squinted at him, "are you. . . trying to ask if I will go to a . . .ball with you?” He couldn't be serious, she was in no way cultured in such events aside from romantic holo's she and Eak watched.

"If you want the direct answer, yes I am asking you to accompany me to the scheduled ball." He watched her, attempting not to read her, as she processed the request.

She rubbed her face in mild frustration. "When would I ever not want direct communication?" she sighed and wondered if she was this annoying to deal with in her own youth. "So if you are asking, then I . . .accept. But be warned, apparently I cause Chaos, even passively with my very existence. I believe you and Renn have pointed that out. . . so if this event really IS important, then perhaps you might want to reconsider" She said in a lightly threatening tone. Although she couldn't help but feel excited by the prospect of dancing and wearing a pretty dress just like in the romantic holos. Something positive in the past two weeks of hell.

Ignoring the implied threat, "Then it's agreed, you will accompany me. And yes I know chaos follows you but that was understood when I asked. And I am sure I will still be able to do what I need to do if something occurs." otherwise ignoring her previously stated objections he entered both their names as well as Kara accompanying Renn, to the invitations he had procured and sent the completed form by holo to the contact on planet.

She didn't know much about Serenno, but knew that her current outfit was ill suited, even to wear to get better clothing, but she had an Idea. "Do you have a pair of scissors I may borrow?

"You may want to check with Renn, I would believe he has several such in the workshop. Otherwise there is a droid that is skilled as a tailor who may help." He pointed first toward the workshop and then toward the room adjoining the cargo hold.

". . .thanks, I am capable of some things" she tried to sound cheeky, but it may have come off as annoyed. She got up and went to see Renn and Kara in the workshop.

~*~*~*~

"Bernael said I might be able to borrow some scissors, may I please?" She asked Renn as she walked in.

"Sure, chaos girl, hold on a sec." He went to a cupboard, opening it and thinking for a moment before retrieving a pair. He walked back over to her and planted them tip first, several centimeters deep, in the wooden board, next to the pieces of his wood he'd been working before she'd walked in.

"General purpose scissors, so should be good for whatever you need. If you need a more specific type just let me know." He said with a grin, waiting to see her work the scissors out of the board.

Although the scissors offered were not dressmakers scissor Kate wasn't going to ask. She just looked at Renn with a 'Really?' kinda stare. She picked up the scissors, and the board came with it. Then with a swift movement, she brought the board down so that the larger flat part of the board, near the scissors that she was holding would slam into the side of the table. Like she hoped the scissors dislodged with the impact. She smiled sweetly "Thank you Renn"

With that she proceeded to remove the t-shirt she was wearing, and cut from the top of the right shoulder, down to just under the left arm, as well as directly across a little higher than her navel. Thus Removing the whole top shoulder section, and excess lower part. Making it into a simple black off the shoulder tank style top.

"Kara, can you please come here for a moment" Kate said putting back on her top. Kara came around the other side of the table from Renn, looking confused. "Just sit tight for a moment, and take off that top. I am gonna turn it into a nicer looking dress" Kate explained while Kara although confused, did as requested but did ask "Why?"

"Bernael has got us invited to a dance this evening. .i think. . ., and thus we need to be dressed accordingly. Although my quick alterations here will not suffice, it will do until we get planet side, and purchase the correct clothing," Kate said cutting the arms off this T-shirt and the collar, she gave the shirt back to Kara to put on while she cut up the arms more. Once the now make shift dress was on, Kate took the strips and made a few knots on top of Kara shoulders to look a little cuter, and used the collar, as a waste band. A simple black dress for Kara. "There, you look beautiful!" Kara beamed and spun around once. "Thanks mum!"

Kate turned to Renn, "Thank you" she said putting the scissors back down on the table. Kate picked up the empty plate and went to leave.

He paused for a moment, his eyes unfocused, then refocused on her and grinned even more broadly. 'Smart, capable woman' he thought. "Well, chaos girl, it seems that I'm to help you shop, well more for Kara but still, so I'll be choosing an outfit with you both."

He picked up the split board, examining the fault line it had cracked upon, "Appreciate the assist, I would have shown Kara how to use the cutter to divide that tomorrow but now I can show her another thing." He took the scissors, gave them a quick sharpen, then replaced them in their place in the cabinet. Checking the worktable he turned off the little lamp over it before heading for the door himself.

"So Kate, what say we go shopping and spend some of the vampire's money."

"I do believe I am capable of selecting my own outfit, Thank you Renn" It may not be what he meant to say, but Kate was still feeling just a bit on edge being around Renn.

Kara walked out the door first, followed by Kate and Renn came up. "I'm only spending what I can pay back. I don't want to you owe either of you any more than I already do"

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @I_am_Kooky, (@Adalia-Durron, @Anedon, @adaml83 As the other team there to protect Ethan and mentions)

 

IC:
In orbit, Eriadu

Eriadu, as suggested, was well-defended, and as the team arrived out of hyperspace, they would be interrogated by a Eriaduan capital ship, as was a standard thought. The announcement that Rivoche Paige-Tarkin had been removed from her position and replaced by Ethan Malek would be on the feeds, but there was no Quintad family name connected to the commander of the orbiting warship.

Someone would have to speak up, and take the lead.

But it wasn't a simple thing; hot on their heels was an Action-Keynne XII transport, sporting the colours of the Cavrilhu Pirates, who had relocated to the southern quadrant of the galaxy to avoid Imperial recriminations. Preybird fighters, a half squadron, emerged, and rushed forward. Noted for its luxurious crew accommodations and, in a radical departure from previous Action series transports, it mounted armament on par with a small capital ship. Essentially an upscaled Action IV, it was hard and impressive,



Action-Jeynne XII capital ship

It was impressive, and for the pirates to be attacking here, the capital of the sector, was indicative of far too much.

But yes, it was a good time to arrive and insert into a system...

... no?

Of course, while the first team had made it to the surface unhindered, would Briana Odan, Adalia Tehanis and Jesse Coulson, if they jumped in?

TAG: @Adalia-Durron, @adaml83, @Anedon (re-jigged TAG)

TAG: @Adalia-Durron @adaml83, @Anedon (outstanding Eriadu combo)

TAG: @The Real Kyp Durron @Corellian_Outrider (outstanding from Endor)

TAG: @WarmNyota_SweetAyesha, @adaml83 (outstanding from last week for Adumar)

TAG: @galactic-vagabond422, @I_am_Kooky, @Adalia-Durron (outstanding from last fortnight for Coruscant minelayer battle)

 

OOC: Getting ready for the ball on Serenno with @I_am_Kooky and @galactic-vagabond422 as Bernael's contact on Serenno

IC Bernael, Renn, Kate, Kara
Shopping on Serenno

Kate watched the people 'not' stare at her, and Kara. She knew she would be under dressed but this city, the people, were far fancier than she thought. She was making note of what they were wearing so that she could get something similar.

They approached and entered one of the premier clothiers on Serenno, the consultant by the door blanching at the disparate group, a woman and child in obviously self created outfits, a walking tree, and a "man" who seemed off for some reason, as if his face wavered from time to time. "I believe you lot would be better served by the discount outlet three streets down." He said with a dismissive sniff.

Bernael stepped forward, looking directly in the eyes of the consultant. It was mere seconds to show the man the power of his will, overwhelming the "little" man's own will. 'You will provide every service of this establishment for the woman, the child, and the tree being. This store is closed except to service these three as of Now.' was planted in the man's mind.

The consultants face, now pale, turned toward the counter and called out, "Private party, otherwise please leave, if you are not the three before me now!"

Bernael turned back to Kate, Kara, and Renn. "Renn, Kate, I know there is still tension between you two but I must go to another establishment to procure my own outfit so it is the three of you here."

He strode toward the entryway, the consultant now bowing before him. He turned his head momentarily 'I had better not be disappointed when I return, with the results of their experience here.' With that thought the man's face paled even further before Bernael swept out of the door and heard it click shut behind him.

Kate watched in vague horror, at the request. It was completely unnecessary. Yes the dude was a bit of an uptight person, . . but this was an uptight person store! But before Kate could finish processing her thoughts into actions Bernael left.

She spun back to turn and face Renn "Yep, Good company" she smiled at him with a tight smile knowing he would understand, as per their previous conversation. She took a deep breath // well. . .at least I don't have to be 'not' looked at anymore//

Kate looked around the establishment, it had everything! Mens, Woman's, Kids. From Extra 'going to a ball' fancy, to walking down the street fancy. "Go on Kara, go find something you like, Pick one to wear to a dance, as pretty as you want, and the other, just like, something normal okay"

Kara's eyes widened in excitement "I GET TO PICK MY OWN!" as she bounced on the spot. Kate laughed "Yep, appsolutely, go for it! try it all on if you want!" as she watched Kara run through the store, touching every single item of clothing she went by. "These are SO SOFT MUM!" Kate felt that she may regret letting her go for it, but she was going to count on Renn to assist if she really did pick something not quite right.

She walked up to the consultant as he was getting up "Sorry about him, he can be a bit grumpy if he hasn't eaten his lunch, it was a long flight" she said trying to sound charming. "I'm Kate." she offered the man.

He still looked a little worried. "Thank you Ma'am, I am Jakob" He said. "Mmmay I offer you a refreshment, we have hot chocolate for your little one and some wine if you would like. "

Kate was astounded, being offered food in a store for clothing, this was definitely outside what she was used to. . .but she felt that she could get very used to it, very quickly. . .She chuckled "No Thank you, I don't think Kara needs any more stimulant" she said pointing to her daughter showing Renn her favourite coloured tops. Being Pinks and Yellows.

"Look you don't have to close down the shop, if anyone else comes in, let them in, I honestly would prefer that. I don't need any special treatment." Kate said looking for the nicer dresses.

"As you wish Ma'am”

Kate decided she was going to pick something she liked, like her daughter, she too touched each item of fabric as she walked past, enjoying the sensation of the soft fabric on her fingers. She picked out two dresses, both feeling fantastic, one was bright red, and the other a deep purple, both colours she knew she would look good in.

With new undergarment also selected, she tried on the purple, but it didn't sit right at all. She then tried on the red, sleeveless, and full length dress, she was still able to move freely in it, and it had sparkling glass or diamonds or something, thickly layered from her chest and petering out as it went down, like a waterfall of stars.

She put on another dress, this one more basic, like the other outfits people were wearing on the street, it was a deep green and shimmered in the light, it reminded her of home, also as soft as new leaves. She came back out to show Renn, but saw that Jakob was trying to encourage an older gentleman to leave.

Kate walked swiftly across the store, and just looked at Jakob. She could see he was torn between Bernael who was not there, and her, who was. Kate nodded in understanding for the poor man's predicament.

"Good afternoon Sir, Please do come in" Kate said mimicking Jakob's tone and manner. She gently held the older man's arm and walked him in. "May I offer you a refreshment?"

The older man stood at his full height looking down at the man standing in his way with piercing blue eyes, his long pure white hair combed back and bound with an elastic, his equally snowy beard reaching to the top of his chest. He was dressed in black a dark jacket over a onyx waistcoat, his shirt underneath white with a cravat held with a silver pin around his neck, he was the very picture of a gentleman, if a little outdated.

"Young man," he said with gentle authority, his own voice, not one to be trifled with. "I was assured that my appointment would be held for me, no matter what...I discussed this with the owner of this establishment, if you would contact her I'm sure we can sort this out." The young woman walked up taking his right arm, the other held a cane. He followed behind her cane tapping with each step. "No I think I shall be fine." He sat down at one of the available benches letting out a breath. "I do hope you do not mind if I take a rest. My old bones, require it."

"Of course Sir" Kate said, bowing slightly. She giggled that she dropped back into the server rather than served in a second.

"Thank you," He looked around at the empty store other than the tree and little girl running around. "I was told there was a private event here, though it seems a bit small for a party."

-----

Bernael shook his head as he left the store, humans tended to need ‘encouragement’ to do what was needed. As he walked he brought up the holographic display on his wristpad. He had a few short messages to send, to keep things moving along where he couldn’t be physically present. The first was to Adalia.

*Adalia,

We are currently on Serenno and once done here I will bring Kate and Kara back to Hawkbat. She gets to enjoy a high society ball and then return to you safe and sound.

Bernael*

He sent the message to Adalia, then wrote a short one to Adam and another to who he wished to assist Adam’s team.

*Adam,

There was a hiccup on the Society end of getting the team to join yours on Eriadu. But that has been resolved and they will be enroute shortly.

Bernael*


*R&R,

Eris will be contacting you and if she hasn’t then she will receive what is due. You two are activated and will assist a team attempting to protect Ethan Malek. As well, codes are enclosed related to another target of assassination. You will ensure that whatever Eris has done is even more tightly protected. I am the point of contact once you go active, as usual.

B*

Both messages were sent, the second under much heavier encryption than the first. He closed out the pad and continued on his way.

Two blocks down the street Bernael came upon a single door set in the wall of an otherwise nondescript building. A single knock and an opening dilated in the door. A series of words were spoken by a being inside, in an ancient tongue. "Irto Sikrar, Client number **, appointment" Bernael stated and then waited while his information was verified.

The door opened and he stepped through. Inside was a stand with a three paneled mirror, an older gentleman with the accouterments of a tailor, and the being who had checked his credentials at the door. Otherwise there was a settee with a low table before it.

"Good afternoon, Lord. I have prepared the fabrics you requested. My compatriot in the back has, likewise, worked on the special equipment. All I require are your measurements and the suit you requested will be created." The elderly gentleman gestured at the stand and waited.

Bernael nodded to the man and stepped up, floating his cloak to an adjacent hook. Holding up his arms, he waited while the man, unsurprised by his use of the Force, swiftly took his measurements. That completed, he disappeared into the back and the sounds of cloth being cut and pieces sewn together sounded from that direction.

Bernael took a seat on the settee and waited, scrolling through the news on the net, on his wrist pad, while he waited.

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

"Oh don't you worry about that Sir, wherever this little one goes, there a party is happening, because she brings it" Kate smiled and Jakob still standing near the door, looking worried. She thought about it, she had picked out her two outfits, the green she was currently wearing, and the Red that was still in the change room.

Renn seemed to be happy dealing with Kara and her antics, so without much else to do, Kate looked back at the older man "How can I help you today? My name is Kate”

He hummed a little rubbing his leg. Looking about the space. "Well, Kate, I was looking to update my wardrobe. Or at least get a new outfit for an event later. I'm ashamed to admit that I haven't kept up with the latest fashions, and showing up to such a thing in outdated clothes would be such a social faux paux that I fear I could never show my face again." He smiled giving a warm chuckle. He rose extending his hand palm up a classical greeting. "I am Claugh Malven, 10th count of Estabul."

"I am pleased to meet you, Claugh. But I am ill suited to help in fashion trends, for I am not of this plant, and I have no knowledge or anything useful. I have also been invited to this Ball, so I'm here as well, shopping for something suitable. That is my daughter running around, and my friend escorting me" Kate said sincerely


"Hum," He replied with a smile, looking over his shoulder at Jakob. "I doubt I will get any help from that young man at the door. I guess I will have to pick my own attire." He looked away with a pained smile, "I haven't done it in 55 years but, how hard can it be."

Renn appeared around a tall rack, "Kate, Kara is enjoying herself, picking out clothes, and I suggested to the woman there to help her find some everyday outfits, as I know the clothing choices on board Bernael's Fury are limited for children." He paused, seeing the older gentleman. Turning toward him, "Apologies for the interruption Sir, but I knew Kate would want an update on her daughter."

"It's quite alright," Another pained smile, one of loss, "Little ones are hard to keep track of."

"Thanks Renn" Kate smiled and looked back at the Claugh, she saw the look in his eye and recognized it instantly "I'm sorry for you Loss Claugh." A pained look crossed Renn's face as well. "Yes they are." He said very quietly, Kate didn't need to see Renn’s face to feel it.

He let out a breath, "It is fine," He shifted his weight to his good leg. "Stop looking so morose, we're going to a ball are we not." He smiled, "Let the past be past, let us look to the future." Though his words were joyful one could feel the old pain he was soothing with his words. He walked forward heading towards the section for men's formal wear, looking it over with a careful eye. "My how things have changed in only a few years."

Jakob came mincing over, having found one of the stockmen from the back to put in formal wear and stand guard at the door. "Ma'am Kate, Lord Malven, ummm Sir Renn," trying to remember the tree man's name, "Is there anything I can do for any of you? Lord, a whisky or a tea, perhaps?"

"Yes Jakob, Is this dress suitable for like, everyday wear?" Kate asked. . .and then realized she didn't care, she loved this dress and would wear it anyway.

Hurriedly Jakob looked over the dress she wore "Ma'am, if you are of the station I believe you are, that dress is appropriate in whatever situation you believe it is." Wiping sweat from his brow he hoped they found what they were searching for so he did not have to explain to the scary man who had been here earlier all that had happened.

//What kind of answer is that?// Kate scoffed, and then remembered she didn’t care, because she liked the dress.

"I will be fine young man...My Noa would be quite cross if I started drinking before sundown." He turned away, looking through the rack, still catching himself speaking of her. "Some men wear this?" He asked looking at a slightly brightly colored jacket, trying to distract from the rings that rested against his chest on a chain. "Spoiled dandies more." He moved his way down, finding something in black, though there seemed to be various shades. He pulled off the darkest one he could find holding it up in the mirror.

"Kate, do you think this is too dark?"

She heard Claugh muttering to himself as he looked at clothing. So she reached around to see what this dress would cost her, and her heart nearly stopped. For this simple thing, it was more than two months wages! But then Lord Claugh's question interrupted her.

She looked at the jacket, and looked at the white haired gentleman. "I think so Claugh" she wondered over, and picked out a darker grey jacket with red trim. "I think this would suit better" She smiled and offered it to him.

Renn saw Kate look at the price tag, knowing that a shop like this, how exclusive it was, the prices would be higher than many people would be willing to pay. "Kate, don't look at the tags, just find what fits and choose those items."

She looked back at Renn "I . . I can't. . . I can't afford to owe you this" Kate stammered.

"Kate, what did I just say? Please, just pick what you like and do not think about it. It's been taken care of. Bernael did say choose what you want and he would pay, and if he ever says anything I'll just pay him back, never you."

He nodded his head putting the dark suit away holding the grey up to himself. There was some disagreement as payment and owing things. He furrowed his brow a little, hearing the tree's rebuke. He walked up bowing his head a little.

"I believe the young lady was just worried about abusing the generosity of yourself and Bernael was it?" He kept the recognition out of his voice though he knew the name well. Though he did wonder what he was doing with this young woman and her daughter. She seemed far from home. He pursed his lips just a little, an old pain starting to rise.

Renn turned toward the Lord, "Thank you Sir. That is understandable, and both he and I know this place is beyond what she could usually afford. And the one paying had already told me privately that all of this was on his tab, as he was the one who brought her here, so no repayment would be necessary. But both he and I are not always sure of such social niceties so perhaps we were wrong."

A wan smile graced his lips, offering her expensive gifts with no expectation of repayment. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. And taking her to it? Did they ask what she would have wanted?

"There is something to be said for standing on one's own feet." He said, turning back to the tree, leaning a little heavy on his cane. "While your generosity is kind it may appear a handout undeserved. Not that I will speak for the lady." He nodded his head toward her, letting her speak if she desires.

Kara came running back "MUM! Mum mum! Loot at this one! I love it!" It was blue and covered in glass or diamonds or something shiny, it looks just like the one her mum picked out, but it was move covering and suited to a 10 year old. "DO I look like a princess!" "Of course!" Kate proudly responded.

He looked over to the little one rushing up with a sparkly dress, a genuine smile came to his lips. Though he kept an eye on the tree.

"Yes your Highness." He said with a slight bow to Kara, "You will be the center of attention. No one will mistake you for anything less."

"Kara, where is your other outfit" Kate prompted. "Oh, Back in a sec" and Kara ran off. Kate heard something between the two men, but wasn't paying much attention. . .she nodded at Claugh, and nodded at Renn, she didn't have much more to say. She went into the dressing room.

"What do you gentlemen think of this one then" She held up the red dress.

-----

Several blocks away, the tailor emerged, carrying two boxes and a suit bag. "Sir, the formal wear has been created and is here and I must say black and burgundy are truly your colors," holding up the bag, "in this one are the formal shoes," holding up the smaller box, "and in this are the special items you requested." The last was a longer, flat shape.

Bernael opened it, counting and examining, before shutting the case and nodding to the tailor. "Once again your location's services are impeccable. The credits have been forwarded to your account and I look forward to further business with this establishment." He retrieved the packages and his cloak, then made his way back out onto the street.

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

Count Malven nodded towards Kate smiling at her in the red dress. She looked nice though, the red was a bit bright, could just be the lights but he thought she could do better in a more burgundy dress. But, what did he know.

"You look divine Kate."

Renn looked at the dress, the color truly matched her well. "That is beautiful, Kate and I must agree with the Count, you look stunning in it."

He looked at the racks, noticing one that had caught his eye earlier. Moving over to it, he examined it further, and checked with a clerk that it was in the size Kate had previously chosen. Taking it from the rack he moved back to Kate and the Count.

"Kate, I know you passed this by earlier, for whatever reason but I believe it may suit you better than the bright red." He held up a gown, covered in patterns of dark red gems, one shoulder bare, a low cut to the back, flattering cut to the neckline, in a burgundy color, setting off the gems more.

"Not only do I think it suits you better, I believe it matches what I believe Bernael would choose for himself. Which, I believe may be a very good thing, at an event such as this." The last said with that knowing smile he knew was beginning to frustrate Kate because he was deliberately being less than direct in what it meant

While he agreed with the choice of color the Count could feel something oily in the pit of his stomach. He believed the woman should choose for herself, despite his own feelings. And invoking the name again seemed to drive home the point. This was not for her, but for him. While he felt uncomfortable he would not stop her if she chose the burgundy, nor would he do anything if she chose the bright red. He looked to her with a kind smile. To speak now would seem like pressuring. He was content to let her decide.

Kate blushed "Thank-you gentlemen"

Kara came back in a bright pink and short dress that made her look just adorable, but perfect 'everyday' ware, for this town Kate thought. "You look lovely sweetheart!" Kate beamed with pride, as did Kara.

Kate looked at the dress Renn suggested, she must have missed it, or run her fingers across the stones and dismissed it. "Why not? Kara?" "I think it's pretty, give it a go" Kate took the dress and tried it on, it fitted well, and Kate felt just that level more fancy than the other dress. She didn't need to show it to them, although she did like the other dress, if Bernael is paying for it, it might as well be something he might like. Also matching one's dance partner was important, according to the movies she had watched. ;

So she changed back into her new 'everyday' green dress. "Well that worked out, Lets go!"

Renn turned to the Count as Kate and Kara moved toward the counter, waiting until they were out of close earshot. Leaning down, he brought his head more level with the Lord's and in a very low tone, "Lord, I can sense your feelings on this matter, and, under other circumstances I would agree. I tend to be exuberant yes, but there is something higher than her or her partner at this event that is going on, if even for a short duration, and I've been thrust into the role of what you have seen, encouraging both sides to see and perhaps follow the will of this higher power."

With that he nodded in respect to the Count, turned, and headed to the counter to transfer the credits and leave with Kate and Kara, to find Bernael.

-----

Bernael left the establishment, looked around to ensure no one else was present before he tucked his packages under his arm and started back toward the shop where he had left the other three. He strolled, looking the part of a high class gentleman, a usual pose if he hadn’t set up a cover for the world he was on. It was only a matter of a few minutes before he arrived back at the shop, ready to deal with the concierge if he hadn't followed his instructions. As he approached, he saw all three exiting the shop, seemingly happy with their purchases. There was a slight tinge of something else but he could inquire later.

“Did you all find what you were looking for or wanting?” he asked as he joined them outside the shop.

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @Adalia-Durron, @I_am_Kooky, @adaml83, @galactic-vagabond422, @Anedon

 

IC Adalia Tehanis
Hawkbat Base

Having sent her message she returned to her quarters, too restless to sleep she checked her own data pad. Nothing so far, she'd hoped to hear from Kyp. She then opened the one Bernael had given her, two messages. Reading them she shook her head, somehow the issues he was having with Kate and by connection Kara, didn't surprise her at all. The girl was Chaos personified, the reason she was a Saber from the start. She sent back a simple 'Acknowledged' message as there was little else to say. A 'swoosh' feeling told her that her son was awake too, she smiled. "Sorry little one, I'll get back to sleep so you can." With that she crawled back into the empty bed. She was tired of being alone and if she didn't hear anything soon, she was going to him.

===================================

IC Jesse Coulson
Hawkbat Base.

He'd wanted to walk her back, wanted to spend more time around her, but she'd declined his offer so Jesse was left to his own devices. What he really wanted to was to see her reaction to the Crystal Dawns fit out, he thought it looked like the ship of Kings and Queens inside and he wanted to see her reaction to it. It could wait, he'd set his alarm early so he could be up to take her to see it. With that in mind he went to his bunk to catch some well earned sleep.



TAG @Sinrebirth @The Real Kyp Durron

 

OOC: Oh look pretty dress up, even the Vampire! "Shut up Renn!" with @I_am_Kooky

IC Bernael, Renn, Kate, Kara
The Grand Ball

Renn turned to Bernael, "They got their outfits, including one that you can't see yet, but I would imagine will match yours very well, although there was a gentleman that disagreed. He seemed to think we were or are using Kate for our own ends. But seems to know you, it felt."

Kara wanted to run up to Bernael, but her mother's words were still ringing in her ears. She tried to walk gracefully and smoothly up, barely containing her excitement. Her shoulders covered in golden lace, and the dress, only three quarters went in a smooth gradient form the yellow to match the lace top a deep pink around her knees.

"Do I look pretty enough! I feel pretty enough, this place is so amazing!" her little soul beaming, you wouldn't be able to tell the horrors that she had been through the past two weeks.

"I think we got what you needed" Kate offered, as she listened to Renn. "Oh, I don't think that at all about Claugh, He was a bit off put due to the store being closed" she gestured with her hands to emphasize the word 'closed' "he may have come off a bit grumpy, but older people don't like change, or a change in plans much. I don't think he thought that much about us at all really, he was doing his own thing." Kate smiled as she looked down and caught herself swaying slightly to feel the fabric float around her.

“Knows me, hmmm, he would have to be one of the older nobles of Serenno then.” Bernael mused, wondering if they had run into his contact here, which would be quite the coincidence. He looked down at Kara, “Yes, little one you look very pretty, and I’m sure many will be envious of you at the ball.”

He listened to Kate and when the name Claugh was uttered he kept his emotions from his face, ‘So they truly did have a run in with my contact here, interesting.’ He thought she looked beautiful in the outfit she was currently wearing but also knew better than to say much, as things were still chaotic and he didn’t need her upset.

“Kate, was this Claugh older, a Count perhaps, slightly stooped with a cane, and a widower?” he asked, as though he were just interested in their encounter in the shop.

"Ah yeah, suppose" Kate said distracted by her dress, slightly transfixed by the colours and movement.. "So what was happening next?"

Bernael kept what few emotions he had under control as his guess was confirmed. "There are a couple hours until the ball. I know both of you will want to get as fully prepared as possible so perhaps we head back to the Fury. Renn and I can also prepare, and then we can have an opportunity to see each other in our outfits before taking the speeder to the residence where the ball is being held."

"I CALL FRONT SEAT!" Kara yelled, only to get a stern look from her mother. Kara cleared her throat before repeating in a calmer more formal tone "It would ever so please me if it were possible that I may have the front position in the vehicle as we travel" she said trying to add as many unnecessary words and formality that she could manage.

Renn chuckled at the byplay between Kate and Kara. He also wondered at Bernael's question about the older man, he wouldn't usually take such interest which meant the man had to be important in some way. "So I'll sit in the back with Kate then, as I know the Vampire prefers flying his own craft, and thinks I'm too wild a pilot."

"Well Im a pretty good pilot" Kate offered, but left it at that, she wasn't even really sure why she mentioned it. Probably her competitive side, she smiled at Renn, and gestured for him to go in front as they all started to head off.

Renn snorted, then climbed in and sat, letting the speeder settle at his weight. "Didn't say I wasn't a good pilot, but he's very obsessive about his things."

"I am standing right here, Renn." Bernael stated, then opened the door for Kara so that she could step into the front passenger seat of the speeder.

------

Bernael brought the speeder to a smooth halt by the entrance of the residence. Before he could step out the valets had opened the doors, assisting both Kate and Kara from the craft. Bernael moved to Kate and held out his arm so that she could take it. His black and burgundy dress suit matched what she was wearing very well and he had to admit she looked radiant in it. His other equipment, that he'd procured was hidden in it's various locations around his suit and he had the case with his old Letter of Introduction inside.

Renn slipped beside Kara, and could feel her exuberance at going to a ball coming off of her. He looked down, "Little Miss Curious, let's enjoy this as much as possible."

Kate smiled as she took Bernael's arm. Back on the Fury, she asked for details about proper behaviour for an event such as this. As well as any small deviations relevant to the location. She read as much as she was given, soaking it in quickly while she did her hair.

She was very nervous, she had never worn a dress so elegant in her whole life. Never been to such an event. Although Bernael did his best to comfort her in that she wouldn't affect his greater purpose here, she still had that fear in the pit of her stomach. Torn between being excited and wanting to go home.

She turned to see her daughter, her one anchor in her chaotic world turned upside down. She saw the smile on her face, the light in her eyes, the sparkles from glitter in her hair. If her daughter was okay, she was going to be okay. She had proven to herself, and she would prove to all the others, that she would move the galaxy itself to protect and do the best for her daughter.

Hearing Renn’s words, she quietly repeated them back to herself "let's enjoy this as much as possible" she would leave her pain, her sorrow, her fear, her regret, her worry at the door. Tonight, for just an hour or so, she would be her old self. At peace, enjoying life around her. She knew she could do this, as at the very least her pilot training had taught her to box her emotions to complete a mission.

She took a deep breath, and mentally placed down her emotional turmoil at the door. She followed Bernael's lead as she felt herself glide, near free of it all weight of all the actions of the past two weeks. She walked gracefully, her dress and hair flowing behind her, her daughter just by her side. This night would be like an interactive dream. . .an event she didn't deserve, chance she will never get again.

Bernael took Kate’s arm, walking at a slow, measured pace through the entrance to the residence and then into the entry hallway. The bright lights of the chandeliers overhead illuminated the hall fully, and truly let him see her in her dress. He kept his expression from his face, but inside he knew she was beautiful and would wow the nobles gathered here when she appeared. He would be lucky if the younger male nobles didn’t spend the night begging for a dance from her. Leaning his head closer to hers he whispered “Kate, you look radiant. I am glad you chose to come to the ball with me.”

Renn, to one side, overheard the comment, smiling. It seemed her truly had chosen well. He hadn’t told Kate but the reason he’d chosen the dress was that he was trying to help her, without saying so, in her attempt to get Bernael’s attention. However he had another, sweet and happy woman by his side, his little friend. He looked down at her and had to smile. She had never been to such an occurrence and he pointed out all the interesting features as they walked toward the Ballroom.

When they arrived Bernael had to speak to the herald so that the man could announce them best. The man thumped the butt of his staff of office on the ground three times, “May I Present Lord Bernael of Nouane and Lady Kate of Kashyyyk, Accompanied by Lord Renn of Ryyk and Lady Kara of Kashyyyk.”

Kara jumped a little at the sound of the man hitting the ground with this stick, and how his voice echoed throughout the room, but it didn't faze mum, or Renn, so it was already "that's really weird" she muttered to Renn as she walked down the stairs behind her mum. But then she caught a whiff of the food, sure she had something on the ship, but this smelt even better. As they got to the bottom of the stairs she let go of Renn and made a move for the table covered in food.

Kate nodded her head slightly at the announcement, and proceeded to carefully hold her dress and they walked down the stairs and out into the main hall. The scents of warm foods, the gentle floating music the carefully not over lit ball, it truly was as scene from a dream. She leaned over and whispered to Bernael "Whom are we here to see again?"

Then catching the out of the corner of her eye, her daughter making a direct line for the food. She let go of Bernael and went after her, forgetting what she was meant to do.

Before she could move a pace, Renn was before her. “I’m her ‘date’ tonight, Kate so I’ll take care of her.” Before Kate could protest, Renn had swept away and was soon beside Kara, piling a pair of plates high with food. “Now, let's find a table and make our bellies full.”

Bernael had caught a whiff of perfume as Kate had almost gone after Kara and wondered ‘Where did she find perfume on the Fury?’ but he did thank Renn for swooping in. He knew Kate’s mother instinct would kick in anytime for Kara but Renn would make sure nothing bad happened to his little friend.

He moved back beside Kate, “First we must speak to my contact which, ironically, is the selfsame Count you and Renn ran into earlier today. And after, amid the dancing, which I am going to ask that you leave at least 2 or 3 spots on your dance card open for me, I must meet the Count of Serenno himself. But there is beauty, paled by yours, music, dancing, and food as we circulate and accomplish anything else that needs doing.”

Kara looked at the amount of food on her plate, then saw the other guests seemingly just picking at the food. She wondered if she was doing it wrong, was she only meant to take little bits at a time too? Then she saw Renn with his plate, so if he was doing it, it must be okay! "Then we Dance!" She said following Renn to a seat around the edges of the room. She looked back at her Mum, to check that she was okay. But she and Bernael were together, and they looked happy enough so she shrugged and started to eat, the food was amazing!

Kate's heart riled against the idea of her 10 year old daughter having a date. The urge to yell at Renn to back off was as sudden as it was confusing. She had cleared it with Kara, she knew it was going to happen, she wanted Kara to have a fun night without her mother hovering. Mathematically she knew Renn would look after her daughter, but it felt so uncomfortable to see Kara leave her side. So focused on her daughters well being and the task at hand, had she forgotten to check with herself?

She heard Bernael speak, but it was muffled in her brain as she tried to calm her heart. She thought she got most of what he said, but was pretty sure she missed something as she watched Kara gather food and wonder off the to side, with Renn a step or so behind.

She looked back at Berneal and smiled "After you then," hoping that would be a relevant answer to whatever Bernael had said.

Renn laughed, “Oh yes, dancing, definitely. We do have to burn off all the energy the food will give after all and it is a ball so we have to dance.” He dug in to the food. He didn’t want Kara to feel uncomfortable because she was the only one eating heartily. The food was good, at such an occasion where the ruler of the planet was in attendance would be of the best quality.

Bernael could tell Kate hadn’t heard everything he’d said as she was still checking on Kara. “Kate, I promise Renn will take care of Kara, as he would his own child. Tonight is about what I need to do, yes, but also about enjoying ourselves, so in that case, May I have this dance?” he asked, turning toward her, bowing slightly, and holding out his hand to take hers.

"Ahh" Kate heard the music start to swell up, the dances she watched in her research came to mind, but blurred together. Barneal had his hand out, she knew she just took it. A small voice reminded her that this fear she had bested long ago. She was an amazing fighter, and pilot and wife, she had come such a long way. She wanted this night to be like a glorious dream, the opposite of what wretched nightmare her life had become.

"okay" She took his hand, and took a breath, she couldn't shake the mama fear, but at any moment, she knew she would be able to see Kara should she need to. This 'man' was kind enough to take her to this lovely event, she owed it to him to at least have a dance.

Each step out onto the dance floor, nervous and exciting. Letting go of the fear as best she could she smiled at him, she was going to be a good guest, she knew she could do that much.

Bernael took her hand, her palm in his, lifting it and, lifting his mask for a moment, kissed the back of her hand as was proper at such an event. Her perfume filled his senses again, as he led her onto the dance floor. Pulling her close, he lifted the hand he held, to one side, as his other hand went around her waist. He made sure to not let it drift, but he held her and slowly began the steps of the dance that went with the music currently playing, letting her fall into the rhythm of it. With her training it should only be a matter of moments for her to pick up the steps.

Renn was scanning the ballroom as he ate and kept an eye on his little friend. He smiled broadly as he saw Bernael and Kate begin to twirl around the dance floor. Other couples were giving them room as Bernael had chosen an older, much older, dance that would accompany the music and many on the floor were marveling at a dance that hadn’t been seen in many places in living memory. He had yet to see the Count that Bernael had said was his contact but knew, from their earlier encounter, he would recognize the man immediately.

Taking a bite from what appeared to be a cheesecake of sorts it melted in his mouth, filling it with flavors of several berries, “Mmmm, delicious, here Kara, try a bite.”

Kara recoiled a little "eww gross! boy germs! no thank you, but I think I have that one here" as she picked up something similar to what Renn was holding "Hmmm, its okay, not my favourite" she was getting pretty full, but still had some food, but decided to just leave it on the table. She had been watching, her Mum and Bernael dancing, she thought her mother looked very pretty, she felt a little weird about it, not good, but not bad, and couldn't work out why. Kara kept looking around for someone her age, but had yet to see anyone.

Kate was feeling a lot better after the dance, movement always helped to alleviate nervousness. As they finished, some in the crowd clapped and Kate blushed a little. She looked a the sea of beautiful gowns and lovely faces. She was looking for Claugh, but couldn't see him yet. "Im going to find Kara, thank you for the Dance" she bowed gracefully as her research indicated to Bernael and turned to head in the last direction her daughter was seen.

Renn laughed again, at Kara’s reaction, typical for a child of whatever sex one was at that age, but didn’t object. But after she tried it he’d learned a little more about her taste in food. He could see her watching the vampire and her mother dancing and read her confused emotions about the two of them dancing, perhaps something he and she could talk about later.

Bernael hadn’t expected the dance to be as a whirlwind as it had been. He’d simply fallen into an old dance he recalled, that matched the music, and Kate had caught on to the steps fairly quickly so they had twirled around the dance floor throughout the number. When the song ended he’d backed up a step and bowed slightly to Kate, in the formal style, even though he’d have preferred to thank her while still in the embrace of the dance. He registered the applause and the blush to her cheeks. He’d told her she was beautiful and it seems their dance had caught the attention of the nobles there. He turned and bowed to the gathered nobles, thanking them for the applause. Turning back to Kate he caught her words, “No, thank you, you were a very good partner.” He watched her float off toward the tables they’d seen earlier where Renn and Kara had been seated.

He walked off the dance floor to make room for others and began a slow circulation of the room, nodding to those that did the same, a word of greeting to older nobles that seemed to know of him, but throughout he searched for Count Malvern, ready to conclude their business so that he could retrieve the Holocron and move forward with his mission.

Kara was getting restless now and had gotten up to put the leftover food somewhere. "Its okay, you can leave that" her Mum said from behind her, startling Kara. "Mum! Ah, you were. . ."

"I just came to check on you and Renn" Kate said sweetly, nodding to Renn.

"Urgh, Mum, we are fine!" Kara said slightly exasperated, starting to feel like she couldn't do anything at all now without her mum being over protective.

Out of the side of her eye, she caught someone walking up to them, Kate turning to greet this person. She took note to make sure she didn't accidentally look too defensive or anything.

"Madam" the younger human male made his greeting. "Will you do me the honour of a dance? I am Sir Venalin" he said bowing slightly. Kate bowed slightly in return "Lady Leeash, and yes, I would love too" As Sir Venalin held out his hand, Kate gently took it and allowed herself to be lead. She turned back and made eye contact with Kara and smiled. She glanced at Renn, then went on to the dance floor.

"Hmmm, I wish someone would ask me to dance" Kara said quietly sulking lightly.

Renn eyed the young noble for a moment, shook his head, turned to Kara and grinned, “Thought you’d never ask.” He stood, held out a hand, “May I have this dance, my friend.”

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @I_am_Kooky, @galactic-vagabond422 (Count Malvern mentioned), @Adalia-Durron

 

IC: Aden Kya
Skirmish on the Line, Confederate fleet, near Coruscant

They were insanely outnumbered, but through the various layers. One of the minelayers was aflame, but they were going to be swarmed by A-9 Vigilances and Howlrunners at this rate. Aden kicked his fighter up and out of the engagement, looking for the others. He had a dozen Wraiths and probably two dozen Confederate fighters now, with two minelayers left.

Rogue and Blackmoon Squadrons were cutting through the enemy, and three capital ships were showing damage along their path to the heart of the Confederate fleet. He tried to reach out with the Force but the battle was too complicated; he couldn't find anyone by touch alone. With a wince, he tried to cut through the clutter of the comms.

He managed to pick out most of the Wraiths and Dancers, though he couldn't with Da'mina, Natalia or Rhoen.

Aden felt a tug and looked at the nearest minelayer - an Aleph was squaring up, hammering the larger ship with its quad-weapons, Syal feeling laser-fire from a Bothan Howlrunner on her tail. Decorum collapsed. "Rhoen, where are you?" She cried out across the comms.

At the wrong angle to turn and help in time, Aden's eyes caught the spinning movement of Tracy. Forgetting her call-sign for a moment, he called out. "Tracy, look up." Aden gunned forward, firing a burst of weapons across her path and chewing apart an A-9 that was trying to get an angle on her. "Syal has the first minelayer; we need to pick on the other? I can't find Da'mina - or Natalia and Rhoen, too."

He moved to sidle up on her, but his sensors - and Tracy's - would go crazy as they fell into target locks of three more A-9 interceptors.

"MOVE!" Aden shouted.

TAG: @I_am_Kooky, @galactic-vagabond422
---
Adumar, Cartann

This violence was transmitted to the watching delegates on Adumar, as if a spectacle to be applauded. The GA attack was clearly failing, with half the fighters identified as belonging to Blackmoon Squadron having been destroyed, and the Wraiths and Dancers, it was confirmed, being swarmed. Loriana, Kirney and Adam, when the latter returned to the hall, would be able to watch what was likely Aden, Syal, Natalia, Tracy and Rhoen's final moments.

Whether that would be sombering or pleasing, well, that was for them to decide.

The fur of Admiral Babo periodically stood on end as his ships took damage, and he had actively patted it back down when the first minelayer exploded.

Still, Pellaeon had not joined the various delegates present, even by hologram - which was to be expected.

But neither had Tenel Ka.

There was a terrible lull when the momentum should have been building to the war's crescendo and ending.

Former Imperial Admiral Rogriss managed to keep his expression neutral.

The hologram of Supreme Commander Phennir was calm and collected, slowly but surely cutting down the options of the GA suicide squadrons.

An aide whispered in Phennir's ear and his eyes widened slightly, obviously clear on the large hologram. His eyes slid to Babo, who was suddenly picking up a comlink and stepped to the edge of the room -

Count Dooku of Serenno's comlink activated, as did that of some other delegates -

The others began to look at each other -

Something had happened, but what.

TAG: @adaml83, @WarmNyota_SweetAyesha
---
IC: Irek
Eriadu, Malek Estate

Irek stepped forward, but his comms kicked in. As much as he was undercover, he was no fool. He had spent his watch rigging assets to watch the approaches, especially by way of the jungle, which would obscure ordinary sensors - and thus was the perfect approach route for an enemy sneaking to the Malek Estate. It had been very little effort to rig mono-filament between the higher trees, and make it so they conducted. Any ship stealthily approaching by way of the jungle would suddenly cross the paths of the same, and a charge would flood the ships systems - say, a freighter? Irek had rigged a minor update to the chord so that he would know when it was triggered...

So when the electrical current suddenly caused the freighter to drop to the forest ground, it told Irek that now was the time to move forward. Advancing with a blaster to hand but lightsaber up his sleeve for now, he called out. "I am here for the head of Ethan Malek! Give him up and I won't kill you all!"

Then he triggered the jamming.

What One Sith would proceed without a decent set of jammers to hand?

It was so much easier to kill people without the local authorities involved.

White Eyes would have his hide if he was discovered, after all.

Then he opened his hands and ripped the windows off Ethan's walls on the side he faced.

"I'm here for Ethan Malek. Nobody needs to die for him."

In the meantime, Eris had rushed after her meeting with Bernael to ensure that all Society members were updated as to the coming danger.

Even if Eris didn't believe that Sith were coming, and was convinced that there was only one left in the galaxy - the absent Jacen Solo, she daren't not upset the Society again.

Whether that converted to the two members arriving in-time, who knew.

In the shadows, two more Sith watched, completely invisible to the Force and sensors. The Umbaran One Sith twins did not approve of the direct approach Irek was taking, and knew

TAG: @darthbernael, @Anedon, @Adalia-Durron, @adaml83, @I_am_Kooky
---
IC: Iella Antilles
Near Eriadu, moving through

The news swept many Intelligence lines, formal and informal.

The Hapans had deployed a dozen Battle Dragons from the Cluster, taking up positions -

Along hyperlanes?

Galactic commerce on a number of points between Coruscant and Hapes was being disrupted by the arrival of Hapan forces, who promptly deployed gravity mines to cut-off the routes.

Iella, currently moving their convoy of ships stealthily along the edge of a Damorian S18 light freighter - oddly designed to appear to be a Super Star Destroyer but in-fact only capable of carrying six smaller shuttles - and sent the update along their networks.

That network inevitably included the comlink of Corran, standing as he was with Mirax and Kyp, who himself had just received the message from Briana. It would include the Bothans; the Mandalorians; the Society; the One Sith.

A Sith on Eriadu..

... the Hapans moving on Coruscant?

Events were starting to move again, after a mere hours lull.

TAG: @adaml83, @The Real Kyp Durron, @Corellian_Outrider, @darthbernael

 

IC Adalia Tehanis - Jesse Coulson
Hawkbat Base. - The most boring place in the galaxy right now.


Adalia was so bored she was ready to get reckless, act out of character and do something Rooty level stupid, but standing in the refresher having just bathed with her hands on her now pronounced bump she knew better than to take stupid risks. It was time to explore this base, find something fun, find entertainment of some kind. The place was bigger than it let on with lower levels that were darkened and closed off. She just assumed Adam hadn’t lit them up as they weren’t needed, so as she move through, she turned lights on. The place smelled thick and stale, and there were a few items out of place on the floor and a layer of dust covered much of the floor and pieces of furniture.

Jesse had been watching her, he couldn’t help himself. So when she disappeared down a corridor that wasn’t well lit and entered a turbo lift he’d not seen used he became concerned. She should not be alone he decided, not in her condition. It had occurred to him that it was strange he wasn’t disturbed or put off by the fact her object of his affection and attention was carrying another man’s child. He was under no illusions, she was no saint, nor was she naive or pure, so her current condition meant little, in fact to him it made her more beautiful. They say a woman glows when pregnant, he had to agree with that saying. Catching the next lift, he followed her down and found it very easy to see which way she’d gone. The dust had tracks and imagined this part of the base had not seen life in more years than he cared to consider. She was exploring, he could see that by her footprints, weaving and stopping. He’d just keep his distance and make sure she was fine.

Adalia was focused as the debris around her increased, seems this part of the base had taken a hit or maybe sabotage? Broken doors, furniture and somethings she didn’t recognize. It was fascinating to her, damage but she could see no real reason for it she could see. She stepped through a doorway and reached up for a beam that was hanging as she felt her balance was off, just a little due to junior, she’d noticed her centre of gravity had changed. The beam wasn’t as secure as she'd thought and the hairs on the back her neck went up instantly, but it was too late as it crashed downward, pulling her down with it. Covering her head with one arm she fell and curled to a ball covering her stomach with her other arm. Debris fell from the roof on to her, nothing major but it scared her and she let out a squeal.

Jesse heard the crash, heard the debris falling and heard the scream. He broke into a run, skidding around corners following the foot prints till he found an area filled with newly settling dust. “Adalia!!!” He called.

She opened her eyes and cursed herself as she heard a voice calling her. Someone found her in her stupidity. “Over here” she called back. “I’m fine, just dirty.” She grumbled as she sat up and began to brush herself off.

Jesse bent down to her. “You sure?” he asked urgently. “Let me check.”

Adalia turned to him. “I’m fine Jesse, and what are you doing down here?” she asked a little annoyed more with herself than him.

“I saw you go, was………worried?” he explained as he checked her over. Then her saw it. “Um, you might not be alright.”

Adalia shook her head as she started to stand. “I’m fine Jesse, now……” she fell back down as pain shot up her leg, she turned to look and found a large piece of what looked to be ceiling jutting out of her calf. “Oh, that can’t be good.” She muttered pursing her lips.

It wasn’t bleeding badly but she clearly couldn’t walk and pulling it out was not an option as it could cause more damage. He needed to get her to the medical droid. “OK, can you stand on one leg?”

She looked up at him, annoyed with herself for being helpless. “Yes.” She grumbled again. “I can hop.” She stood grabbing at him for balance.

“No, you can't and you won’t.” In a clean sweep he scooped her up in his arms. “Hang on.”

Adalia gasped as he swept her up, she’d not expected that. “Jesse!!!”

“Hang on!” he almost ordered as he turned and began to head back the way they’d come.

“You can’t carry two of us!” she protested as she grabbed him around the neck.

“You’re both surprisingly light.” He said adjusting her with a little jolt. “Just enjoy the ride ok?” In that moment he’d never felt better, she needed him and he’d been there for her.



TAG @adaml83 @Sinrebirth @The Real Kyp Durron

 

IC Romulus and Remus
Eriadu, Time for fun

Romulus was in the office, working on the unending stream of paperwork that seemed involved in training the Eriaduan Special Forces as Remus was leading them on a short exercise. And then a message came in, on a channel he hadn’t expected. An eyebrow raised as he dug it out from under a stack of forms. Opening it, he scanned the message.

*R&R,

Eris will be contacting you and if she hasn’t then she will receive what is due. You two are activated and will assist a team attempting to protect Ethan Malek. As well, codes are enclosed related to another target of assassination. You will ensure that whatever Eris has done is even more tightly protected. I am the point of contact once you go active, as usual.

B*

A wicked smile crossed his face, they’d been activated, whether they received a message from the Society or not, the Boss had called and they would do exactly as he asked. He set aside the paperwork and wrote his own message to the Eriaduan commander, letting the man know that he and Remus would be taking personal leave with immediate notice. It was in their contract that such situations would come up, as well as that they would resume training the forces once their leave period was over.

He stepped out of the office as the class was filtering back in. As he saw Remus enter with the last of the troops he uttered a short, sharp phrase in a language none of those, save Remus, would know, Anzati. “We’re on, he called.”

Remus looked over at her partner at the phrase, her own eyebrow raised now. It had been years since He had called, but when He did they would always obey. She turned toward the troops gathered there, “Class dismissed, Rom and I are taking some leave but practice what we’ve taught so far and when we return class will resume.”

After the class filtered out, she locked the door behind them, ‘Time to go to work is it?’ she slipped into their usual mental communion without a thought as she headed to the locked room beside the office. Romulus joined her, she on one side of the door and he on the other. Their hands lifted and, as one, touched innocuous, plain looking panels on either side of the door. There was a beep and a cold, AI voice spoke, “Scans confirmed, Locks disengaged.” The door opened and inside were two sets of armor, racks of weapons, and several satchels and equipment belts.

Both of them shucked out of the fatigues they wore while they trained the Eriaduans and began slipping into the black, almost silk-like clothes they wore under their Electromesh combat suits. There was no body shame between them, they’d done this so many times, not to mention stitching each other up when they had no access to a Bacta tank, they knew each other’s bodies inside and out.

‘So, what work does Dad have for us?’ Remus thought-asked.

‘Close protection of one Quintad member, the current Speaker, assisting a team already on site. As well, figuring out what Eris is doing with another, seems she’s been a bad girl and Dad had to spank her.’ he replied in the same method.

She snorted, laughing, ‘Sounds like Eris all right, always playing the political game and skirting the edges of the Society needs, surprised Dad hasn’t sent us after her yet.’ as she began pulling on her Electromesh.

Romulus was mostly into his combat suit now, ‘If he sends us against her too then he does, but for now we have to ensure whatever she did will remain secure.’ He turned and swept a cloak from one of the hooks by the door before lifting a Tac-HUD sniper rifle from a rack, ensuring the weapon was on safe and had a full battery for charges. He slipped a few backup battery cells into a pouch on the equipment belt he also wrapped around his waist, under the cloak.

‘I’ll set the detection program on the code so it can narrow it down as we work and then, if the trouble hasn’t come yet I’ll check on wherever it is located.’ Remus sent as she finished suiting up and pulled a pair of ST-W48 blaster rifles from the rack, checking the safeties and load on the underslung bowcasters before slinging them over her shoulders. She clicked an equipment belt in place, slipping battery cells and reloads for the caster bolts in pouches on the belt, before retrieving a pair of satchels.

Into the satchels she added two boxes with more battery cells for all three weapons and another several reloads for the caster bolts before adding rations, spare clothes, boots, grenades, knives, and a handful of small remote drones. Looking over she saw Romulus strapping his favored kukri to his hips, ‘Still using those? Think Dad likes the choice?’

He sheathed the two blades after ensuring the edges were still razor sharp then cocked his head, looking back at her, ‘As much as I’m sure he would enjoy you favoring throwing stilettos, but he never shows how he feels so who really knows. They’re just good blades to use.’

She sheathed the brace of knives to various sheathes around her person before dividing out the grenades between them. These they were even more careful with, each could level a build or two. Strapped in place each took a satchel, now both looking like hikers, and stepped out of the vault. Romulus closed the door and when the bolts slammed home that same cold, electronic voice spoke “Vault secure, countermeasures active.”

Slipping out of the building, they moved from shadow to shadow as they left the military compound their training facility was located on. The Eriaduans had good security, especially for a Special Forces one, but they had trained almost every soldier there and had, of course, held back a few tricks which they employed now. Now off the military reservation they skirted the city and followed the pulses on the wristpads they wore to assist them in travelling to the Malek estate.

Romulus and Remus traveled quietly through the city and out into the more sparsely populated area where the nobles had their estates. Out here there were stands of trees that separated such, and separated the estates from traffic. Some had larger forests around them than others. But they only had to reach the one that concerned them. The others mattered not, for the nonce.

As the pair of them approached, they removed several small remotes from their rucks and had them slip around the estate, giving them a coverage zone that should take in all angles. Each remote had an attached blaster with enough of a charge to either provide a distraction or cause some damage before they were destroyed. The data coming back from the remotes indicated that someone had strung the trees ringing the estate with some sort of mono-filament. Which meant the Sith had beaten them there.

Because of this they slowed their approach and let their senses out, trying, as passively as possible, to feel where the Sith, singular or multiple, could be without giving away their own presence. Remus felt a sense of darkness from one direction so they slipped more around the estate than they had originally planned. Finding a spot away from where the trap had been laid in, they prepared a rough position and staked out the estate.

The sound of an approaching freighter began to grow. Remus turned and saw such a craft on a bearing for the Malek estate. She shook her head ‘Think they are prepared for what the Sith has up its sleeve?’

Romulus had kept his attention focused on the estate itself and, in the trees he could see glinting from time to time as the branches swayed and the sunlight passed through them. ‘Prepared for what surprise it seems the Sith has in the trees, probably something to cut the estate off from the rest of Eriadu, no. But, for now we will observe and wait to make contact.’

They settled back down, each scanning a half of the field of view, overlapping slightly, as the freighter began it’s approach to the estate. As it passed by the forest there was a bright flash and then the sound of engines began to wind down as the ship settled to the forest floor. Romulus shook his head as it told him they hadn’t even considered the forest could be used against them.

Remus nudged Romulus and pointed, a figure was loping toward the ship. As he watched through the scope he could see a male, blaster in hand reach the freighter and rip the windows off the ship. ‘Sith’ he sent to Remus.

‘Duh’ was the response he got along with the image of her sticking out her tongue. She reached into her ruck and pulled out the datapad but when she went to send a message she saw that something was keeping anything from being sent or, probably, received. ‘Jamming.’

Romulus thought quickly, ‘We’re here to assist. That team has point so we no giving away our position yet. See how they respond and react as needed. If they can’t stop the Sith we will step in.’

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @Anedon, @Adalia-Durron, @adaml83, @I_am_Kooky