Star Wars Legacy of the Force: The Last Stand

OOC: Fun, long, combo split into two parts, with @Adalia-Durron and @Sinrebirth

IC Bernael, Renn, Ebony, Wyyrlok, Morto, and Anddooku
Battle, In and Out Part 1

A smile came to Bernael’s face, as the attack burst forth. Andeddu was almost predictable, as was Wyrrlok’s non response to all that was occurring. Bernael’s mental shields over his most core areas were already at their highest possible strength as he boosted in the physical plane, ducking swiftly, saber leaping to his hand as he half rolled, coming up in a slashing upward curve across Andeddu’s form even as small charges of the lightning broke through his shields for a moment. By luck, or fate, the leakers collided against the locked off section of Bernael’s mind, charring the enormously thick gate, doing a small amount of damage. As the lightning hit a distant roaring and a sound like something quite large pounding toward the door echoed in his mind.

A small thought broke free of his mind, headed to Renn, ’Taking your sweet time, tree!’

Renn, for his part, was relaxing, leaning against, well basically nothing, while the standoff occurred with the kitty. So when the tower began shaking and rumbling he knew exactly what it was. He didn’t change his posture but internally he was ready to move immediately if the Sith moved. He could feel the tensing in the other, and the flow of the Force that told him the other was communing with his master. And then he got the vampire’s message. ’Hanging out with your new Sith friend’s errand boy.’ he sent back with just enough of an opening that Morto would be able to read the message, if he was paying attention.

The ground shuddered causing Ebony to turn toward the distant estate as she watched a tower on one side sway slightly. She turned to Renn, “Is it just me, or is that tower moving?” She didn’t get to hear a response right away as her comm chimed. Pulling it out she checked the name and bit her lip, she didn’t want to take this call, but truth was she had no choice. “Leong.” She answered.

"Kya here, report on the location of the Shadow and his cohorts." His voice was rough. "I'm about to head to the frontline and I need to know where Tehanis is."

The castle tower was indeed sagging, and Wyyrlok turned to leave, marching out the castle without his prize. It was too dangerous in either instance. He met Morto at the exit, who was peering into the forest. "Where is the other one?"

"The Neti? He retreated into the forest... possibly with a woman in tow. Shall we follow?"

Wyyrlok paused, casting his senses out, the equivalent of a rummaging, violent, claw cutting through the Force to where Renn was hiding.

For AndedDooku, he recoiled, his real body smoking from the mental damage. He abandoned the mindscape entirely, clearly unable to break Bernael in that manner. He merely drew on the genetic memory of Lord Tyranus, in-part coded in all his family. It would have to do, with his own Force sensitivity. Makashi rippled across his mind, and he advanced, riposting at the Anzati's ankle before withdrawing from that feint, using the curvature of the saber hilt to angle back a stab at - and hopefully through - his throat with a swiftness that no simple straight hilt could achieve.

She drew a deep breath. "Location of Shadow confirmed Serenno, location of Tehanis, unknown." she decided a cold basic report was all that required at this point.

"Are you able to bring Shadow in?" Kya said, appreciating the shortness of Ebony's replies. His mind was frantically rushing over the data he had about Serenno. Presently a GA member, though ambivalent to it. The sector had stayed out of the galactic stage since the Battle of Celanon wrecked its private armada... almost thirty years ago. Why would the Shadow be there?

"Are you aware of what Shadow's business on Serenno is?"

"Not at this stage and no, still under investigation." She wanted this over.

Bernael felt the battle on the mental plane fade which told him that Andeddu/Dooku was making this a purely physical plane battle. Even as he completely focused on the physical, his free hand shot down the saber from that hip leaping into it. His other hand swept up, arcing across the front of his body. He felt the heat and a singe to his ankle as the first of his sabers managed to deflect the feint.

Eyes tracking, they narrowed for a moment behind his mask as he saw strands of his hair floating free where the stabbing saber of his foe had sliced them free when his first saber deflected it from his throat. He could feel a dribble of blood along the side of his neck telling him he’d not quite fully deflected it but had kept it from hitting anything vital.

Two could play that game, his foe hadn’t realized they used similar style sabers, even though he knew he faced a foe that could move almost faster than sight. He let his boosted strength and speed drive his pistol grip saber forward just a fraction at the wrist which translated to his blade shrieking down the length of his foe’s blade, toward the hand and arm. His other swept up and outward, the sweep aimed at the inside of Andeddu’s near knee.

Renn felt the mental claw of Wyyrlok’s, as it searched him out. ’Well boyo, you’re about as unsubtle as a rancor.’ he thought, letting it free to follow back the massive stick of Force the Sith was using when subtlety would work much better. Otherwise he let his mental defenses twist and slide around the energy directed at him, deflecting it back and forth, not allowing it a toehold where it could pin him down to any one point.

Turning to the bounty hunter, he could sense her anxiety, not induced by the display at the Estate, but seemingly directed more toward the call she was on. ”Vampire's early playmates are out and about, seems they’re looking for us now.” Of course he left out the part that the kitty’s master was looking for him and not them both, fear of the unknown was a great motivator.

Andeddu shucked his arm, pushing the blade off his as it rushed down his own, but still the blade skittered across arm and elbow, giving rise of a burning musk. He shifted his foot back, away from the knee strike, taking a blade tip through the kneecap but in exchange he inverted the blade and brought his guard up into Bernael's chest - not so much attacking as holding his upper body in place - into his momentum, giving damage for damage -

With the inversion he had nicked Bernael's upper arm, and now his blade was sizzling away at his chest. Once Andeddu shifted the angle of his wrists he could slash out, removing Bernael's upper body at chest height, but the damage to his arm slowed him -

Thus was the minor issue Bernael faced; Andeddu animated the body like a marionette. If they thought damage for damage, Andeddu would not be concerned, while Bernael had only the one body. Andeddu would just take another.

Bernael grinned as he felt the handle at his chest, Andeddu seemed to know what he was but, as with so very many before he’d forgotten Anzati had no heart. Force Pushing against the hand and himself at the same time he sprang backward. The pain in his arm, ankle, and neck were distant sensations but it made him pause for thought.

The grin stayed in place as he skidded to a halt. One saber suddenly clipped to his belt and the hand gestured, Pulling hard at the base of the curved bladed saber in the wounded arm, intending to wrench it out of his foe’s grasp. At the same time he directed a weaker stream of Lightning out of the tip of his other saber, at nothing more than the Holocron itself. The truly necessary battle to win here was to force the spirit of Andeddu out of Dooku, either by destroying his holocron and saber or by taking control of them.

Andeddu growled as muscle memory directed him to target a heart that Bernael didn't have. He allowed Bernael to wrench the lightsaber from his hands, keeping control on it merely to spin it, tipping the blade through Bernael's clavicle, causing his arm to drop, the tendons severed -

He saw Bernael's hand turn away to another target and, his hands free, took advantage to sweep his hands up to burst blood vessels and twist bones up Bernael's form - an incomplete action, because he then saw that the target was his Holocron. Which, as he had no attachment to Dooku, he definitely needed in lieu of another body being to hand.

He redirected his efforts to defend his Holocron, already nimbused in energy, with a scream of No.

As much as Bernael had left himself vulnerable for an instant while trying to disarm Andeddu and strike the Holocron, now Andeddu was vulnerable even moreso.

A tight grimace appeared on Bernael’s face for a moment as the tendons parted but injuries were a price to pay to turn the tide of battle. The arm hung limp and he could feel muscle and tendon beginning to knit themselves back together, slowly. But that was incidental to the necessity of combat. The saber hilt, now free of both their grasps, dropped and rolled under one of the shelves. The saber arm lifted, point still toward Andeddu.

Bernael spun, disabled arm flopping uselessly for now, under the saber arm. At the last minute he let off the lightning, spinning the blade rapidly around his head and ending the strike as the blade sliced through Andeddu/Dooku’s neck, lifting his head from his body. He brought the blade back up and reached out in the Force to, once again wrench the Holocron from the body before him.

The head left as Bernael spun, but Anddedu had turned to see what was coming as Bernael shifted his attack.

His mind seized his own lightsaber and inverted it, and as much as Dooku's head was removed, Andeddu's blade stabbed through Bernael and Dooku, the latter body collapsing as the lightsaber winked out.

Andeddu swept free, plunging into his Holocron as it arrived in Bernael's hand.

The rather wounded Anzati.

Aden's voice grew irritable. "You're a bounty hunter; bring him to me now. He's just a Force user; any hunter worth the credits I'm paying can handle that, no?"

She stared at her commlink. 'Was he serious?' she wondered. "Working on it." She responded then closed the link. She did not wish to speak to him any longer.

Wyyrlok sensed the violence, and the stench of blood and burned flesh. Morto looked back to the castle. Wyyrlok tapped a chin, and then reached out for the ship settled in the forest, grabbing it with the Force, and pulling it towards him through the foliage and trees.

Renn looked up, surprise on his face as the Fury was grabbed. ”Crud, the vampire’s going to be even more pissed about this. Lady, better finish that call and follow me or Bernael will want to eat us both if something has happened to his Fury.”

With that he began straining with his own mind, attempting to slow the movement of the ship, moving through the trees as his efforts did only slow the progress.

Bernael looked down at the hole in his chest, straight through his body, ‘’Damn it, another hole?’ he thought as the Holocron lodged in his hand. He tucked it into a secured fold inside his cloak before leaning against the desk for a moment. He reached deep inside, sucking the essence from several souls to speed his healing. He knew he’d have to feed soon to replace the lost energy.

As he healed his wristpad vibrated and squawked. Lifting it he saw an emergency broadcast from the Fury, someone was using the Force to move it. ”Wyyrlok!” he snarled, then a predatory grin crossed his face.

*Emergency full power lift, engage hyperdrive for a moment if needed, turn the forest into mulch but engage in direction of the pull.*

He sent to the ship, and then, even over the cracking and groaning of the turret he was in, he heard the engines of his Fury begin to scream. Moving to the window, he could see the precarious balance of the turret his was in now and how it would be almost impossible to make it back downstairs anymore. However, he could see the grounds before the turret and they were open enough.

Sighing, he used his kind’s natural camouflage to disappear, dove through the window, let gravity carry him to the ground. Just before impact he Pushed against the ground, cushioning his fall, then hit the ground with a grunt of pain. Letting the cloak blend into the landscape he made his way toward the sound of turbolaser batteries firing.

Ebony jumped backwards, was this ship moving on its own? She heard what Renn said but was stunned, "Eat us?" She'd read about it, but didn't believe he actually ate beings, or did he?

Renn was straining to keep the ship from moving too quickly in the direction it was heading. He heard the engines spool up rapidly and sprinted away from the back end of the ship, ”Run! Unless you want to be barbecued for the vampire’s meal” he yelled at the bounty hunter.

He got into a better position, still straining to keep the ship from traveling toward the Estate, but then had to quickly close off his ears as the turbolaser batteries and the missile launchers went into rapid fire in the direction the Fury was being pulled.

"Run?!?!" She chose the opposite direction, it made sense to her.

Renn sighed as he tried to keep the Fury from being dragged further as he saw her running. ’If that bucket of bolts of yours is armed, get in the air and add your firepower to this fight!’ was planted directly into her mind.

TAGS: @Adalia-Durron, @Sinrebirth

 

A fun and long winded combo with @Sinrebirth and @darthbernael - am exhausted!

IC Bernael, Renn, Ebony, Wyyrlok, Morto, and Anddooku
Battle, In and Out Part 2

She heard his voice in her head and stumbled slightly but was at her ship now and clawed her way up the ramp unlocking the field before skidding into the cockpit. Ebony's hands flew over the controls with precision and years of practice, within seconds the engines had roared to life. The ability to move fast was a huge benefit her craft and swinging its nose around she accelerated toward the moving Fury. "Do it again, tell me what you want blasted!" She hissed hoping Renn would hear.

Renn felt her reply and thought quickly, recalling the one he’d seen and the impression of the other. ’Two beings, near the entrance to the Estate, a Togorian and I believe a Chagrian. The Chagrian is more important but lay waste to them both.’

"On It" she bit out accelerating and bringing the ship around 180 degrees to be behind the targets and brought her weapons up. "I damn well hope you ain't feeding me poodoo." She ground out as she took aim and began to fire.

Wyyrlok gestured the rear of the ship up, so it was pointing nose down to the planet. He turned to look for Bernael, who he could sense was wounded, having impacted the ground. "Morto, get the Holocron."

The Togorian, and turned, igniting his oversized lightsaber hilt; a light club, for all intends and purposes. He swung broadly, cutting apart foliage with swing and swing, letting the momentum of it cause the next cut. He was radiating darkness into the Force, humming to himself.

Wyyrlok with his free hand triggered his comlink and called his own assault ship; the prototype Fury-class assault ship. The slave circuit triggered it, and it would position itself above the tumult, guns active. When in position, the Chagrian ordered it to fire on the Dooku estate.



It was only then he sensed Ebony's ship. "Hmmmm."

Bernael sensed the Togorian making its way toward him. ’Overconfident Sith.’ He gathered his energy, devouring a couple smaller souls to boost his energy as he drew his own energy in, so as to blend even more into the background energy of the grounds. He heard the battle over his Fury continuing as well as the sound of another craft making its way toward the estate.

He trusted Renn to ensure his Fury was protected. The sounds of the undergrowth being hacked apart grew as his newest foe moved toward him.

Renn saw the Fury twist in the air and knew the protocols the vampire would have enacted. Reaching out he added his own energy to the maelstrom centered on the craft, even as the bounty hunter opened fire on the Sith. His touch turned the aft end of the ship back to the horizontal and he closed even more on the Sith. An appendage grew from his side, ripping a thermite grenade from its clip, activating it, waiting for the countdown to drop to almost nil, then with a Force assisted throw aimed it at the horns of the not so distant Sith.

The two beings seemed to be either avoiding her fire or deflecting it, she wasn't sure. Ebony did know her forward canons were working overtime. A blip on the screen alerted her to the incoming Fury, she needed to stop whatever was doing that. "Right, we're playing with the big boys, got it." She leaned over flicked two switches. "Bringing out the big guns." she muttered as two proton torpedoes loaded.

The One Sith Fury detected the targeting and danced, juking and ceasing its fire on the others, giving them a breather. It rolled up, trying to get above Ebony's ship.

Wyyrlok was not so distracted as to miss the attack from Renn, and he simply squeezed his hand, detonating the grenade a mere metre from the Neti. Bearing his fangs, he allowed a fork of lightning to dance across Bernael's ship’s hull, exploding external comm antennae and dancing across the engines though no explosions followed.

Morto, wary that he was now having difficulty sensing his foe, paused, and sent out a multi-directional blow of Force pressure, flattening the trees around him for three metres.

’Ohhh the vampire is not going to be pleased, he’s going to take someone’s hide off for that.’ Renn let flit through his mind as he reached out one hand, and with a massive yank, pulled directly on the horns of the Chagrian’s head, attempting to yank the Sith’s head around and distract him further.

Having sensed the wave coming and leapt to the top of the Estate wall, Bernael smiled behind his mask as the wave of Force pressure blasted the area around him. He concentrated for a moment and allowed the sound and motion of a body in the undergrowth to be seen and heard near the middle of the overgrown area ahead of Mort, from his concealment.

Ebony caught a movement out the corner of her eye. "Above me huh?, we'll see about that." Leaning over she activated the upper turbo blasters and the screen popped up to her right. "Just need to take those guns............out." She muttered glancing between her two targets and checking she was ready to move if needed. She had a bad feeling about this. She returned her attention to the torpedoes and touching a button let one of them go at the pair before her.

The AI controlled Sith ship was no match for Ebony's reflexes, but it had automated programs to avoid the torpedoes, wheeling away and looking to interpose something between the missiles and it - so it opted for the castle. The explosives hit, ripping apart the stately home of the Dooku family -

Morto jumped, swinging his lightclub down with incredible speed and strength on the 'mound' slashing it apart -

Wyyrlok felt his chin tweaked and he resisted, glowering and reaching for Ebony's ship and tugged down on it, trying to slam it upon Renn's position.

But in the distance, alarms keened, and they all knew that the local authorities would be intervening soon enough. Indeed, on Ebony's scopes, and on the Sith Fury's sensors, a quartet of old Separatist droid gunships lifted from a local base and were on their way.

Bernael allowed himself to use all his speed as he moved. He knew Togorians were fast, catlike anyway so they had superb reflexes, but his kind had been created so that they could take even species like that. He smiled as he blurred, as the club of Morto descended. By the time the Sith had reacted to the false movement Bernael was already behind him.

As he recovered, he’d find he’d erred as Bernael latched onto his back, his proboscises whipping around and swiftly burrowing into his snout. A purring whisper. "Relax and enjoy the pain little Sith, I’m not going to kill you, just leave you the next best thing to it. And if Renn doesn’t kill your Master tell him to stay out of my way and I’ll see that the Dark rises again.”

Renn, for his part was tiring of this young but strong Sith acting as though he had complete control of this situation. He opened himself to the Force that suffused this world. As he breathed in the energy the land around him began to wither and die. Holding the Fury where it was, turning it slightly back and forth so that he could tell he was wresting control from Wyyrlok he extended a third upper body limb and reached out to the sky, taking hold of the One Sith Fury.

Even as its engines screamed he wrenched it down from the sky hearing the engines fight him, feeling the bolts descending toward him as the AI re-targeted and attacked him, recognizing him as the new primary threat. He yanked, and, retaining control of it as he threw it, he threw it directly at Wyyrlok. Whether it killed him or just injured he didn’t care, as long as the Sith’s concentration was broken and he recovered the vampire's ship. ”Hey hornless, think your apprentice is about to be the vampire’s appetizer, may want to do something about it!” he called out across the distance as he felt Bernael feed through the bond they shared.

Ebony shielded her face from the explosion and debris flying, that wasn't her intended target. She was pissed now, these whatever they were had made her look bad. Looking at her screen she cursed, there was incoming local law enforcement. She thought hard hoping Renn would pick it up. 'We have company coming in, need to get out of here now.'

She turned her attention back to the fight; it was being lost by one clearly but the other was the issue. "Ok, you asked for it." A few flicks and pushes later she opened on the singular figure left with all she had, 8 guns in all now fired up the being.

Wyyrlok dove; he had no choice. As much as he reached out and sent a lightsaber through the limb from Renn's attack, he could not do much for himself. Into the jungle undergrowth he went to avoid Ebony's attack with a snarl. He felt pain from Morto, and panic, and the Sith Lord hissed as blaster fire inevitably tracked him.

But using Morto as the connection, he sent a jolt through the Togorian remotely, anticipating that the Anzati had latched on. Then with the Force to his feet, he leapt up, shielding himself from the potential attack by Renn and releasing the Fury that Bernael had brought with him. It took little to land on Ebony's cockpit with a lightsaber in hand. He grinned, meeting her eyes, and crouched, driving his blade through the transparisteel, the weapon cutting through the console in front of her. With the Force touching his feet anew, he leaped to his own ship, landing atop the hull and peering down at the jungle.

With a twist of his mind, he ordered his ship to fire on Bernael's grounded ship, though he appreciated he had given the Neti plenty of time to respond. He was focused on Morto, on drawing him up into the sky back to his ship. "Come here, you foolish Togorian."

He could keenly sense Bernael was wounded, and grievously so, but he would not be able to capitalise on it. Not with Serenno's droid ships on the way. Indeed, the angle of their approach meant that when they did reach them, Renn's position would fall under their cannons first, in a matter of moments.

Wyyrlok grinned. Perhaps he'll focus on them, and saving his friends, than killing me.

The Tigorian was on her cockpit. "What the...?" She bit out as it raised its crimson lightsaber and drove it into her console through the transparisteel cockpit. Her instincts were to remove the offending passenger so as he was doing this, she was tipping her craft 45 degrees to Port. Alarms were going off around her as he un-welcome passenger departed and sparks began to erupt from her console. "Son of a ...." She snarled noting her hyperdrive have been destroyed. Swinging her craft around she saw where he landed on another ship, and began to fire with all 8 guns.

Renn writhed as his control over the One Sith Fury was broken by Wyyrlok’s attack. As he saw the Chagrian leap about the sky he swiftly grew a limb, using the energy he was still drawing from the forest, swiping a blaster from his equipment belt and firing off a series of aimed shots estimating the trajectories his foe would use.

He did not worry was the Sith ship fired on Bernael’s Fury, damage had already been done but he could tell the shields were still operable enough, which let him simply use a touch of energy to swing the Fury onto the area where the vegetation had withered around him. This had the added benefit of obscuring him from the view of the incoming Serenno defense ships.

Making his way up the ramp, he headed toward the bridge, where he opened a channel to the defense forces. ”Serenno Defense Forces, this is Renn Turon, on board the grounded ship. My companions and I were here on legitimate business with the Count of Serenno when the ship that is currently firing on mine assaulted the estate, killing the Count.” He folded the bounty hunter into the group. While she was after Bernael, she had aided him in defending the Fury and Bernael and he wouldn’t let her get taken in as a foe.

Bernael drank of Morto’s essence, refilling his energy to a degree. He could still feel the lethargy of the healing sleep calling but he couldn’t allow it to take him until they were safely away. And then he was blasted backward, his proboscises writhing, as the energy from Wyyrlok’s attack surged through both himself and Morto. Closing off his pain receptors he came to his feet several meters from the Togorian, just in time to see him lifted from the ground with the Force. Painfully reaching into his cloak, he retrieved a tiny device and as his foe was whisked away, he threw it, and closed his eyes for a moment, satisfied, as the device landed and melded to the harness the Togorian wore. If nothing else he’d be able to track the Sith for a time now.

The sounds of more craft incoming made him open his eyes again and get moving. Letting the chameleon cloth do its work, he slipped from shadow to shadow, utilizing the debris from the damage to the castle to aid him. He managed to make it to his Fury and slipped into the main lounge where he collapsed on the couch before the holotable. In a low, carrying, voice. ”Get whoever the hell that crazy pilot is onboard and let’s get out of here Renn, we have what we need.”

Renn heard Bernael board and his short message. Reaching out his mind to the bounty hunter, ’Whoever you are, I can tell you can’t fly out so get down here, get onboard and we’ll resolve it as we depart.’

The local Authorities would be here in less than five minutes, she had the clear out, taking the filthy creature down was not an option now. Spinning her ship 180 degrees she began to gun the engines when a mental message came through. She shook her head. "NO!" she yelled over the rushing air coming in through the hole in the viewport. Knowing he couldn't hear her, she thought as she accelerated. 'Space port, not leaving my girl here for the locals to butcher.' She'd secured a private berth and her 'The Dark Shadow' would be safe there once the locked her down. 'Follow' she thought, she was very distracted.

The droid gunships were visible across the horizon, even as Wyyrlok secured Morto aboard his ship, blaster bolts pinging by his head with annoying closeness; the Neti was very annoying. He tuned into the general frequency that Renn was using, and visualised and fired on the ship as it sought to snuggle in the undergrowth, exposing it. The shields took damage but a console exploded over him with abrupt suddenness as the converter within was overwhelmed, Electricity would coruscate across his body, even as superheated shards of metal lodged in the bark of his face and upper body -

As much as Wyyrlok would love to have fired again through the downed shields, he had to go. The Sith Lord turned his ship up to the sky and gunned for orbit.

Bernael and Renn were injured, and Ebony's ship had lost its hyperdrive, and of course the Fury was damaged, but Ebony was mostly intact and the Fury still had its hyperdrive.

Three of the five Gunships pursued Wyyrlok, but two, unpersuaded by the words of a target, sought the others on the ground - the target of the fire. As droids, they simply began firing through the forest to expose their foe -

It would seem as if Ebony was in-charge for a moment, what with the injuries to her comrades.

Of course, she had a mission to bring the Anzati in, as well, if she opted to complete her bounty this was the best change she would ever get.

Touching her damaged craft down into the secure hangar bay with the ceiling closing above, she shut it down in record speed knowing she had to get the frack out of here fast. Running to the seemingly blank wall she palmed a small square panel and the wall slide back to reveal a weapon cache. She narrowed her eyes as she mentally went through what she might need. Grabbing the blaster rifle she swung it over her shoulder before grabbing to blaster pistols in a set of hip holsters and strapping them on. Next, she pulled out four thermal detonators and hooked them to the belt then finally a holdout blaster and virbro blade she slipped into each boot which held sheaths for them. Closing the panel again she dashed into her quarters and reached under the bed where she kept an emergency ‘quick escape’ bag containing clothes and other supplies she may require. Dragging it out she swung it over her other shoulder then made her way to the down ramp. As it extended, she activated the internal security systems, anyone trying to board would be in for a rude shock or worse. Stopping she calmed herself as best she could and hoped beyond hope that Renn had indeed heard her and she was getting a ride as she’d had no confirmation other than the Ship trailing her. For all she knew she’d just chosen a good escape route.

Bernael sat in the lounge, half asleep as he felt the bolts hitting the ship. He reached into his mind and, still deeply annoyed at Dooku, Wyyrlok, and all that had occurred that had caused such chaos, he reached out with the Force, swatting one of the two droid ships chasing the Fury into the second. He heard Renn’s pained bellow in the bridge, as he felt the satisfaction of the two droid ships exploding above.

Renn staggered as the panel exploded, the roar he let out shook the panels around him, hanging loose. ”Follow that bounty hunter, land near the hangar she lands at, prepare to receive her onboard.” he instructed the pilot AI before slipping out of the hatch.

He passed Bernael, muttering about having gotten caught up in more schemes of the vampire, before reaching the medbay. The UV lights snapped on the moment he entered, sensing which of the beings onboard needed tending to. As the Fury flew, evading sensors that they could en-route to the landing field, he assisted the medba droid in removing as much of the fragments as could be quickly removed, the others would wait until there was more time. He basked in the UV lights as the ship finished it’s travel and landed.

Renn left the medbay, wrapped in bandages to hold his bark together and soothe the electrical burns he’d received, heading toward the ramp. Pressing the stud, after landing, he descended, sensing the bounty hunter standing nearby. Turning toward her, ”No time like the present to join us. Get onboard and we can leave this frustrating world.”

She'd exited the hangar and locked it down while looking up for her hopefully intended ride. Relief and dread washed over her as it landed nearby, she was still unsure as to allegiances and boarding this ship would make them clear. She'd earn the hatred and anger of her employer, or former employer if she did so.

Renn appeared, bandaged, that intrigued her. Did trees need bandages? She stepped forward. "I need to know I can and will come back for my ship." she kept her voice even and cold.

Renn chuckled, ”We may both be ancient monsters but we’re not kidnapping you. Should you choose, yes you can and will come back for it. Hell, my ship is, hmmmm, several dozen parsecs away right now.”

He turned and gestured up the ramp, “Expediting our departure may be good, dead Count, extreme damage to his estate, loose Sith, destroyed Defense Force ships, soon all will be grounded here.”

Ebony had to trust him, at this point she had no choice. Re-hoisting her bag to her shoulder and adjusting her rifle and headed up the ramp. Her choice had been made.


TAG @Sinrebirth but I'm pretty sure you know about this

 

OOC: Some fun with @Sinrebirth in a combo

IC Romulus and Remus
Time to retrieve the package

Romulus covered the exterior of the building, his rifle before him and his datapad tracking the drones Remus had released to scan and watch the exterior. He’d heard a noise and sent a remote to check on it. Through his scope he’d seen the package before the curtains were closed and shook his head. Eris was getting sloppy if she’d allowed the one she’d taken to have access to an exterior wall or window. That or she truly was courting having Dad end her existence.

Remus had chosen another set of drones, these spider like in appearance and sent them into the building. They were small enough that they fit through even the smallest gaps in seals around doors or windows. Spreading throughout the building, they scanned the interior and reported back to her datapad all they found, droid, sentient, or otherwise. Likewise, the door to the room the package was in was scanned for any potential boobytraps and then the remotes moved on, leaving one to observe the door.

Turning to Rom, ’Something is off, doesn’t feel like it inside, but outside I just felt death.’

Just as he felt her message in his mind the remote came around the corner of the building and two fading heat sources showed in it’s pickup. Switching to visual he saw two guards in the colors of Eris’s house laying bleeding out on the ground. Shaking his head again, Eris was going to have a lot to explain to Dad when this was over, he replied ’Eris is sloppy, two guards outside and what we both felt was their deaths, and I sensed two other presences, now drawn back. I suspect they are waiting for us to retrieve the package and then take it from us.’

Rem bounced a little where she was hidden on the building top, ’Ohhh time to try out a new toy.’ She tapped on the datapad and two cat sized droids emerged from her ruck, deflating it almost completely. A couple more commands and the doids leapt off of the building, landing in the alleyway. When they hit the ground what stood there were not the droids but what seemed to be the two of them. Except for a Force presence the two facsimiles gave off the life signs of the two Nagai they were imitating.

The faux Rom and Rem made their way across the street, covering both the front and back of the street as they moved. Once across it appeared that Rem fiddled with the front door, picking the lock and they slipped inside. Keeping tactical distance they made their way through the building until they reached the door to the room the package was in. ‘Rem’ turned away and covered the hallway while Rom spoke up, ”Rivoche Paige-Tarkin? An old family friend, protector, has sent us to retrieve you and protect you. Stand away from the door and we will enter.”

Rivoche paused mid-sip, and spoke up. "How do I know that you can be trusted? That now my homeworld has dedicated to the Confederation, Colonel Solo hasn't sent his pet assassin to kill me?" It was a stalling tactic, of course. She headed to the doorway, back to her window. "Especially as my guards appear to have been killed by you?" She called out, frantically looking for something in her very pedestrian cottage to use as a weapon.

She only had dinner knives, not even chopping ones...

The two Umbarans watched, amused. Clearly this was a kind of strategy game they enjoyed.

Rem watched the feed and listened to Rivoche’s response. Shaking her head, ’Such a Tarkin.’ she sent to Rom before responding through the droid.

”Ser B would be sorely disappointed if we allowed you to be taken or killed, but believe us or not, believe we’d be stupid enough to kill your guardians, disable maybe but not kill, while trying to free you is asinine. There are two Sith attempting to take your life, and either we retrieve you or you die at their hands.”

Rom continued scanning the area, sensing for dips or voids in the Force so that he could find the Sith that had tailed them. He was sure it had been them that had concocted this plan to kill only the guards for now, to attempt to cause the confusion happening even now.

"Ser B?" Rivoche knew about the Anzati who had been ensnared the Tarkin family in wider events a century or so ago. Though there had been decades where the two lines did not cross, as of late, the Society had became more active in the recent years... Rivoche reasoned that some event had caught his eye, though it was some twenty five years ago now... around the time of the Ragnos Crisis.

It was a mystery, but Rivoche liked having some firepower in the corner. "Two Sith, eh? Always two... here I was hoping Lumiya's reported passing would drive them into hiding for a bit." She shook her head, and rushed to the front door, collecting her case - the bag she had lived out of since being moved here.

The door opened and a shot took her in the shoulder - from an entirely different direction to where the Force was empty... they had set up an automated blaster on the edge of the forest clearing! Rivoche fell back into the house, clutching her wound. It wasn't terminal, she knew that - but she'd been lucky.

The weapon in the hand of the faux Rem snapped up at the same time as the weapon in the hand of the faux Rom. In the positions they had taken it actually assisted them as their blasters went off as one. His fired down the track the shot had come and hers directly into the center of the empty space in the force.

She stepped forward snapping shot after shot off, toward the empty patch as Rom stepped backward, in synch with her, shots continuing to fire toward the source of the shot. As they came level with Rivoche, Rem dropped, weapon up still firing off occasional shots. One hand reached down and the feeling of a needle entering her skin would be felt by Rivoche. Of course this was one of the spider's limbs, injecting a quick foaming wound blocker, derived from the crushed shells of sea creatures.

”Stay low and let's get you out of here.” she said, crouching and keeping her weapon trained toward where she had been firing.

On the rooftop the real Rem retrieved a pair of the remotes that she had deployed at the Malek estate. Tossing them off the rooftop behind them she set one to triangulate on the faux Rom’s firing and attack the source of the sniper shot. The other she sent toward where Rom had pointed out the void in the Force, which she could now sense too.

Rom kept his gaze scanning the building for any other threats while he kept the barrel of his sniper rifle generally pointed in the direction of the void, waiting for either or both of the Sith to show themselves so that he could enjoy downing one of those creatures.

The blaster bolts consumed the tree the remote was setup on, and tipped, dropping into the yard. The twins chuckled to themselves and spread their void wider, pushing it outward to consume the surrounding area. When the void met either of their enemies, they would feel their access to the Force grow cloudy - difficult to reach for, to the point of a blockage.

Physically, they stepped apart, making it easier to push out over a wider gap, sure to use the Force to nudge the undergrowth in various directions to conceal their movement.

Rem growled as one remote was shot down, but they were built for such and as such she knew it had given them a fraction more intelligence. But she also felt the edges of her sense dulling somewhat, which also made her growl. ’If you don’t have a shot I think it’s time to displace and move to another hide until we can determine if we must go in and retrieve the package ourselves.’ she thought/said to Rom.

Rom was scanning the area of the void as she spoke, a feral grin appearing on his face. He thumbed the selector, waited for the tone, then slid back, lifting the barrel once he was sure that it couldn’t be seen, and triggered two rounds.

’Displace now.’ he sent to Rem as he put action to words himself. The two rounds he’d let fly were tracking rounds, having locked on to movement of the vegetation. When they reached the apogee of their flight and tipped over the noses would open and tiny sub-munitions would deploy, scattering all around the affected and targeted area as they descended.

Both of them, as silently as possible moved back from the hide, until their senses were as unclouded as possible while staying close to the target. They descended the back of the building and moved around it, knowing they were closer to where the blaster fire had erupted but it was the lesser of the two evils at the moment. Rem kept part of her attention fixed on the datapad so that they could react immediately once Rivoche was ready to move.

Rom felt a vibration from his sniper rifle, ’Incoming’ he sent to Rem. She smiled in response and sent a pair more remotes toward where the blaster fire had come from. They may be closing on it but better to be sure and give their foe multiple targets than allow them the opportunity to end this quickly.

Nyss hissed. "These guys are smart, sister."

"So are we, brother," whispered Syll.

The enemy twins were picking apart their hastily placed remote blasters, but their main objective was to encompass them with the Void and cut them from the Force. But then -

Above, brother! Nyss grimaced as the forest was suddenly caught in a rain of fire, and he ignited a lightsaber, deflecting raining munitions. Of course, that exposed where they were, but Syll and Nyss had done it; the void eclipsed the enemy, and drew deep, cutting them off. The Umbarans strode between trees, confident now in their success and no longer requiring subterfuge.

Meanwhile, Rivoche winced against the pain, and whined. "Is anyone coming to help me?"

"Yes we are!" Nyss called out, amused.

Rem chuckled as the Sith came into view, ”Well they do seem to think they know us, this should be fun.” whispered to Rom as though their natural telepathy was Force induced, to possibly throw their foes off a bit. ’Pattern Alpha?’ she thought to him and at a nod she watched as he disappeared into the undergrowth, envious at his ability to blend in for a moment before she quickly raised her rifle to her shoulder, sighted, and loosed a half dozen shots each at the pair, moving in a random pattern as she fired before leaping onto a low hanging branch, then nimbly moving from tree to tree, causing the branches to move as little as possible with her passage.

Rom took up the datapad she’d underhanded to him as she departed. A couple swift commands and bolts from the two remotes she’d sent up began raining down, as they flew in their own randomized pattern, somehow keeping from colliding in midair. He checked on the droids and could see they were still on mission as well.

The faux Rem looked down at Rivoche, ”I think you are in shock, Rivoche, we are already here and need to get you up and out of here before that nasty little Sith that just answered you gets closer.” She moved back to a crouch and trained her weapon opposite that of the faux Rom and waited for Rivoche to move so they could escort her out while the true Rom and Rem dealt with the unwanted guests.

The Umbaran twins caught bolts and deflected them, concentrating on both their Void and defending, and, of course, advancing on the house. As they did, they walked towards each other, intending to meet at the entrance. Slow and steady, slow and steady. They had all the time in the world.

"I've never been shot before." Rivoche grimaced, standing. "Do you have a plan?"

There was a quickI humour. "Does it involve killing Eris?"

The faux Rem gave a quick smile ”Oh yes, plan, good thing to have. Yes, it involves not getting killed by the Sith as we exit away from where they are. And as to Eris, hmmm, at this point I would hazard a guess that Ser B would consider her time in the Society at an end, so yes.”

Putting action to words the faux Rem moved opposite Rivoche from Rom and the droid sensors under the visual display calculated the fastest, safest path out of the building, away from the incoming Sith. Pointing down the hallway, away from the Umbarans she scooped up a blaster from one of the deceased guards as she passed and handed it to Rivoche, sure the woman would feel more comfortable with one in her hands. She was a scion of the Tarkins after all.

Rom had been partially following the conversation between the faux Rem and Rivoche which gave him a thought. He tapped the broadcast channel of one of the remotes that was firing on the Sith. ”Sith, I understand your mission and why you are on it, but a much better target has lost the protections that may have kept her off your sensors. This one would cause even more chaos than a former Speaker. She is the power behind the Quintad, as well. Eris Harro-Harkin. And we will not interrupt your attempts.”

Even as his message went out he and Rem kept up their multi-pronged attack against the Sith, trying to steer them away from any of the directions that Rivoche and the droids would use to escape.

The two Sith looked at each other. "What guarantees do we have that you won't get involved? We might just be letting you have Rivoche, and you'll fight us for Eris anyway," Nyss called out, advancing slowly but surely nonetheless. Syll eyed her twin and he nodded; she began to walk around to the rear of the cottage, though they knew that there was one door in and out, doors could be made.

Rivoche appreciated the weapon in her hand, and she added her own blasts to the fire, not even bothered that using a rifle one handed was a difficult exercise; she simply placed it under her other arm. She even dove back long before Nyss reflected the bolts back. "If you can convince them to go after Eris, I'll give you a lot of shares in my companies to say thank you."

Rom smiled in his blind, using the throat mike to broadcast to the Sith once more, he spoke, ”I cannot guarantee the Eriaduan authorities wouldn’t attempt to stop you but unlike here or at the assault at the Malek estate I can guarantee we will not do so. Eris has violated a covenant and therefore the protection of the organization she was a part of has been withdrawn and therefore our protection as well. And the power we represent keeps their word, with an iron bond, so we do as well. Should you agree to this I propose a ceasefire here as a sign of agreement so that you may move to attack that target and we may retrieve the one who is under our protection.”

He paused the firing cycle of the remotes, to show he meant his word, keeping them on station and watching the Sith, in case they decided against such a proposal. Rem, for her part had drawn close, but kept herself hidden, merely tracking the Sith while they chose.

The faux Rem kept her weapon trained in the direction of the Sith as well, but like the faux Rom and the true ones, had paused in her firing. ”There is a proposal being debated that may get you and us out of here and take care of Eris, Rivoche.” she whispered to the woman.

The Sith seemed to be amused as to this. Nyss and Syll took it as a sign of weakness, especially as it was being couched as a gift to them. In hindsight, they would consider it more seriously after they discovered precisely how difficult a kill the two twins would be, but for now, they merely had a handful of tactical feints and thrusts to discuss -

So the moment Syll and Nyss were directly opposite each other, they released a wave of Force at the building between, with the intent to knock it entirely down.

It may be that the Umbarans would live to regret this... or die doing so.

At a warning from Rom the faux Rom and Rem moved closely to Rivoche and suddenly a double sphere of energy shimmered around them, protecting her from any debris that may collapse upon them. Pointing to the wall at a 90 degree angle from the two Sith the faux Rem spoke up, ”Blow a hole in that, if you please, Rivoche. Those two Sith need a lesson and they’re about to get one.” As she waited, she and the faux Rom covered the Sith. With the renewed aggression, they poured fire at the two.

Rom didn’t even hesitate when he saw the Sith move. A touch of a button warned all the remotes and droids. Two more, appearing slightly heavier than the others crawled through the undergrowth toward with Sith. As the Sith were preoccupied the two remotes were able to get into range without being noticed. Which worked perfectly for Rem as she’d glided through the trees to get into her range as well.

Rom waited for her signal and when it was received the Sith would learn that there was a large difference between an offer made because the deal was worth it and weakness. Which should mean they would get to take out Eris as well, which made a teeth baring smile appear on his face. He could see Rem was in range of one of the two so he shifted the barrel of his sniper rifle a fraction.

Another smile touched his face as he had two more of those ‘special’ rounds. The tone sounded in his ear and the barrel coughed as the rounds launched. He shifted to his secondary hide, firing several standard blaster shots, and repeated for a third and fourth hide, before ensconcing himself in some thick foliage and waited for the special rounds to unleash their payloads.

The two fat remotes sensed the release of the special rounds and knew it was their signal. Bursting out of the undergrowth both raced toward the two Sith. As soon as their range sensors reach a mid lethal level they detonated, hurling shrapnel at the Sith. The flying remotes continued their evasive patterns while firing off shots on the move, at both Sith.

Rem heard the cacophony begin and smiled. And then one Umbaran got to see how fast Nagai were. One second there was a slight noise, as she launched from the tree she’d been in. A slight hiss as her cortosis weave sword slipped from its sheath and then she rolled past the blade dripping blood. Coming to her feet she swung around, free hand holding her blaster, firing as the barrel tracked toward Syll’s form. A short laugh, ”Hope you can hop on one leg. Should have taken the deal.” could be barely heard over the sound of the blaster and the sheer pain Syll had to be feeling as her right leg came free of her body just below the hip.

Syll had already drawn her vibroblade even as she lashed out her lightsaber through the cortosis; her preferred weapon in either instance. She had sunk it into Rem's solar plexus even as her leg fell away, a scream echoing out, and she let the blade go as she fell backwards.

Hit by the sudden pain, Nyss charged, dropping the Void and splaying his fingers to create an outwards push around his position as he touched the Force to speed towards the fallen house - he threw his lightsaber at Rivoche, before leaping up and over, gesturing with the Force to draw his sister to him and his chest.

"Deal!" Nyss screamed out at them.

Rom seemed to appear out of nowhere, his sniper rifle slung across his back, a blaster in one hand, pointed down but a fraction of a touch would bring it up toward Nyss where he cradled his sister. He crouched next to Rem, writhing on the ground from the vibroblade through her guts, ’Lay still Rem, I’m here.’ he sent as he reached into his pack and brought out a canister containing a similar foaming gel to what the faux Rem had used on Rivoche. Pressing it to the wound triggered the contents inside, filling the gaps, preventing bleeding and more tearing of her muscles until they could get her to a Bacta tank.

His eyes barely moved from the two Sith as he quickly assisted Rem. ”The deal is made then. We will not oppose you in your hunt for Eris. As a matter of fact, when you do reach her let her know the Society has removed her from their ranks and their Father allowed your hunt of her. We will depart with Rivoche.”

Before Rivoche could blast the hole in the wall that the faux Rem had requested, the saber from one of the Sith came flying toward her. Faux Rem shouted, ”Down!!!” she yelled, pressing with two of the spider droid legs against Rivoche, pressing her down out of the path of the flying saber. The danger passed and she let Rivoche rise. A command came through and the two faux Nagai led Rivoche out of the building opposite where the Umbarans and the real Rom and Rem were located.

*Package secured* was sent to the datapad.

Romulus assisted Remus to her feet. ”Take out Eris, then I recommend you depart, the Eriaduan Defense Force will be on high alert from now on, I’d suspect.” he said just before they disappeared around the building and joined Rivoche just as the droids dropped their facade and revealed to her their true forms.

Nyss hissed. "Fine. But we will cross paths again." There was a boom in the distance, and another death registered into the Force. "Ah, our colleague is now a former colleague. At least there will be no evidence that he lived." A grin spread across his visage, and Nyss vanished into the surviving undergrowth with his sister, using the Force to keep her sustained.

Rivoche winced. "Take me to the Malek's; I need to right what has been wronged before all Eriadu is consumed."

Rom chuckled at the Sith’s threat, sure that Father would send them against those Sith again. Or, at least, one of their compatriots. He reached into Rem’s pack and retrieved a quick heal patch, to stitch her up slightly so they could move. The patch in place, he turned back turned back to Rivoche, ”Rivoche, it may perhaps be better to verify if Ethan Malek is at his city residence before the Estate as we came from there and they were under attack.”

He tapped several commands on the datapad, calling back the surviving remotes and drones as well as calling their personal aircar, a heavily modified one. The Sith had said they took the deal but he had very little trust in any being save their Father. As they waited, he tapped out a quick message to their Father.

*Father,

Rivoche has been recovered and per what we interpreted as your wishes Eirs has been set before the Sith as a target. She has been excommunicated from the Society for her actions and will no longer be trouble for any being shortly.

R&R*

The aircar pulled up and Rom assisted Rem into a seat, setting the defense controls before her. He settled the packs in the back and then opened another door so that Rivoche could enter and take her seat before leaping into the driver’s seat tying the IFF in to the EDF network and sending a signal to the officer that handled their contract, notifying them they were now on diplomatic protection. He hit the autopilot and the aircar departed the site of the attack.

TAG: @Sinrebirth, @adaml83, @Adalia-Durron, anyone else on Eriadu

 

IC: Adalia Tehanis, Adam Lyons, Briana Odan, Admiral Babo (thanks to @adaml83 and @Sinrebirth )
On Board 'The Ranger' getting ordered about - its time for Operation Shave the Bothan!!!


Briana was paying attention to communications, so when a report with the origins of Eriadu came through she opened it. Apparently there had been a battle and that the kid Trec had managed to drop a heavy hammer on them. I need to think of a callsign for him.

Looking through the files included all sorts of combat data that Briana recognized as gun cam footage, along with some other tactical information. She sent a brief message to Adam’s comm and started pinging it. He’s going to like this. She then sent a quick message to Tawg to look at the files. Stealth is certainly going to create a scenario from this...he’s a dork like that.

Leaving the small room Adalia mentally pushed aside the tiredness that was creeping in. She'd noticed it more of late and she felt like her Force abilities were suffering as well. That could have been the residual effects of Jacen's 'chat', she didn't know for sure. Forcing a smile as they approached she addressed the Bothan. "Admiral Babo, thank you for granting us time to get up to speed with each other." She glanced at Adam awaiting his half expecting a 'smart-mouthed' comment.

"You are quite welcome, Colonel Tehanis." He eyed the woman. "Are your comrades joining us? Or have you decided on a course of action and how best to hit the Third Fleet?"

Babo folded his arms. "The GA are already launching their counteroffensive. Unless you want to head back to Kuat of course and help fight the Confederate retreat... after all you fought the GA retreat with their last ship delivery." There was a slight tone of annoyance. "Makes me wish you'd left Rogue Wing a few days before. Though I hear you put Aden in the Medbay, so maybe I should complain less, just-in-case..."

Adalia smiled, this time it was genuine. "Takes a lot to make that happen Admiral, you're safe, for now, and for the record, I am no longer a Colonel. Ms Tehanis is fine." She turned to Adam, this was his department. "I will allow Adam to answer your question."

My blasted comm keeps going off. Irritatedly Adam brought it out, he had two messages. One the usual poke from HQ, the other from the captain of the Ranger. There was news from Eriadu, he recognized one of the files as the sort of data that Corradhin fighters tend to create, and sent them to the holo table in the room.

Adam had overheard some conversation and belatedly realized that he had been mentioned. “Sorry, a couple of different things distracted me. The first question though, Admiral, have you heard anything from Eriadu? The second question is, what do you think two older, but well-maintained escort carriers and maybe a total of six squadrons can do against a fleet?”

He then hit the button for the holo-table that brought up information of the battle, “Might as well bring everyone in so they can at least look at this.”

Adalia had wondered that they were limited in their membership and abilities, what made this Bothan think they could take on a fleet of any kind? She kept her thoughts to herself as she listened, knowing it would mean little as she had no intentions of going into battle personally.

Adam quickly sent a message to Briana to bring the rest of the group into the briefing room.

Briana grabbed her comm, whistled loudly to those in the hanger, “Hey guys, Stealth wants us in the briefing room.”

Adam nodded towards Babo, “Now it seems there’s something they needed, though it looks like they also want the Perator to enter more squadrons into the fight.” He looked directly at Babo, “That might help more than anything we do. Also, they’re requesting...the Elite Defenders? They got those?” He waved away the question, “Either way a recommendation from you would go a long way to their further deployment.”

Listening, Adalia was always amazed at the ease at which Adam spoke of ships, deployment and strategies. She’d never been that clever and had said to him more than once. ‘Point me at what you want to be shot’, she meant it more times than not.

Babo bared his fangs in a smile. "I don't expect you to engage five Star Destroyers, a hundred lesser capital ships and thousands of starfighters alone, Lyons."

"If Commenor is the target, we can't stop them, and the GA only has a slight numerical advantage." Babo eyed Tehanis. "Masters Durron, Horn and otherwise lead a StealthX run which reduced the Commenori fleet to tatters when Solo took advantage and drove the Fourth Fleet through their broken formation."

He folded his arms. "So Aden will only have a moderate portion of the Third Fleet to defend himself. I'm sure the assets you describe can deal with it. Your successes at Eriadu are heartwarming, but fending off small GA raids won't help me turn around the GA offensive. Captain Shula is stopped, congratulations; next Aden, or Tahiri? Jacen?"

"I'd like to point your wing at Aden Kya and let you take him and your former colleagues out; once and for all."

Adam gave Adalia a wicked grin before addressing Babo, “You’re assuming I want to fight fair. That’s dangerous. I have a proposal instead, first you detach these two ships from your immediate command for independent assignments. They could vary from hit and hype raids, to surprise attacks on isolated ships and any other destructive ideas that we might have. Besides, fair fights are for suckers.”

“Second, these two ships are too small for what you normally command, and whatever task force that would properly suit you would be better at taking on Aden’s fleet though…” Adam trailed off as he watched the two Adumari K-wing pilot pull off a weave on their attack on the Furious, he smirked, “If you can find a wing leader that is at least up to Trec’s skill, he’s good, but he’s young, it will give you something of an advantage.”

“Third, if and when the Jedi join in, their objective will be to end the war as soon as possible, nothing you’ve planned. Quite frankly I think that’s a wonderful goal though,” he paused as Briana entered, “Unless HQ here is hiding a massive secret, none of us are fully trained Jedi, so that means, and I suspect Adalia might agree with this tactic, we drive Aden insane trying to deal with us, that is unless we’re needed for a more important assignment elsewhere.”

“Fourth, I learned a lesson 13 years ago, sometimes you need to fight hard, and sometimes you need to fight soft. Maybe we should fight soft at least for a short time now as things get organized. That doesn’t mean we won’t strike decisively, but it also means we refuse to throw away people on bad ideas.”

Babo scowled. "The GA are not fighting soft and you don't have the assets to raid Mon Calamari or Coruscant, which is where most of their shipyard capacity is now anyway, save for the munitions they are purchasing from the neutral Roche hives... who are allied with Fett. I don't want the Confederation to get side-tracked with the Mandalorians. We've already put Sluis Van and Gyndine out of commission, which doesn't leave many targets."

He was reluctant to be dictated to by Lyons. "You have six hours to put together a plan for me that involves targeting the GA's military command structure. We're outgunned and outnumbered at the moment and we can't abandon the homeworlds of members; if we do, the Confederation will fly apart. We have to fight hard and defend every world the GA targets... you're welcome to provide suggestions, but it's on you, Ms Tehanis and the others to do so."

The Bothan needed more yes, Sir and less we could do it this way, sir, but he needed these assets to keep the GA off-balance. As much as he'd like to let them do whatever they saw fit, that was an easy way to waste his limited resources and Phennir would be breathing down his neck soon enough.

He stood from his seat, brushing down his uniform. "I'll let you figure it out, but we need results, or all those new starfighters will have to be recalled to the frontline. We can afford to lose our Core gains - Kuat, but not much else. - you have until we lose Kuat to fight soft, basically. Keeping in mind that yesterday, we had almost won this war, morale is going to take this hit, and the war will turn fast."

Babo shrugged, and left the meeting. It wasn't that he was unhappy; he had a lot to do and the Confederation didn't have the territory to lose to fight soft.

Adalia watched the Bothan go before scowling and folding her arms, she'd sensed his frustration at their approach. "Doesn't he know we're not military anymore and not under his command? He can't be ordering us around." She said in a cool tone. "He's heading the way of the Medbay at this rate."




TAG @Sinrebirth @Anedon @adaml83

 

IC: Aden Kya
Later, aboard the Mawrunner, now docked with the Ession Strike, Coruscant orbit

There wasn't much else to add, in the grand scheme of things, so Aden called the group to order. Whatever they were up to had to come to an end, because they had a mission to fulfil. "All Wraith and Dancer Squadron pilots to the ready room, stat."

That broke apart whatever Natalia and Tracy were up to, and interrupted the fun of the Syal, Rhoen and Tiom. They had came to an accord of sorts, an agreement, an honesty.

Otherwise, Vua was already there and Aden had a briefing. He began it when enough of the lesser characters, including Zueb, had gathered. "Now I have command of a Third Fleet battlegroup, we have been tasked with preventing Commenor from assisting Corellia or defending Kuat. Colonel Solo will be advancing with the Second and Fifth Fleet remnants respectively, while we cover the Colonies. The rest of the Third, Fourth and Eighth Fleets will hold at Coruscant with the Bounty until the Megador is repaired."

He tapped away, showing the galactic map. "Eriadu joined the Confederation yesterday as they were so close to Coruscant, and I sent Captain Shula and the Glorious to engage them, but Adumari ships just intervened and blew up our cruiser, so it's not available to assist. What we do have is this."

A Corellian corvette appeared on-screen. It was clearly modified, with an odd-shaped prow.

"It started life as a standard CR90, but it was made into a pocket carrier by Warlord Zsinj, as the Night Caller. Pirated by Wraith Squadron and used to kill one of the warlords Admirals, it was rechristened the Ession Strike, though recently the GAG modified it further. It can carry a full squadron of X-wings and two TIE fighters - the former in the cargo bay, and the latter in the place of its escape pods, so we should be able to put what we have of Wraith and Dancer Squadrons inside with some effort." Detail was added to the ship as he spoke.



"I will be in command of the corvette as the Third Fleet advances on Commenor to occupy our defences. The extra modifications, and our target, are both classified - I and Commander Vua will know, but that is it." Vua stood straighter at that, breaking his reverie. Probably thinking about Tracy again, he sighed inwardly.

"Any questions? This will be a simple escort mission for us, so I don't expect it to be anything untoward - we may face some resistance leaving the system, so make sure you keep an eye on your fuel as you may have to jump out."

Their datapads received the mission profile, and a breakdown of the Commenori fleet. There were notes that the fleet had been decimated by Colonel Solo and the Fourth Fleet at the Battle of Balmorra last month, and confirmation that Empire-era Star Destroyers, Carrack-class light cruisers, K-wings and TIE models were what was expected in-system. There was an addendum about the raid in the Commenor system that elements of their squadron had launched last week now, targeting key Confederate operatives.

Aden paused to give them a chance to absorb the notes. "Oh, and we have one new X-wing fresh from Incom. All other fighters are being repaired by scrapping damaged ships. We have no torpoedoes for this trip; all ordnance has yet to be replaced."

He said that for Tracy's purposes; she had a fighter, at very least.

TAG: @galactic-vagabond422 (2), @I_am_Kooky (interruption TAG) - post whatever point your combos are at, so we can move on this week(!)
---
IC: Darth Wyyrlok
Leaving Serenno

That was that. Morto was in the bacta tank aboard his ship, and Wyyrlok quietly seethed about that much. He opened a secure communique to the One Sith, and White Eyes responded. "Report," the man spat.

Wyyrlok bristled. "There was another party interested; a Force user working for the Society."

"Bernael," snarled the cowled men. "And so?"

"The Holocron possessed Count Dooku and awakened his Force legacy," Wyyrlok said, knowing White Eyes would know more about Darth Tyranus than he. "I allowed Bernael to face the puppet, but he had allies, and therefore I left without the Holocron rather than risk further discovery. Bernael and his allies' were wounded, their ships damaged. The Serenno defences will finish them off."

"And if not," rasped White Eyes.

"If not, I shall send operatives after the Holocron."

"You have failed me, Darth Wyyrlok... as have your operatives sent to intervene in the Confederate business on Eriadu."

Wyyrlok felt no tingle of danger, nor a crushing vise on his throat. "However?"

"However the Hapans have withdrawn from the war, forcing the Confederation on the defensive; Solo is leading a new offensive while he has the chance... the Confederation are preparing a series of attacks on him, Insipid and Veila."

Within a day, the entire war had changed. "Do we intend to assist?"

"No," White Eyes said. "Dician is investigating a rumour that Lumiya's Force Phantom technique has resurfaced, and so I will need to lead our assembly once more." He sounded tired of such things.

"And Lord Krayt?"

"He continues to sleep, and parse the future. You will return to his side, for now..."

"... did none of our Eriadu team succeed, or survive?"

"At least one is dead; bombed to death by allies of Colonel Tehanis, at the direction of Adam Lyons."

Wyyrlok paused. "It may be appropriate to kill them both, my Lord."

"Perhaps. But perhaps they merely need a reminder on their true enemy... Insipid has a plan... I have directed our agents to block knowledge of it from reaching Lyons or Antilles. Not even the Bothans and Mandalorians will discover the truth - nor Solo and Niathal."

"Is his plan truly that horrendous?"

A sneer.

"Yes, it is."

---
Serenno, in orbit

Shortly after the communique cut, Wyyrlok's ship vanished into hyperspace, leaving Ebony to claw for safety. Renn was wounded, as was Bernael, so for the moment they would be relegated to lesser positions of gunner or engines. Ebony, the hunter, had her work cut out for her - droid gunships hammering at them, and when they broke orbit, and elderly Banking Clan frigate, all eight hundred metres of droid majesty, pushing from a position by the Serenno capital to capture them.

The Lords of Serenno had secured as much as of the old Separatist fleet as possible, and at one point controlled the largest private navy the galaxy ever had - until the Battle of Celanon and the New Republic smashed it. Only the timely arrival of Admiral Pellaeon and the Super Star Destroyer Reaper had routed the New Republic - and destroyed the Reaper. The battle at Celanon ushered in nearly three years of peace between the two sides - a cold war which exploded into violence after the Yevethan Black Fleet upset the delicate balance.

Over two decades ago now, and perhaps ancient history to Ebony, but context for the Separatist designed ships.

In the far distance a very old droid battleship held position above the capital, and a line opened to them; their ship was so damaged no stealth countermeasure would work. "Fleeing ship; heave to, and power down. We have orders to kill you from the Counts of Serenno, to hold you accountable for the death of Count Bron Dooku. We understand you have in your possession personal property of the Count also."

The holocron, dutifully, sniggered.

Where shall you go? Where shall you hide? Will your ship survive the trip? Die here, or die there? What does it matter?

Meanwhile, Ebony's comlink chimed for attention.

It was a GA line again; probably Kya.

TAG: @darthbernael, @Adalia-Durron
---
IC: Droma
Eriadu

With the orbital battle over, and Irek very, very, very dead, the combined teams had a moment to regroup.

The politicians of the planet - the Quintad - congratulated the Malek family at their survival from the treacherous assassination attempt, and thanks were given to the Adumari reinforcements that had stopped the Glorious doing what it had to Taris here - and also for rebuffing the pirate raiders.

Of course, there were whispers that Eriadu could have routed those pirates without help had their fleet not been heading to the Confederate frontline, but it was what it was. The crews of the Eriaduan gunboat and the arriving fighters were given a joint port - an orbiting station, an old XQ1 model. It had space for ships to dock, and a meeting area and various rooms and bunks.



https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/XQ1_Platform

It didn't have a name, so the crews, be it Trec's or Ilona's and so forth, could christen it if they wished, but it also allowed the Quintad to keep everyone in one place and ideally out of their politics for now.

Especially as, by the next day, Eris Harro was reported dead, at the hands of mysterious assassins... and a hospital not far from the cottage that Rivoche had been kept was raided for supplies and prosthetics. Rivoche would be looking for Ethan, and the Quintad, or, rather, Quaddrad, now, didn't stand in her way. Rem and Rom were merely additional factors.

Joining the Confederation had been quite destabilising for Eriadu, but they intended to stay the course now the Confederation had stepped in to assist them. Welmo, for his part, steered clear of interacting with anyone, even when they were directed to the platform. He had no desire to see his ex, notwithstanding that he was ostensibly here for her.

For his part, Droma simply set himself up in one of the side lounges and waited for someone to find him. There wasn't much point hiding himself; he was a Ryn - he stood out.

TAG: @Adalia-Durron, @Anedon, @darthbernael, @adaml83 (setting update)

@Adalia-Durron, @adaml83, @Corellian_Outrider, @The Real Kyp Durron, @WarmNyota_SweetAyesha (continue your combos as discussed)

 

OOC: Fun with @Sinrebirth and @Adalia-Durron

IC Bernael, Renn, Ebony
Escaping Serenno

Bernael was weary, feeling the desire to fall into the healing sleep only kept at bay by the snack he had taken of the Togorian. He felt a new presence enter his ship as they departed and his annoyance at what had recently occurred continued to stew. He sat up as Renn brought the, hmmm, woman into the main lounge. He could also see the injuries to Renn and that annoyed him as well, as it could only mean that his Fury was even more damaged.

Hearing the warnings being broadcast over the intercom by the pilot AI he bared his teeth behind his mask. The holocron only increased his annoyance. To it ’Halfdead Sith, you had better pray that we manage to escape. I know where your body lays and know that if your holocron disappears, because I cause it to be vaporized, you will never be whole again.’

His eyes tracked over to the woman, looking her over. A snort, ”So which of the many people that would love to see me brought to them in chains has sent you, Bounty Hunter?” And at that moment her comlink chimed. Another chuckling snort, ”Hmmm, I’d be willing to bet a stack of credits that is them now.”

Renn had wandered in behind Ebony and could hear the weariness in Bernael’s voice, telling him the vampire was close to needing time to heal, which never improved his mood. ”She did help us escape, and almost lost her ship, in the process, you grumpy old vampire!”

He grinned broadly at the chime of the comlink and Bernael’s response, ”Might as well answer that here as his ship will capture it anyway and he’d review it later and be more grumpy when he finds out, not from the source, who it was. And I’ll think up some sort of a response to the Serenno forces.” He headed toward the flight deck and waited at the hatch to see what Ebony would do.

Indeed, the message continued to bleat, and the star frigate continue to approach. The old Banking Clan ship had a prow-cannon, and sensors automatically and politely told them how long they had until it was in range.

Ebony had said nothing, she had though been observing. She scanned the room they were in, the occupants and anything that could be considered a weapon or a position of danger. Listening to the exchange she did not react at all, that would not do well for them to see her react too anything. Renn grinned and urged her to take the call, she swallowed hard before she retrieved the comlink and responded. "Ebony Leon" She clipped sharply not sure as to who it was.

"You have proven very difficult to contact," came a particularly oily sounding voice. "Colonel Kya gave you instructions," he continued. "... and instead the GAG report that the Count of Serenno is dead... do I have to add you to the 'Detain or Kill' lists, bounty hunter?"

Ebony of course was arguably more busy with the 'not dying' part of the mission, with the other two injured as they were, she would have care of more than not.

Benael had shifted somewhat to be out of the pickup range of the comlink, hiding a wince or two at the injuries still affecting him. When the voice mentioned who had hired this Ebony Leon he smiled behind his mask, ’Ahhh someone is annoyed I messed with his precious cruisers.’ he thought.

Renn recognised the name, from the story Bernael had told about when he’d first run into the GA when he had returned. But, as he leaned against the frame for the hatch, the bandages beginning to become irritable, he waited to feel and hear how the bounty hunter responded, this Ebony.

"Who is this?" She asked coldly, she knew what she was doing but did not know who she was speaking too.

"You can call me Chief of State Solo," the man replied. "I am keeping an eye on Colonel Kya's initiatives and I am interested in the Shadowman who enabled Adalia to escape so cleanly. Now I need to use bait and hunters like you to find her." Disgust crept into his voice. "So what can you tell me before I mark you as a wanted woman for what little is left of your life?"

Renn decided that discretion was the better part of, well, whatever the frack it was and headed onto the flight deck to continue his task.

Bernael snorted, raising his voice so that even though he was out of sight of the pickup his voice would be heard. A flat, level tone betrayed no flavor of emotion as he spoke, ”Shadowman, so that is what this generation has decided to call me. You may forgive your pet bounty hunter, but sending a vanilla human, no matter how skilled, after me just causes me to decide to see who is behind them.”

Ebony listened as the 'creature' spoke behind her, she'd already made her choice. "I will not call you that, and I no longer am working for your pet, Kya." Her tone cold and even, despite the turmoil now erupting inside. "I can tell you a good deal, I will not. You may add me to your 'hit list' and from what I understand, it's a long list." She drew a calming breath, "I have weighed up my chances of survival and right now I believe this is the best course of action for me. Credits will be returned." She didn't expect this to go down well.

Renn, in the cockpit, spoke to the approaching Serenno ships, ”I know the Count Dooku is dead but neither myself or my compatriot were responsible, and the fact that you believe we have something belonging to the late Count, who we attempted to defend, tells me that those who were truly responsible has fed you a web of lies, that you bought.” As he spoke he worked with the pilot AI to keep the Fury out of tractor range of any of the ships around them, as the computations for a hyper jump worked themselves out in the computer.

Bernael nodded, in a fencer’s salute to Ebony, recognizing her remark. ”I did not say that was my name, Ebony, was it? But some among every generation come up with a name, almost a title for me, and that is not the first I’ve heard that name used in recent days.”

Jacen Solo sneered. “It is a long list; but I have a very long reach. I hope you don’t have assets inside the Galactic Alliance; Ebony - I just froze your assets if you do, and your warrant is about to go live across the HoloNet.”

“Shadowman; intervene in my plans again and I shall kill you outright. Kya may be interested in you but I’m not. I promise that on my parents lives, short though they may be.”

He was still ranting, which of course would give them cause to wonder why. But they had reached the edge of Serenno’s gravity well, so they could jump, with three minutes to spare before that prow cannon shot at them.

The connection broke as he was threatening her and Ebony sighed. "The man's a lunatic." She muttered before turning around. She was forever grateful she had access to assets no one knew about, no one knew how to access. Her fate was sealed and now all she had to do was stay alive till someone stronger than her took that lunatic down.

Renn was still stalling the Serenno fleet when the pilot chirped and he knew the hyperdrive was ready. ”Hit it!” he called to the pilot and flopped into a command chair the vampire had made for him. As his butt hit the seat he toggled the intercom, ”Hold onto your butts, we’re jumping, and not a minute too soon.”

Bernael snorted once more as Jacen continued to rant and as Renn jumped the call dropped when they entered hyper. He turned his gaze toward the woman, ”He is, and his time will come. Renn says you assisted our departure so the effort is appreciated. As is making it so I do not need to dispose of you immediately, with your choice.”

As the ship finished the initial jump and settled into hyper, Renn came out, just in time to hear Bernael’s last statement, ”No eating the guests, vampire, don’t make me remind you of your code again. I just hope this guest is better than the last.”

Ebony gave a single nod. "Appreciate it." She'd just burnt her bridges and there was no going back.

Bernael lifted himself from the lounge seat, grunted slightly, ”Renn, since you adopted the human you get to take care of her, I need a nap.” He disappeared into his cabin, secured the holocron in a safe only he could access, and dropped to the bed, falling into the healing sleep he needed to recover.

Renn turned to Ebony, looked her over, ”As I said, welcome aboard. But a couple things. First, what made you insane enough to take on a contract for a Force user over 2500 years old? And second, I do think you made an impression on the vampire, so what are you going to do for an encore to make sure you stay on this side of the friend/cattle divide?”

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @Adalia-Durron

 

IC Ebony, Renn. (mega big thanks for @darthbernael )
On board The Fury (on the road again..........)


”As I said, welcome aboard. But a couple things. First, what made you insane enough to take on a contract for a Force user over 2500 years old? And second, I do think you made an impression on the vampire, so what are you going to do for an encore to make sure you stay on this side of the friend/cattle divide?”

Ebony considered his words. "First, credits were a little tight, and maybe I didn't do my due diligence." She gave her head a slight shake. "As for an encore, I'm open to suggestions." She sighed deeply as she'd prided herself on control in her life, currently she had none.

Renn grinned, "To be honest, very few beings outside the few he has as friends know much at all about the Vampire. Which tells me you were set on him more as a warning than that you were really going to capture him." He held up a hand to forestall any outburst, "That is not to discount your skills but there are very few in the galaxy that can take him."

He studied her further, both what little Force aura clung to her and his memory of her actions. "If credits were tight then Solo's actions aren't going to help that. I won't insult you by offering to cover expenses, as I'm sure you wish to show as equal a footing as possible."

Rubbing his face, he thought, "As to the encore, that's a good question. What do you know of Anzati?"

"I have.........a back up plan." She admitted cautiously. "What I know now is more than I knew a few hours ago." she added.

Renn's smile broadened, "Excellent, a backup plan is a very good thing to have." His eyes twinkled for a moment, "As to Anzati, let me think, hmmmm. Well I call him vampire and for good reason, he doesn't eat like you do. His food is people, their minds and souls. Fast, strong, smart, and heals from almost any wound. By the time he wakes, he'll be back to full strength."

He chuckled, "You've managed to fall in with some of the myths of the galaxy, an Anzati, mind reader, and a Neti, yours truly, who can read your emotions." The last was accompanied by an overly flourished bow.

She watched the creature bend into a bow and figured it was an attempt at being regal. She inclined her head in response. "I'll have to control my emotions, then won't I?" She started to look past him. "Where are we heading?"

Renn laughed, "If you think the chaos we faced on Serenno was bad, that is just a fraction of the chaos that tends to come up with the vampire's work, or two Sith wouldn't have been so interested in you capturing him. And right now, we're headed away, more important than the where to. But as to where it's a minor Inner Rim world, sparsely populated, while the vampire sleeps, when he wakes, he will share what he believes is the next stop."

She gave a slow nod. "Understood. What can I do to help?" she asked, "Not about to stand here for however long that takes."

Renn nodded in return, 'Smart woman' he thought. "There will be a cabin for you, neither of us would force you to remain in the main area, especially when you need to rest. But right now, I need to see what repairs can be done, inside, since we cannot survey the outer damage while in hyper so if you want to help, in the secondary cargo bay may be some mechanics gear you can change into. Don't try the locked bay, he's a little particular about that one."

"Noted. Show me the damage and give me a hydro. I know my way around an engine." She stated confidently.

Renn grinned, "Ok then, follow me." He turned and headed down the corridor to the engine room. Once inside, he turned to her, pointing at various spots that had a charred look to them. "Luckily the damage did not include the hyperdrive but some of the overload from shots did burn out some normal control runs and some of those do affect manoeuvring thrusters and main thrusters."

He pointed at a different section of the engine room, "I've got these, they're in a little more difficult to get area and I can fit in there better, helps to be a shapeshifter."

Ebony knew of Shapeshifters and gave a simple nod before following Renn. She had questions but they would wait.


TAG @Sinrebirth

 

IC Mirax Terrik-Horn, Adalia Tehanis
Hawkbat - on Board Pulsar Skate. Special thanks to @Corellian_Outrider



"Mirax....I really don't think whatever you're doing is necessary." Adalia protested as she was dragged into the 'Skate', "I mean, I appreciate the thought....but.."

“I’m listening...” Mirax said softly as she closed the ramp behind them.

Adalia spun to watch the door close. "Wait, what are you up too?" She pulled her arm free. "What's going on?"

“One moment...” Mirax stepped up to the cockpit to double check the systems. Satisfied everything was in order, she turned and placed her hands on either side of the accessway frame. “Adalia Tehanis,” Mirax moistened her lips as she regarded her friend. “We have much to relate but so little time. I get straight to the point: Congratulations on your child! I understand you would have preferred your own means to make the announcement though I fear there has been rumours of that development before Kyp told us.”

"I don't want it general knowledge, but I'm fine with the Jedi knowing." She shrugged, "What is this 'much' we have to relate? And what are you up too here? Kyp said you're planning a wedding. Like I told him, I don't want a big deal made." She put her hands on her hips. "I'm tired and I'd like to get out of this flightsuit."

Mirax let go of the frame and stepped down to the main hold as she gestured to the Captain’s quarters. “You are more than welcome, just give me a moment more. Kyp believes he is the father and therefore wants to marry you. Yet he has no idea as to how. So, I’ll put this question to you... Do you want to marry him?”

Adalia watched her, listened to her and gave her head a shake in disbelief. "He 'Believes' he is the father? Are you serious? Of course, he's the kriffin father!!" She was incensed. "I don't get around you know!" She couldn't believe these questions as she followed Mirax. "And I asked him, what do you think? Of course I do!!" She was too tired for this.

Mirax grinned at what Adalia related and had to laugh. “What to do with him...” She shook her head as she led Addie to the cabin. “You do realise he was going to half arse this. We’re here to help and he’s been... it’s been like giving a Nexu a bath. An unruly kitty, but he does look presentable now.” Mirax explained as she grabbed fresh towels and cloth and handed them to Addie. “Here! You go freshen up...” she jerked her head to the refresher, “....and I’ll get your wedding attire set out for you... or would you like to see it first?”

She took the towels and scowled. "He's like that because he knows me! Half arse would have been fine." She sighed. "You don't get it.....it's just not that important to me. I've never been into fashion or traditions or any other of those things. A quick 'do you, and do you?' would suit me fine. Sure, he looks nice, but ...." She trailed off as she looked at Mirax, the other woman expression steady, even and unwavering. "I'm not going to win this am I?" she sighed dramatically. "Alright, show me what hideous tent you found to cover this!" she indicated her stomach.

“Corran and I...we are doing this out of love.” Mirax’s voice was softly spoken as her eyes locked onto Addie’s. “Just so you know.”

The wardrobe was opened and Mirax carefully pulled out the protective cover containing the gown and laid it on the bed, then expertly removed the gown without crushing the material.

She held it up for Addie to appraise it properly and turned it around. “Thoughts?”

Guilt. She hated being guilted. "Love, ok.....right…..got it." She muttered. Adalia watched silently as Mirax removed the gown and held it up. It shimmered and sparkled; tiny diamantes dotted the top laced section that plunged covering yet hinting at the skin beneath. It was sleeveless and fell into flowing folds below the bust line. Altogether it looked way too fussy and ornate for Adalia, and she struggled to be excited. "It's lovely, really, but it doesn't look…. like me." She tried to explain.

“That’s because the you that suits it is underneath that grime.” Mirax placed it carefully back on the bed. “Wait till you feel like you in your skin and try it on before final judgments. Tea or caff while you soak?”

Adalia didn't believe a word the woman said and scowled as she inspected herself. ‘Grime?’ She was sure she’d had a sanitstream this morning and not done any dirty work since then. "Nothing, water maybe?" She stared at the gown, it was beautiful, it was soft and it looked classy. All the things Adalia had never really been. Swallowing she finally found words. "Ok, I'll bathe and we will give it a try. I am not making any promises though!"

“If not, we can crown Kyp as best dressed and give him the tiara.” Mirax said almost to herself. “I’m sure he’ll get a kick out that and something to tell little Adele in years’ time.”

"Adele?" She questioned, if Mirax was fishing she was wasting her time. This was all starting to feel surreal but she'd resigned herself to her fate now. "I have never worn a tiara, I am no princess, but I'll give it a try." She doubted Kyp would be impressed by wearing it either.

“That’s the spirit!” Mirax gave Addie a half hug about the shoulders. “Go, relax. I’ll get the water.”




TAG @Corellian_Outrider @Sinrebirth

 

IC Loriana, Rooty, Emaline, Jem, Jay, Erbas, Jesse.
Hawkbat Base - Hangar Deck - Let the games begin! Thanks so much to @WarmNyota_SweetAyesha



Emaline was excited. She'd only ever been to an Aunts wedding years ago and she was thrilled to helping with this one. She watched the ships coming in, and wasn't sure what kind they were but they looked new and fancy. She had been charged with telling the team to clean up and get ready because as she understood it, this was going to happen fast. Scanning the pilots she found her target and ran over the craft as a ladder was placed beside and the cockpit opened.

It'd been too long, Jem felt so far out of his comfort zone in this new craft. The HUD confused him slightly and the controls were complex, 'SIM activity was needed without a shadow of a doubt' he thought as he began shutting the craft down. Flying from A to B had been simple enough, but there was so much this craft could do that he needed to learn and first. As his cockpit opened he caught sight of Emaline almost bouncing at the base of the ladder to his ship, he frowned as she was grinning broadly. He was almost 100% sure that it wasn't that he was back, he'd only been gone a few hours. Getting out he handed his helmet to the deck officer and turned to her. "Why are you so happy?"

"Wedding!!!" She cried excitedly. "We're going to have a wedding!! Right here, on the base and really soon!!" She threw her arms around his neck. "It's so romantic!!"

Jem was confused. "A wedding?" He questioned attempting to pull her off his neck. "Who told you that?"

"The Jedi are here, well two of them are. Your sisters wedding! He came back to marry her! Can you believe it? Its so romantic!" she cried passionately.

Jem frowned. "Kyp came back?" He looked around and spotted the Pulsar Skate. "Who's ship is that?"

"Mirax Terrik-Horn." Emaline said with a touch of pride. "She and her husband Master Corran Horn are here too, we've been setting up."

Jem watched as the other members who'd landed approached and he waved his arms to get them all around him.

Loriana came over and smiled at Jem's expression. "What's going on?" She felt a tingle of excitement. It felt like good, happy news, not a disaster.

Erbas move to the far side of the group, avoiding Jay as he was not ready for that confrontation as yet. Rooty led the group, it was instinct for him now. Jay stuck close to her 'new wing' Jesse who had noted the Stealth X in the hangar and already had a bad feeling about it. "So what's going on now?" Rooty asked the clearly hyped up Emaline.

Jem started to speak. "She says that..."

"We're having a Wedding, right here on the base!! You all need to get out of those flight suits and put on your good clothes!!" she attempted to order.

"That." Jem said with raised eyebrows.

Rooty looked around. "The Pulsar Skate, is Horn here?" He asked seriously. Emaline nodded enthusiastically. "And Kyp?" Another vigorous nod.

Jesse felt himself tense up. "Excuse me." he turned and strode away across the deck toward the private quarters. He had still held out hope that her fiance would either change his mind or worse, but it wasn't looking good. He needed space to breathe as he realised he was about to lose this battle.

Jay frowned as he walked away. "What's his problem?" she asked.

"It's complicated." Erbas said watching Jesse go, he'd figured out what was going on pretty early on.

Loriana grinned. How exquisitely romantic!! Complicated? She shrugged inwardly. All these undertones and undercurrents of complexity ... it was a wonder anything ever got done in a pragmatic sense. Yet, apparently, it had so far with this team.

Jay noticed Loriana's expression. "Don't worry, you'll get used to us, we're all complicated on some level."

Loriana chuckled. "Sure makes for ... interesting times, that's for sure." She said after a pause, "Guess I'd better find something suitable for a festive occasion."

"Yes! All of you!!" She was more than a little excited, she stopped and looked at the new woman and moved toward her extending her hand. "I'm Emaline." She glanced behind her at Jem. "Jem's girlfriend." She explained.

"Loriana Starskimmer, very happy to meet you." Loriana clasped her hand. Emaline's happy anticipation was infectious.

Rooty sighed, he didn't believe the timing of this was right but who was he to argue? "Come on you lot, lets go find something clean to put on. Fact is we've been waiting for this to happen for near on ten years now."




TAG @Sinrebirth @The Real Kyp Durron @Corellian_Outrider @adaml83

 

IC Mirrax Terrik-Horn, Adalia Tehanis (huge thanks to @Corellian_Outrider )
On Board the Pulsar Skate - Hawkbat Base. (Let's get this dog and pony show on the road!! )


Having bathed Adalia was reluctantly pulling on the gown Mirax had selected for her. It was soft and actually felt beautiful against her skin. Silently Mirax laced up the gown up as Adalia squirmed and wriggled uncomfortably. Wearing dresses or gowns was never her style and the entire situation felt ridiculous. She’d not washed her hair, it was too thick and would never dry in time for anything so when she felt Mirax brushing and fussing over it, she made non verbal grunting complaints. This was all too much fuss for her and she was starting to get annoyed. When something was pushed into her hair she was about to protest when a fine lace was draped over her shoulders.

“Alright...” Mirax smiled as she adjusted the veil. “I think it is safe for you to see your reflection.”

"Do I want too? I mean this is like putting a dress on a Wookiee" Adalia grumbled.

“Are you saying you’re big and hairy?” Mirax crinkled her nose. “I wished you used the conditioner, let alone wash your hair.”

"I washed it yesterday!" Adalia was annoyed at that comment, "It's clean! And, NO! I am not hairy or big, but I am as uncomfortable as a Wookiee would be!" She was about to pout, something she'd not done since childhood.

“It would have made your hair more manageable to brush. At least you don’t have that helmet hair funky smell to it.” Mirax responded as she stepped away from Addie then murmured to herself. “Something is missing... ah, that’s right!”

She retrieved a box from the wardrobe and opened it to show off the shoes. “I’ll put this on you and then you can appraise your reflection.”

Looking down Adalia could only raise an eyebrow at the delicate looking shoes. "My feet will break them." She declared, "They're used to boots."

“Yeah, well, we all can’t have everything.” Mirax shook her head as she delicately fitted the shoes. “You know what they say; change is as good as a holiday. Now how does that feel?”

"I need a holiday......" She frowned, "Surprisingly comfortable." Adalia confessed as she moved her feet around. She was starting to wonder if she'd been wrong all this time about pretty things as she turned toward the reflector.

Adalia’s breath caught in her throat as she held it. The vision before her was not what she’d imagined, not anything she ever could have dreamed. She moved slightly causing the tiny diamantes to reflect and sparkle. She reached up and touched her head, the delicate tiara was the base for the finest lace veil that cascaded to the floor and spilled around the shimmering gown. The gown fitted firmly over her bust, pushing it upward and the fabric looked almost liquid as it fell covering her ‘bump’ completely. She swallowed hard as she allowed her breath to slip out, her lips quivered. “I look……....beautiful.” she whispered in disbelief.

Mirax smiled at Addie’s reaction to her appearance. “You’ve always have."

"No.....no...." She turned to look at Mirax. "I was always the stand out, the strange looking one.....never the beautiful one." She turned back to the reflector. "Never.....all through my childhood, the odd one." her voice was trailing off, “not on Akrian anyway.”

“What’s so strange about you?” Mirax shook her head. “You are beautiful and they don’t know what they were talking about. Feeling good? Feeling happy?”

Adalia knew that her complexion back home made her the odd one out but chose to keep that to herself. "Feeling excited, and a little nervous." She confessed. "Never thought I'd do this," she looked at herself again, "or could look like this." Spinning to face. Mirax she asked. "Do you think he'll like it? I mean neither of us are fussy people, will he think it's over the top?" It now worried her that Kyp would laugh at her, that'd be a terrible start.

“I think his jaw will drop.” Mirax assured her then smirked. “If he does laugh, then it is either nerves or he is an idiot. Then you cut him down to size.”

Adalia laughed lightly, she knew it was common knowledge that she was probably the only person in this galaxy who do that and get away with it. "Will do." She smiled, "So what now? Doesn't someone have witness this for me and give me away?" She frowned as an idea hit her. “Jem’s my brother! Well my half-brother……. he can give me away, can’t he?” She asked hopefully as another thought occurred to her.

“I’m sure he can, he is family. I’ll chime Corran and check how the preparations are and then I’ll change into my gown.” Mirax flashed a grin. “I am your Matron of Honour after all.”

Adalia grinned, “I hadn't asked, but I was about to." Instinctively she stepped forward and embraced the older woman. "Thank you, I can't thank you enough for this."

“My pleasure.” Mirax was careful not to crumple the materials as she returned the embrace.

Adalia watched her go before turning back to the reflector, she was really going to do this. She'd fought this for 9 years now and said no to him three times but now she was really doing this, her baby squirmed giving her cause to smile as she lay her protective hand on him. "It's ok, it's all going to be ok."





TAG @Sinrebirth @adaml83 @The Real Kyp Durron

 

IC Jem Vercetti, Adalia Tehanis
On Board Pulsar Skate - Hawkbat base.



Jem had been called to the Pulsar Skate, and he didn’t know why. Assuring Emaline he’d be back soon he climbed the ramp and called out “Addie? You needed me?”

Adalia knew Mirax was still getting ready and turned to the sound of Jem’s voice. They’d spoken a lot in the past years, but she’d not seen him in over a year when he turned up here. Drawing a deep breath, she turned the left the room she was in to walk out to greet him. “I did Jem, I need a favour.”

Hearing someone approaching he turned to face them just as she spoke. Jem sucked his breath in sharply, holding it for a few moments as he gazed upon his older half-sister. Letting the air go slowly, he spoke. “You look………..amazing.” he said quietly as he took in the image before him.

Adalia smiled. “Never thought I’d wear anything like this, let alone like it.” She looked down at herself. “I feel……..pretty.” she said quietly, “Can’t recall ever feeling that before.”

“Not just pretty Sis……You’re…..now it’s way more than that.” He said quietly as he approached her. “What’s the favour? Name it.” He smiled warmly.

“Would you give me away?” she asked hopefully.

Jem was stunned for a few seconds before grinning and embracing her. “I would love to Addie!!” he said releasing her and checking he’d not creased her up too much. “In place of our father? I would be honoured.”

“I hoped you’d say that.” She smiled as she glanced behind her. “Mirax is my witness, old fashioned Matron of Honour apparently. She should be ready soon. We’re running out of time for this, we need to get this show on the road.”



TAG @adaml83 @Corellian_Outrider @The Real Kyp Durron @WarmNyota_SweetAyesha

 

IC: Aden Kya
Later, aboard the Mawrunner, now docked with the Ession Strike, Coruscant orbit

There wasn't much else to add, in the grand scheme of things, so Aden called the group to order. Whatever they were up to had to come to an end, because they had a mission to fulfil. "All Wraith and Dancer Squadron pilots to the ready room, stat."

That broke apart whatever Natalia and Tracy were up to, and interrupted the fun of the Syal, Rhoen and Tiom. They had came to an accord of sorts, an agreement, an honesty.

Otherwise, Vua was already there and Aden had a briefing. He began it when enough of the lesser characters, including Zueb, had gathered, and noticed that Syal had stood beside Rhoen and reached for his hand as he began to talk.

Aden simply blinked, and pressed on.

"Now I have command of a Third Fleet battlegroup, we have been tasked with preventing Commenor from assisting Corellia or defending Kuat. Colonel Solo will be advancing with the Second and Fifth Fleet remnants respectively, while we cover the Colonies. The rest of the Third, Fourth and Eighth Fleets will hold at Coruscant with the Bounty until the Megador is repaired."

He tapped away, showing the galactic map. "Eriadu joined the Confederation yesterday as they were so close to Coruscant, and I sent Captain Shula and the Glorious to engage them, but Adumari ships just intervened and blew up our cruiser, so it's not available to assist. What we do have is this."

A Corellian corvette appeared on-screen. It was clearly modified, with an odd-shaped prow.

"It started life as a standard CR90, but it was made into a pocket carrier by Warlord Zsinj, as the Night Caller. Pirated by Wraith Squadron and used to kill one of the warlords Admirals, it was rechristened the Ession Strike, though recently the GAG modified it further. It can carry a full squadron of X-wings and two TIE fighters - the former in the cargo bay, and the latter in the place of its escape pods, so we should be able to put what we have of Wraith and Dancer Squadrons inside with some effort." Detail was added to the ship as he spoke.



"I will be in command of the corvette as the Third Fleet advances on Commenor to occupy our defences. The extra modifications, and our target, are both classified - I and Commander Vua will know, but that is it." Vua stood straighter at that, breaking his reverie. Probably thinking about Tracy again, he sighed inwardly.

"Any questions? This will be a simple escort mission for us, so I don't expect it to be anything untoward - we may face some resistance leaving the system, so make sure you keep an eye on your fuel as you may have to jump out."

Their datapads received the mission profile, and a breakdown of the Commenori fleet. There were notes that the fleet had been decimated by Colonel Solo and the Fourth Fleet at the Battle of Balmorra last month, and confirmation that Empire-era Star Destroyers, Carrack-class light cruisers, K-wings and TIE models were what was expected in-system. There was an addendum about the raid in the Commenor system that elements of their squadron had launched last week now, targeting key Confederate operatives.

Aden paused to give them a chance to absorb the notes. "Oh, and we have one new X-wing fresh from Incom. All other fighters are being repaired by scrapping damaged ships. We have no torpoedoes for this trip; all ordnance has yet to be replaced."

He said that for Tracy's purposes; she had a fighter, at very least.

TAG: @galactic-vagabond422 (2), @I_am_Kooky

This is a re-posted TAG to take into account the completed combo with GV. We shall be moving very forward shortly, my friends.
---
IC: Admiral Babo
Aboard the Hawkbat Base, Halmad, keeping to himself

Keeping to himself, Babo kept to his pact and simply kept up-to-date on the war. In these hours, the GA had turned the tide entirely, but he wanted to follow his word, and left Adalia, Loriana, Adam, and the others to what they needed to do. He didn't even know Mirax, Kyp and Corran had arrived, which he would be desperate to meet if he knew.

While the Bothan was sure some kind of event was going on, he didn't know a wedding was afoot.

But undoubtedly soon the entire base would know, and be roped in.

For his part, Babo avoided his superior.

The Head of State and Supreme Commander of the Confederation, Turr Phennir, wanted to know where he was.

Now.

But Babo would keep his word, and wait until they were ready for him. In many ways, Adam spoke his language more than these people, and Babo wished he had some more time alone with the man.

TAG: @Adalia-Durron, @The Real Kyp Durron, @adaml83, @WarmNyota_SweetAyesha
---
IC: Droma
Aboard the Eriaduan platform, gathering with the others

The Ryn couldn't wait in the end, and nor could Welmo.

Nor could the Quintad, actually, who requested a formal update from the Malek family at their earliest convenience.

Welmo nodded his way through unfamiliar Adumari pilots, looking for his personal connection in it all. The station was completely abandoned save for the new arrivals - the Adumari who had saved the system, the team that had saved the Maleks - no outsiders, save of course for the unobtrusive Ryn.

Trec, for his part, had a waiting call from Rogriss, to check the status of events.

Droma, looking completely out of place, as all Ryn did, and wasn't far from meeting Marie or Kael, as it was.

Meanwhile, Romulus and Remus were prowling at the edge of events, as they were best to do, when the Society reported that Eris Harro had been killed; their Sith twins had struck. That news would reach the Malek's soon enough; that the Quintad was now a Quadrad!

Such news would undoubtedly reach Bernael as well - perhaps Romulus and Remus would be the ones to deliver the news - as much as he was travelling with Ebony and Renn. Indeed, it might indicate a direction for them when they were bereft of one. Of course, Bernael was leading their quest now Ebony had abandoned her contract to Jacen Solo...

TAG: @darthbernael, @Adalia-Durron, @Anedon, @adaml83
---
IC: Darth Caedus
Seething, on Coruscant

He had his daughter, and the tide of the war was turning in his favour, but there was too much at stake; his gains were not all that solid, and if anything were to happen to him, Allana would be returned to Hapes and the tide would change - assuming Tenel Ka was alive. He needed to expand his net... wider, and more deadly.

He had Aden Kya in play against the Confederation...

... and Tahiri Veila in play against the Jedi...

Tehanis and the others - her rogue squadrons - they were a connecting tie between all his opponents.

So it made sense to widen his targets.

"Tahiri, you want to see Anakin again? I need you do one more thing, and I shall recall you. We shall flow-walk, and we can do whatever you wish." Darth Caedus smiled with the face of Jacen Solo, amused.

His GAG spy on Eriadu had told him all he needed to know.

"Head to Eriadu. There is a gathering of Confederate and enemy might; divide it and we shall have our victory."

TAG: No One

 

IC Loriana, Rooty, Jay, Jesse, Emaline, Erbas - Thanks to @WarmNyota_SweetAyesha
Hawkbat base - hangar bay.




"He was called to the Pulsar Skate." Emaline said nervously. "He said he'd be back in time, but he's...not." She felt uneasy not having the reassurance of Jem beside her.

Jay smiled warmly. "That's where Addie is, she may have needed him for something." She explained. "He's still on base, and you've got us." She gently gripped the young woman's shoulder.

Rooty approached brushing imaginary dust off she shoulder of his steel blue colour shirt. "He's giving her away I'd bet."

Erbas had been standing nearby. "You know that for sure?" he asked.

"No, just guessing, he is her brother after all." Rooty explained as he watched Jesse lurk just away from the group. The man seemed very serious about something. Leaning closer to Erbas he asked. "What's up with him?"

Erbas snorted softly. "You mean you didn't pick up on it?"

"On what?" Rooty was confused.

"Geez, not very observant are you? He's in love with Addie!" Erbas hissed.

Two blinks of disbelief came before Rooty turned to look at the older man and back to Erbas. "He's kinda her type too...."

"Bite your tongue! Best not let Durron hear you say that!" Erbas kept his voice low. As he turned away and his attention was well and truly caught. "Hello....." he said softly.

Rooty turned at this and was equally as surprised. The newest member of the team approached, her long strawberry blonde hair now hanging loose and soft, her soft lavender blouse falling gracefully over her form and her smile touching her sparkling blue eyes. "Ok, that's unexpected." He smiled and stepped forward. "Loriana, you look ..........lovely."

Loriana had found a very nice outfit at a boutique which served the Base personnel, and even a pair of bangle ear rings. She approached the group of pilots with a smile.

Rooty's sincere compliment made a soft blush touch her cheeks. "Thank you. I really am looking forward to the ... nuptials."

"And you look the part more so than any of us." Rooty said warmly noticing the sparkle off her earring, they replicated the ones in her eyes. Someone nudged him.

"Oi, Romeo, we need to sit down." Jay whispered into his ear from behind so only he could hear.

He glanced over his shoulder giving a nod. "Loriana?" He extended a bent elbow. "Can I escort you to your seat?"

Loriana nodded. "You certainly may, and thanks."

Jesse stood silently internally his heart was breaking. He didn't want to be here. Jesse had spent the better part of the last 5 or so standard years reading about her, then he met her. It only took him hours to know the woman he'd read about, heard rumours about and now knew was the only one he'd ever wanted, or loved. How did he manage to fall in love with someone who didn't even notice him? How did he fall so hard in such a short time for a woman he only every held the faintest hope of winning? Now, he was being forced to watch Adalia Tehanis marry another man, not him. He folded his arms over his chest, his hands grabbing his shirt into fists, he had to hide his pain, had to act like this wasn't a vibroblade in his heart.

Rooty grinned as he took Loriana's arm. "As a close friend of the Bride I am sure I have the right to be up the front." He explained to her as they walked. "Have you attended a wedding before?"

Jay rolled her eyes as she followed.

Loriana answered, "I have, of my older brother and school friends. Nothing as - spontaneous as this is, though." She laughed. "That they could throw something together at such short notice is nothing short of miraculous and fascinating."

Rooty gave a nod. "I would put nothing past the Jedi, if they want it to happen, it will." He found a pair of seats in the front row and gestured to her. "After you."

Loriana settled in her seat and reflected that if the Jedi really did get involved and showed such innovative quick thinking on the war front, victory would come.

They weren't ready, so Rooty pressed on. "How long you been flying?"

Loriana said: "I tried as a pilot since I was 18 and qualified fully at 20 then joined the Planetary Defense Corps at 21, so professionally about five years or so."

He gave a nod as they spoke quietly. "I've been at it since I was about the same age....15 standard years now." he said with a frown realizing he'd revealed his age. "Was your age when I was fighting the Yuuzhan Vong." In for Credit in for 20 he decided.

Loriana's eyes widened. "Oh that must have been exciting and heart-breaking all at once! I was a mere youngling when I lost my parents in the war, and I was fortunate to be adopted by a fine family in the shipping/transport business." She paused and decided to indulge in a bit of curiosity. "Colonel Tehanis and Adam Lyons, they seem to have a history that goes way back. I'm curious how that all unfolded, if it's not classified?" She winked.

Rooty suppressed a chuckle. "No secret. We were stationed on Oracle base, its in the outer rim, near the Vergasso asteroid belt. Aden Kya had his version of the Wraiths out there and Addie was leading the Wild Knightz back then. Aden was a pain in the .....well you know, back then even. He had his Wraiths making reports against Addie as Antilles had put her in charge of the base and not Kya. He was pissed. After investigation Kya and his team were removed from the base and found to be....lacking. Adam was sent with his Twin Suns to replace him." Rooty grinned. "They hit it off immediately. They're best friends now. Its like they are siblings from different parents." he explained.

Loriana said thoughtfully: "Seems like leaders with scruples versus not don't change much, and the former certainly inspire confidence and loyalty. Looks like I definitely landed in the right camp."

Rooty winked. "Guarantee it. Stick with me and you'll learn so much more." He promised. He looked up. "I think they're about to start, best be quiet now."



TAG @Sinrebirth.

 

OOC: A little combo with @Adalia-Durron, setup for the next stage of events

IC Bernael, Renn, Ebony
Repairs and regrouping

Bernael woke, feeling once again himself, the wounds having closed and the injuries repaired. Beyond his door, he could hear the astromechs and that damnably efficient Neti making what repairs that could be made to his Fury before they arrived at what was sure to be yet another chaos filled situation. He stood, moving to the door, before he remembered the human that Renn had brought onboard before they had left, 'Interesting, this one seems different.' he thought as he reached out and examined her presence through the Force.

As he touched the door stud, his wristpad's comm chimed and notified him that there were several messages awaiting his perusal. He walked into the main lounge and synched his wristpad with the main holo terminal. Pulling up all the messages at once and began to scan them.

Renn entered the lounge, "Hey vampi...." he began before he saw the display and knew that Bernael was catching up on whatever he had missed while asleep. "Good to see you up and about, our new friend has been helping me put this ancient bucket back together. What have we missed while dealing with Serenno?"

Ebony watched her counterpart rise and leave her and decided if he'd wanted her to accompany him, he'd have asked. Wiping her hair back and managing to smear grease on her face, she returned to the job at hand, not there was any way she'd be able to complete it without parts.

Bernael looked up from his perusal, "Seeing as she's not tied up or in restraints, I'm guessing that our guest has met with your approval. But yes, much has occurred. Rivoche and Ethan Malek survive and my team on Eriadu took proactive measures to deal with the situation so the Society has protected one and removed another from the gameboard. The craft that bombarded Taris was also present there and apparently has been destroyed in a battle overhead while the ground teams took care of the Sith's targets."

He sat down on the couch by the holo table, gesturing at the other messages. "From Society contacts around the galaxy, things are getting even more out of order, but mostly proceeding as they must. The Sith, Aden Kya, has taken command of a fleet and is preparing a battle action, has something else up his sleeve but I do not know what yet. Jacen seems to have disappeared but I know he is working toward something. The Jedi seem to have finally begun to take a stance, hopefully not too late. And it seems my partner is getting married, and while it would be humorous to crash the wedding, she needs a few moments peace before chaos reigns."

He looked over at Renn, "You spoke to our guest before we left, but I have yet to meet her, perhaps it's time to rectify that."

Standing, "Get word to Adam and Adalia about the operations on Eriadu but otherwise keep us on the hyperlane, for now, I still must decide where is the next destination that we must go." He let his presence and lifesigns fade, then faded from sight, Renn chuckled and almost followed, always enjoying when he did this bit to new people.

Silently entering the space where the human was working, Bernael observed her for a few moments before allowing his voice to seem to come from directly above her, even though he was standing a couple meters away, "Renn must truly think you're handy and worth having around if he lets you work on my ship."

She lifted her head at the sound of his voice, breathing in sharply but not looking. "I know my stuff, it's that simple."

A low chuckle seemed to come from her left now, "Knowing your stuff is one thing, but it's not that often I allow people I do not know to work on my ship, you could say she's my child."

And then another chuckle from her right, "But as I said, Renn must have sensed something so we shall see. Although, given that comm call before I slept, you have no problem stepping on the toes of the most powerful."

She noted the voice moving around and without looking about or turning she allowed her eyes to move only, they saw nothing. "Survival sometimes makes one take risks they'd not normally take." She leaned forward and continued to work on the cables she'd been attempting to remove due their now melted state.

Bernael leapt silently, landing on one of the cross compartment struts over her head. Crossing the tops of his feet on the top of the strut he let himself hang downward, looking 'up' at her. Slowly he faded into view and let the sound of his voice come directly from him. "Survival is an important trait to have. I am guessing you were told very little of me when you accepted the bounty, or survival may have caused you to not even accept."

Ebony didn't want to react, she'd learned a long time ago not to let anyone know how you were truly feeling, but his sudden appearance caused her to jump slightly. "No, I did not." She gazed directly into his dark eyes, attempting to hide her slight concern as she knew this creature could change his stance and choose to consume her at any point. "Tell me now, have I jumped from the frying pan into the fire?"

"Oh there is always fire around my activities, it is the nature of my life. But you have caught my interest, with your recent actions and I have no plans to indulge Renn in his enjoyment of continuing to call me a vampire."

He let go of the strut, dropping directly toward her. a few centimeters before his head would impact hers he kicked against one of the dormant pieces of equipment and flipped, landing soundlessly behind her. From the doorway he heard, "Spoilsport!" and turned, seeing Renn standing there.

"Messages have been sent, so I wanted to see if you'd indulge yourself and we'd have one less on board. But she is here now and I know, I know, your code." He said, raising his hands in mock surrender.

Ebony turned then assessing her situation. "Whilst I thank you for that if I am indeed impeding your plans, please find me somewhere to get off and I'll be on my way." she stated clearly, "Preferable with an oxygen atmosphere, I'll be no-ones's burden." The hair fell forward again causing her to wipe it back again.

Bernael chuckled once more, at her words and at the newest streak of grease she'd unconsciously rubbed on her face as she swept her hair back. "No one said you were impeding and given that Jacen knows you are here with me, better you stay here than elsewhere." He looked over at Renn, "What is it with these humans and always assuming they are a burden from the first moment they join us?"

Renn cocked his head, laughing, "Ummm, vampire, ancient, mythological beings. Humans coming into such a sphere tend to hope they're either overlooked or not stomped on, that our, hmmm, long path thoughts and actions could be hampered by their mayfly needs or activities. Or so it seems. But I do think this one is a keeper, if she can get over that."

Ebony shook her head and rolled her eyes before turning back to her task, that didn't dignify a response.

Renn laughed again, reaching out and picking up a cleaning cloth. He wandered over to her, aware his huge form was blocking out most of the light that she'd be able to work with. "Here," he said, dangling the cloth before her face, "that can wait for now, the astromechs have most of the critical systems up, including shielding and weaponry. I'd recommend getting cleaned up and you can meet us in the lounge for dinner, right, vampire?"

Bernael had shifted position out of the way and he nodded, "Yes, let's not continue standing around, or ignoring one another to act like the makework is more important than seeing how you integrate on this ship, so dinner it is, I'll have the chef start something." There was a rush of air and he was gone.

Renn turned back to Ebony, "I think you managed to make an impression, that's a start, so, to echo him, dinner it is."

She sighed, integrating with the ship wasn't part of her plan. Getting away and going to ground, that was her plan. She hoped she'd be dumped somewhere, access her hidden funds and disappear till someone with enough gumption took out Jacen Solo. Taking the rag she began to wipe her hands on it as she stood. "I'm good at impressions, it's being social I struggle with."

Renn laughed again, "Ummm, vampire," he waved his hand vaguely out of the room, "think he's the most social creature?"

He looked at her again, tasting her emotions, quietly, "It may not seem it, now or in the near future with his work, but this may be one of the safest places you can be to avoid the certain death lingering over your head."

"You know in all honesty, I am aware of that and it is a little disturbing." She looked to see her hands were clean. "It's in my nature to be suspicious and cautious. Pay it no mind, but I do not like owing anyone anything."

Renn chuckled, "You're a non Force using human bounty hunter who took on a bounty of a creature that annoyed even Jacen Solo, of course you don't like owing people. But while you are here I doubt the vampire is going to want you just lounging around, so pulling your weight doesn't mean the same as owing someone."

He headed toward the exit to the room, "Besides, with the way the war is going, who knows who will survive it so that should cheer you up."

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @Adalia-Durron, @adaml83 (Mentioned)