The second Bwing manned by two verpine follows Kara's lead and closes with the frigate firing both the ion cannon and the laser cannon.
Over your comms you hear Nothos chuckle, "Ha, I see you are delivering my new fighters. Please take them to my bow so we can attach our tractor and reel you in. I promise you will not be hurt, much..."
The Verpine a chattering to themselves between the 2 B-wings. Kara's engineer turns and says "It appears the ships do have torpedoes, they had a fail safe on them, we are removing it now."
Aneira will ensure the comms channel she's using to communicate with the PC ships is private.
A new voice crackles over the com between the rebel ships
...*buzz*...this is Aneira Seren of Alliance Intelligence, if you'd be so good as to direct your attention to the Nebulon B frigate that so rudely interrupted our flight today, you may see the aft deflector shields covering its engines appear to have had their power temporarily rerouted to the ship's entertainment systems. The Bith jazz medley currently blasting from the Nebulon's intercom won't last long so I'd suggest unleashing your weapon systems as quickly as possible... Seren out...
Aristi brings the freighter in behind the fighters and the shuttle, swerving every now and again to try and make a difficult target to hit but mostly he's fiddling with the various controls. "Uh, Djebelle, Rann, either of you good shots? We could use a gunner." Meanwhile, he tries to boost and redirect the signal from the ship's rectenna. He'd heard of an old trick that might confuse some of the frigate's weapons systems - it might keep them guessing long enough for this crew to make a jump to hyperspace. He idly explains this to anyone still in the cockpit as he works. Suddenly the Bothan hears Aneira's voice over the comms announcing that the frigate's aft deflectors going offline. "Did I do that? What do you know, it worked!" He turns his attentions to boosting the shields.
- 1 Ability + 2 Skill + 2 Difficulty = 2 Successes, 1 Triumph, 1 Advantage, 2 Failures, 1 Threat
- 1 Ability + 1 Skill + 2 Difficulty = 3 Successes, 3 Threats!
Juviest grins at the reply from Alliance Intel. "Got it, Intel!" The shuttle flies forwards towards the frigate. "B-Wing squadron, I'm sending you coordinates for approach on the frigate.", he sends over the comms. "Get those engines!"
The Lambda Shuttle closes to the aft of the frigate. "Engaging target!", Juviest shouts.
The heavy laser cannon cuts a path on the frigate's thick armor, leaving a stretch of burn marks. The Sullustan turns back towards the hull of the shuttle. "If anyone feels like shooting a frigate, there's another seat waiting!"
"Alright, those shields aren't getting back up any time soon!", he shouts over the comms. The ponderous shuttle flies off, readying for another approach.
the Mon Cal Freighter zooms up behind the b Wings and fires on the nebulon B but misses wildly
the Nebulon B's weapons rotate toward you though the rear battery seems jammed. Two Turbo laser batteries fire at the lambda shuttle, one missing the other slamming into the cockpit.
Another battery fires at Kara's b-wing missing it. Two more batteries fire on the other B-wing, one missing the other impacting on the tail.
the last battery fires on the freighter also missing it.
Kara's B wing slows to match the speed of the Frigate, Aims and Fires the Proton torpedoes.
The Verpine also slows and fires the laser cannon striking the frigate in the engines
the second Bwing fires his torpedo which slams into the rear of the ship
the verp co-pilot does damage control
This is Aneira, if these scans are correct that last salvo dropped ALL its shields, it's now or never!
As the moments pass and she can't be sure if the temporary comm channel she rigged is still working, she swears under her breath and abandons her slicing gear, dropping out of the concealed smuggling compartment and immediately sliding down the ladder to the unmanned turret.
Sliding in to the chair she slams her hand on the controls to wake them up, her other hand already disengaging the position lock to free the turret's movement. Sighting down the holographic display as it springs to life, she fires more by instinct than training, hoping her desire to finish this somehow translates in to success.
Gunnery (medium laser turret): 1 success, 2 advantage
The red energy bolts leap forward from the gun emplacement, slamming in to the frigate's defenceless engines, though doing scant damage. Aneira frowns in frustration.
Hoping her barrage has at least softened up the armor plating, she crosses her fingers that the others will have more success.
Amazingly, that frigate appears to be in chaos, though it was still firing back. Arist ducks and dodges with the freighter, but as far as possible he tries to hold the ship steady so that whoever was gunning could line up a clear shot.
Strain 12/14
Amazingly, that frigate appears to be in chaos, though it was still firing back. Arist ducks and dodges with the freighter, but as far as possible he tries to hold the ship steady so that whoever was gunning could line up a clear shot.
Strain 12/14
Shoving thrusters to full, Aristi continues to angle the ship so that the Verpine gunner could target the Imperial ship. Fine-tuning the controls, Aristi shouts over his shoulder, "So where you all heading? Cuz I'm happy to drop you off at Bothawui, but I get the feeling you all are heading somewhere else with those fancy fighters. I'm programming coordinates now, so if you have any requests let me know."
Djebelle holds her breath as the spacecraft swoop around the enemy vessel, laser fire flickering to and fro.
the verpine in the turret aboard the freighter fires his cannon striking the frigate
Juv fires his laser cannon hitting the rear of the frigate .
The last shot explodes along the frigate's engine casing, causing electric-blue sparks to dance over the scarred metal. A rumble tears through the Nebulon-B, and then the engines go dead. The hail of fire from the ship's laser batteries tell you that the frigate isn't completely vulnerable, however.
You direct the Verpine fleet to prepare to jump to lightspeed. Ackbar's voice comes over your com unit loud and clear. "Nice shooting strike team. We owe you our lives. Now let's get out of here. Our sensors indicate that the rest of the blockade is headed this way. We will see you at the rendezvous point."
Before you engage your own hyperdrives, another voice cuts through the cheers. It is a cold, menacing voice. "Savor this victory while you may, Rebels. Remember the name of Commander Bane Nothos, for one day I shall find you and make you pay — and dearly — for what you have done."
If Nothos says more you do not hear it, for you follow the last Verpine transport into hyperspace.
As the last engine goes dead, Kara lets out a sigh of relief. She pulls the B Wing into a tight bank, working towards the rest of the fleet while her Verpine engineer preps for hyperspace. When the craft finally makes the jump, she allows herself to loosen the death-grip she had on the controls.
...'well, that could've been worse'... then she finds a way to recline her seat, and goes to sleep.
As the engines of the gigantic frigate start to flicker following the Sullustan's barrage, Aneira lets out the breath she didn't realise she was holding, and slumps briefly in the gunner's chair, before lurching up and climbing the ladder back to the compartment she had been hiding in. Retrieving the rest of her gear she makes her way to the cockpit and nods at Aristi
Nice flying, if you aligned yourself with the other ships you'll be heading back to Rebel territory, all I'd ask is you drop us off safely and stay around a while before you blast off elsewhere.
She fixes him with a tight smile
You'll be rewarded for helping get us all off that rock, but I hope you'll stick around a bit longer for other reasons beyond credits.
She drops in to the co-pilot's chair and brings out a data pad, before tapping out a report in an efficient and practiced manner.
Upon arriving at the rendezvous point, there is great excitement at the escape and successful testing and use of the new b-wings. You soon find out that Commander Ackbar will be promoted to Admiral within days and Mon Mothma will preside over the ceremony herself. Ackbar finds you and thanks you personally for a job well done. He also asks you to be his honor guard during the ceremony. The days leading up to the ceremony are uneventful. You have ample time to rest and recuperate. Glek is taken into custody and transfer to the intelligence division.
After the ceremony Admiral Ackbar personally asks you to join the rebellion as a strike team and for your leader to take a commission as an lieutenant. He gives you a day to decide, but either way the rebellion will know your names and that will give you standing and the ability to get aid and equipment.
Kara leaps from the seat of the B Wing, almost before it's firmly settled on the plastcrete tarmac. She ignores the thronging rebels, shouldering her way through to the Mon Cal freighter. Spying Djebelle walking down the ramp, obviously enjoying the exultation of the crowd, she forces her way through to the woman.
Kara grabs Djebelle by the shoulder, spinning her around. "Don't you EVER do that again." She snaps at Djebelle, her face nearly touching the human woman's face. "When the blaster bolts start flying, you put your personal issues aside, or you get dead! You endanger yourself, the team, and the mission!" Kara whirls and storms back through the crowd, looking for where she can clean her gear and bunk down. She gives 'Alliance Intelligence' a wide berth.
...'and I can't always be there to save you'...
--------------------------------------
"Admiral on Deck!" Kara calls, jumping to attention as Admiral Ackbar enters the room. Stiff and erect, she listens to the Admiral's offer. It is with some disbelief that she realizes what he is asking. The very slightest grin touches the corners of her mouth at the thought. Honor Guard for the highest ranking Alliance fleet officer, with none other than Mon Mothma in attendance. Twist of fate indeed...
The Sullustan lets out a smile after crippling the engines. He keeps his stiff grip on the control as he aligns the shuttle along the coordinates. "Better cross this as one more suicide mission under the belt, people." He sets the autopilot and sits back in the chair, looking over his wounds.
----------------------
As the admiral enters the room, Juviest chuckles, taking the half-smoked cigar from his mouth. "We're outside of the chain of command, LT. afternoon, Admirals. You'd forgive an old wounded man for not standing up.", he replies, leaning back in the chair. He takes a long sip from his flask. "Should go grab my dress uniform. And my dress hat.", he smiles, tipping his worn hat at the brass.
Aneira follows Glek, glaring at him the whole time and making sure he is locked up before she relents in her escort duties.
She takes Admiral Ackbar's praise with a tight-lipped smile
Whilst I recognise the honour you do me, I prefer to stay in the shadows...
As the Mon Calamari simply stares at her for a few long and uncomfortable seconds, she continues
...but of course I would be happy to be there... sir...
Afterwards she seeks out the others that were there and introduces herself formally.
Not sure what's happening next, but you did a heck of a job clearing that base...
Kara sits in her usual way, legs crossed on a camouflaged poncho, weapons broke down in front her, the smell of the cleaning fluid filling the space. She goes about her tasks with clean precision, saying nothing.
But she's watching the Alliance Intelligence officer...closely. Not directly, but closely.
Aristi spends most of the journey through hyperspace and at the rendezvous in stunned disbelief. Rebels! For so long to him the Rebellion had just been a group of fringe terrorists - albeit with legitimate grievances - that cropped up on the HoloNet news now and again. Even when he found out his sister had been an agent. Now, to be here, having helped agents evade an Imperial blockade and even standing as honor guard to Rebel elites, it beggared belief.
The Bothan takes the time to get to know the others who escaped the station as well. The Verpine, Djebelle, and Aneira. Rann he'd lost in the crowd somewhere after they'd arrived, and he introduced himself to Kara, Juviest, and Thrassk. An interesting crew, he had the sense they'd seen a few adventures in their time.
Apart from that, Aristi keeps a pretty low profile around the base. He's a little disappointed to learn that the Mon Cal freighter actually belongs to Admiral Ackbar - any thoughts of being able to keep the ship to replace the one that was blown up with the station are dashed to pieces. It had been a nice little ship, in the end.
If Aristi finds himself with an opportunity to speak with Ackbar privately, he asks the Mon Cal about his sister. "Admiral Ackbar, sir? I wanted to ask, if you knew my sister. Arrion Or'agus. She was killed a couple years ago, I only found out later that she was a Rebel agent."
"I did not know of her but I am aware of the high price that many have paid for the Alliance. What was her story?" he responds.
Before you engage your own hyperdrives, another voice cuts through the cheers. It is a cold, menacing voice. "Savor this victory while you may, Rebels. Remember the name of Commander Bane Nothos, for one day I shall find you and make you pay — and dearly — for what you have done."
Djebelle giggles, mainly from relief and nervous tension. "Remember the name - how could we forget?! I mean, what sort of mother names their kid 'Bane' anyway? Or do suppose he picked it himself?"
She chews thoughtfully on a lock of her long purple hair. With the enemies she's made already, this Nothos will just have to stand in line.
Spying Djebelle walking down the ramp, obviously enjoying the exultation of the crowd, she forces her way through to the woman.
Kara grabs Djebelle by the shoulder, spinning her around. "Don't you EVER do that again." She snaps at Djebelle, her face nearly touching the human woman's face. "When the blaster bolts start flying, you put your personal issues aside, or you get dead! You endanger yourself, the team, and the mission!"
Djebelle blinks rapidly, but it doesn't help: tears begin to leak from her eyes, although she forces herself to listen to Kara's tirade and not run away. Her good mood instantly dispelled, she can do no more than mumble a heartfelt "sorry." She wants to say more, but her throat aches with not crying - and besides, Kara whirls and is gone before she can work out what to say.
Thus subdued, she says nothing for the remainder of the ceremony.
After the ceremony Admiral Ackbar personally asks you to join the rebellion as a strike team and for your leader to take a commission as an lieutenant. He gives you a day to decide, but either way the rebellion will know your names and that will give you standing and the ability to get aid and equipment.
Her curiosity is piqued by the offer, but she's keenly aware that she isn't the leader here. She stays silent, watching what the others have to say for themselves.
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Aneira makes no attempt to be subtle as she approaches Kara. She sits down and nods at the Chiss.
Hello Kara Savyn, Lieutenant, formerly 3rd Commando...
Her orange eyes are watchful as she sits in as unthreatening a posture as she can muster.
So you won't know me, but I do know you, or at least as much of you as fits in to a couple of hours slicing Imperial databases and reading Alliance reports...
She watches as Kara's hands move methodically over the gun parts, gleaming trigger mechanism snapping in to the blaster housing.
This was an important undertaking for the Alliance and you had ample opportunity to sabotage the retrieval of the starfighters, more than that, if you were a spy you could have done so and still maintained your cover
She follows the gun barrel as it slides in to the receiver with a click.
You are a shrewd woman, with talent that we could use, if you wanted to put it to use for a cause that is
The stock kaleidoscopes in to the handle, locking in place with a twist.
This has been more words than I usually speak in an entire conversation, I'll leave you in peace if you'd prefer...
The question hangs in the air as the energy chamber is slammed home and the charging handle depressed, the whine as the power cells energise confirming the blaster is fully functional once more. The gun lies on the table, pointed straight at Aneira. She ignores it and waits for an answer...
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Kara says nothing as Aniera goes through her paces, typical Alliance recruiting stuff. She slams the energy cell home, turning the big blaster over and back as she checks the final assembly. She sets it down on the table and picks up her combat blade and a whetstone.
sssssshhhhhhhhkkk
The edge of the blade rasps over the whetstone in a practiced fashion. The noise of steel over porous stone can be grating to some, Kara hoped that was true here...
ssssshhhhhhkkk
"You know nothing about me, Alliance Intelligence."
ssssssshhhhhhkkk
Kara looks up at the Devaronian woman, red stare matching orange.
ssssssshhhhhhkkk
"Anything else?
Kara didn't like this situation. She was out of her element here and things were moving way too fast. She liked combat ops and the planning that went with them. She liked a team of skilled operatives, each knowing their area of expertise and what the others could do. Every man and woman did their job and could count on the team members to do theirs also. Now she was stuck in this Alliance mess, with this team of...she didn't know what. Now the Alliance had sent this one to keep an eye her. At least they were obvious about it, ImpSec wouldn't have introduced themselves.
She looks at the razor edge of the combat blade. Made from the finest carbide-titanium steel money could buy, it was a gift from...him. The thought made her frown, red eyes drawn tight as the angry memory came back.
'...Mon Mothma, three feet from me, could've put this right into her brain and got away before they knew what hit them. He'd like that...'
Kara explodes into motion, leaping to her feet and driving the blade deep into the table in front of her. On her feet, both hands on the table and breathing heavily, she says without looking up:
"Yeah, I'd prefer that..."
Djebelle giggles, mainly from relief and nervous tension. "Remember the name - how could we forget?! I mean, what sort of mother names their kid 'Bane' anyway? Or do suppose he picked it himself?"
Juviest shakes his head. "I knew of someone named Bane back in the Clone Wars. He was deserving of the name, I'll tell you that. As for this guy, I'm thinking you're right, kid." He chuckles.
Once on the base, he takes a seat next to Thrask. "Well, Trandoshan, good work. Been a while since I've fought side by side with someone as tough. Would probably make me rethink if I ever get a contract on you." He puts on a smile, passing a bottle of Corellian's finest to Thrask. He then leans back, staring at the window and into space. Well, well, fighting for the Alliance. Not that it's not a good cause, it's just that I never thought about it. Seem like good people, most of the time. And I don't feel like seeking out their skeletons in the closet.
After the ceremony Admiral Ackbar personally asks you to join the rebellion as a strike team and for your leader to take a commission as an lieutenant. He gives you a day to decide, but either way the rebellion will know your names and that will give you standing and the ability to get aid and equipment.
Well at least we don't have to call the LT. anything different now. Though being led never went that great with me.
One evening Pollard finds you sitting eating the night's meal. "Good job team, I wish I could have been with you." he says as he massage his old worn hands. "We have found your old freighter, the Kessel's Folly, it appears some of the Verpine used it to join the escape convoy. We have had it repaired and readied for you to take when you go. You can get to it a pad G9. See my friend Bulva at the maintenance and logistics shop to get any provisions or gear you think you need. I dont know where you are headed but I count you all as friends."
Kara rests in her bunk, legs up on her helmet and her arms behind her head. Lost in thought, she lies there staring at the ceiling. When the knock comes, she growls a simple "Come in", fulling expecting...someone. Who? Djebelle? She didn't know.
Kara flashes a genuine smile when she sees Pollard. She swings her long legs down off her bunk and stands to meet the man.
"Pollard! Glad to see you made it off of that rock! She clasps his wrist in hers, forearm to forearm, before she realizes that this is an Imperial thing. But, Pollard seems to roll with it, so she doesn't say anything. She listens with all serious at Pollard's proposal and receives the envelope with a grim face.
"Roger that. We'll be in touch, Pollard." She says as she walks with him to the door.
She lays on her bunk for a long time, staring at the envelope. Things were moving fast, too fast, and now she was all the way in. 'Fishpond' and 'firebreather'. Funny, that. Her unit in the 3rd was known as the 'Fire Eaters'. She stands up and moves over to the trash compactor. Holding the envelope over the opening, she takes a lighter to it, watching the paper go to slow ashes.
'Fishpond' and 'firebreather', she'd remember those words.
"I did not know of her but I am aware of the high price that many have paid for the Alliance. What was her story?" he responds.
"Well, sir, I was hoping you could tell me. We didn't know she was an agent at all, and it was only after she was killed I found word that she had been trying to smuggle plans of some Imperial battle station to the Rebel Alliance. I think she was trying to lead Imperial agents away so the rest of her team could escape. I mean, I thought I knew my sister! I just never knew she would do anything like that. I don't want her story to be forgotten."
Afterwards, Aristi mills about. Most of the others seemed tough, military types. The Bothan is a bit torn, unsure whether to stick around to find out a bit more about this Rebellion, or to try and get back to his normal life. At the least, it was getting time that he needed to check in with his family, to let them know he was alright and also to let them know that consignment to Shantipole hadn't exactly gone according to plan.
Aneira nods at Kara
You are right, all I have learned so far has been about the Kara of the past, I know nothing of the Kara stood before me in the present.
She stands up, ready to leave
I look forward to getting to know her, but for now I'll give her the space she thinks she needs
she walks away without a backwards glance.
*
Happy to assist and already on it, I'll let you know what I find out through the usual channels. Fly safe she nods with a tight smile, her hair dancing as she turns and walks back towards the small squad
Aneira makes her presence known to Juviest, Thrask and Aristi. She grins at the Sullustan and Trandoshan
Pleased to formally meet you, your reputations precede you I'm sure you'll both be happy to hear!
She turns to Aristi and beckons him over to a corner of the room
I don't know what you've already been told, but your sister was... a hero. Through her sacrifice we were able to get enough information to pinpoint the weakness of the Imperial battle station, Yavin would have had a different outcome without her involvement. Regardless of what the Alliance has told you officially, your family has my thanks, and the thanks of scores of other operatives I cannot mention. Her name will be honored.
she nods to Aristi, eyes downcast for a moment, before moving back to the middle of the room to talk to Thrask and Juviest, giving Aristi the time he might need to process what she just told him.
Juviest acknowledges the newcomer with a tip of his hat. "Hoping they didn't make you read the whole story. It's decades filled with boring, checkered with the occasional week of excitement." He offers his hand. "Juviest Vood, pleasure. So how'd you get messed up in this whole situation?", he asks, taking a sip from his flask and offering it to the newcomer. The thick smoke of his cigar fills the air.
Thrask takes a while to join the rest, he wanted to make sure that his prisoner was secured by all manner of the word. He dragged him through the halls face down the entire way. He grabbed some of the cording and heaved the Quarren up onto the table. "Forgive me, I didn't have time to prepare the squid properly for consumption...but I figured you lot wouldn't mind him raw." he said before walking away and finding himself a nice relaxing spot to lay back and zone out.
His reptilian eye opened back up once he was addressed and saw the bottle. He raised his eyeridge before taking the bottle and dropping back a swig and handing it back with a grunt. "I would find no honor in taking on such a scrawny one as you so you have no worries of finding my blades." he said grinning after a time.
When the newcomer with the horns came over he tilted his head. "Mmm...horns, those make for an easy way to wrestle one to the ground or control someone. I could....trim them for you if you'd like or show you how detrimental they can be...." he said. As he got to the point of mentioning to trim them, he pulled the vibroknife that he left stuck in his chest out with a grunt and licked it before continuing. He laughed when he finished his sentence and slid the blade back into his chest.
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Djebelle watches with amusement at the exchange between Aneira and Kara. As Kara makes her feelings clear and withdraws, she chuckles, not unkindly, at the Intelligence officer: "Gotta say, you pushed all the wrong buttons there, hon. I'm curious, though - does that 'ah yes, we know all about you' schtick ever actually work? Cuz it'd really tick me off, and I'm easygoing-"
The purple-haired girl's voice cuts off as she is suddenly overwhelmed with emotions - conflicting, powerful, other; not hers, she realises. She can feel Juviest's distrust of the authority, Aristi's grief and anger, Thrask's barely-suppressed rage, Kara's sense of isolation; everything. The Force is flowing more strongly through her, almost day by day. Closing her eyes tightly, she rides the wave as best she can, but it's no use: everyone's too close together. She has to get out.
What she needs is a drink. Several drinks. Several strong drinks. She saw just the place, earlier. With a muffled "'Scuse me," she stumbles away.
==================
This time, the knock on Kara's door is Djebelle, although not as Kara might first recognise her; a tattered cloak entirely swathes her frail form, and as she lets it fall away, it's clear from her face that she's blitzed out of her mind. Her hugely dilated pupils gaze at the Chiss woman, trying to force the multiple images to coalesce into one; she manages, briefly. It doesn't make Kara look any less dangerous.
She grins. "Hey, hon, looka what I've got! " Holding up a rather less than half-full bottle, Djebelle waves it, sloshingly. "Quasar Spice - 's banned in most 'mperial systems. Good stuff. Have one. Least I c'n do aft- after, well, you saving my life an' stuff." From a fold in her cloak, she produces two metal tumblers, with a flourish. Filling both, Djebelle downs hers in a single gulp.
"Gah! 'S better. Numb. Can't feel it, you know?" She looks confidingly at Kara. Another shot. "You know what I'm talking'bout, hon - the Force. 'S funny, right? Most people find out, they wanna run or turn me in - you find out, you stick by me! A Nimp Erial Commando!" She giggles. Another shot. Suddenly mournful. "I could feel it, hon - when that station blew, you know? All the lives on it, snuffed out. Like that." She tries to snap her fingers, but can't seem to find them right now. Another shot. "'s like, if, say, the Galaxy was a big tapestry, all the lives crossing and criss-crossing, and I can see them, you know? Maybe tug one here, another there, change the shape - and then suddenly SNIP!" Another shot. "Gone." She sniffs; euphoric drunk is rapidly giving way to melancholy drunk. Another shot.
"I couldn't, Kara. Shoot him like that. All I could think was, who is he? What choices did he, you know, make to get there? What if he didn't have any choices? What if he didn't want to be there? An' then I was grateful when you shot him, so what does that make me? 'S not much better, you know, is it?" Another shot. "An' then we scrammed, an' the station blew, an those lives, Kara, all those threads..." She starts to cry.
Even nursing a sore, hungover, head, Djebelle's street smarts haven't entirely deserted her: she spotted the Rodian some time ago and now she's trying to think. Ouch. Think quietly.
Drawing on her strengthening Force powers, she reaches out and occludes his mind, fogging his brain and disappearing from his sight.
Thus effectively invisible, she follows him, curious to see where he goes once he realises he's lost her. Is he reporting back to anyone, or is he a lone agent?
Walking away from Kara, Aneria congratulates herself on handling the situation.
Well, she didn't say no, and she didn't attack me, so that's good I guess. Why the Admiral couldn't send someone more diplomatic is beyond me, I'd rather be reviewing reports than doing a meet and greet. Wonder if he'll make me write a report after?
*
Aneira laughs at Juviest's quip
Indeed you had by far the largest amount of data by date range, but I'm used to skim reading!
She shakes the offered hand with a light and delicate touch
I was on Shantipole Station tracking down a suspected Imperial informant when the Imperials arrived. Had to hide away in the freighter so I'm glad your team came along when they did, glad to get everything all wrapped up nicely this time.
She turns as Thrask addresses her and blinks slowly
I am glad my body would not suit your blade Thrask, your reputation precedes you, I think Glek is still squirting ink at mere mention of your name.
she sits down and pours herself a small amount of liquor, sipping it delicately with obvious distaste but seems to be trying hard to join in.
Thrask looked up and over at Aneira after she spoke. He had been speaking to the Sullustan but it took him a moment to recognize her kind. He snorted and stood up before lumbering over to her. He leaned down slightly and sniffed slightly at her hair. "You would not make a fine prize indeed. But perhaps this blade could do you a favor, it may be advantageous to take advantage of your species...unique look, cut that hair off and slip on some break away horns and you could give your opponent quite the surprised when they tried to wrestle you down with them. Plussss...it might make for good leverage in other areas of your life provided they aren't too rough" he said before letting out a hissing roar of a laugh and walking off towards somewhere he might be able to get some space for himself. If he could find an officer's room to steal, that's what he'd do.
Aneira tries to smile, though it comes across as more of a grimace as Thrask alternately insults and threatens her.
A good thing then that this is supposed to be positive behaviour from a Trandoshan, I hate to imagine what would happen if he didn't like me!
The frail-looking Devaronian takes another sip of the vile-tasting liquor and tries to ignore the plumes of smoke coming from Juviest's direction.
So I hear there might be another assignment soon, there is a freighter you might be familiar with, the 'Kessel's Folly' down in the dock just finishing a maintenance cycle. Do you want to go and look around it before we look over the mission documents?
All of this passes through her mind in a fraction of a second, as she sizes up this Meki. Well, if he was a bounty hunter she'd be dead already; or worse, captive and on her way back to Projane Farr's stronghold. But who is the 'we' he mentioned? She could try squeezing it out of his brain, but you get more flies with honey, yadda yadda.
Throwing Meki her best dimples, she shifts her body language into 'friendly,' tucking back a strand of her long purple hair behind her ear as she does so, to show her best side.
"A girl likes to be complimented, thanks! So tell me more about yourself, Meki; who's the 'we' and how do you know about me? Didn't think I was that famous!" Indeed, she'd rather hoped to lie low; if this Rodian can find her, then surely Farr can too. Damn. Time to leave.
With a quick glance around he hands you a data chip and continues, "These are coordinates to a box in a secret place. When you are able to gain access to the box you will have earned the gift. When you have earned the gift you will have earned our trust and hopefully vice versa."
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Kara stood up to meet Djebelle as she came in, reaching out to catch the woman as she stumbled over the chair near the door. The close proximity gave Kara a whiff of what she'd been up to.
'...oh god she's drunk...
'...Quasar, eh?...'
Djebelle seemed to be in a mood to talk - Q-spice did that to you - and Kara needed a drink anyway. Matching her shot for shot, Kara said nothing while the woman went on and on.
'...a real, live Force user...' Kara thinks, her eyes narrowing. '...is that what it does? Can you really feel all of those people?'
She didn't know what to think about Djebelle's rambling. She'd killed more people than she can count. The Espo guard on Taris, guilty of being in the way, took her knife in the windpipe. A Rebel Captain on Ryloth, smothered in his sleep. She never forgot any of them...it's just...she didn't feel them like Djebelle was describing. She came out of her thoughts as Djebelle was talking about the Sergeant on Shantipole. She started crying, and Kara suddenly felt very out of place. Here was something she knew literally nothing about. She reached out her hand toward Djebelle's bowed head, then stopped. She didn't know how to...
She put her hand under the woman's chin, and lifted her head up so their eyes met.
"At some point you have to decide, Djeb. Which...'thread' is is more important? Yours? The ones of your team? Like it or not you - we - belong to something now. You've been running all your life, trying to stay away from the feelings of those around you. Maybe it's time to embrace it."
She didn't know what the hell she was saying. '...must be the Quasar spice, it had a way of making you talk like that. Ah well..another shot...'
That night, Kara didn't sleep for a very long time. And when she finally did drift off, her sleep was plagued with the nightmares of friends lost.
Aristi watches as Admiral Ackbar heads away. He hadn't known Arrion, so the Bothan wasn't really expecting much in the way of an answer. He just wanted to make sure she was remembered. When Aneira speaks to him about his sister, Aristi's silent until she takes her leave as well. Later he finds her and places a paw on her shoulder. "Thank you," is all he says.
Feeling better about things, the Bothan tries to find a way to make himself useful.
Aristi's happy to see Auren Fallon again. "Sure, I'd be interested in the job, but I haven't got a ship at the moment. It was impounded by Imperials, then they, uh, went and got it blown up. But I think I know another ship that might be available, and I think I can get a crew." he remarks conspiratorially.
One by one, Aristi looks out some of the agents who had been at Shantipole Station: Djebelle, Juviest, Kara, Thrassk, and Aneira. "Hey! I wanted to say thanks for helping me get out off that station. I wasn't sure what those Imperials were going to do. I hear you've got a freighter? Fancy making some money? I've got a friend who's got some work, simple transport work, nothing illegal that I know of. With your help I think we could make it a success."
Kara's grip is firm, and Djebelle can't flinch away from the contact - which transmits, dimly, some of Kara's memories of past violence, of killing and death.
It is sobering. Sitting up slightly straighter, she nods at the Chiss woman's words, her soft brown eyes meeting Kara's red gaze. "But what of you, hon? The Force led me to you, but I don't think it was so you could stay as a stone-cold killer, just one who works for a new team..."
She trails off. She doesn't make a habit of barging into other people's space and criticising them.
A long, slightly awkward silence.
"Sorry - and, and thanks. For everything. I should go."
She doesn't move.
She's uncertain whether her legs will support her or not if she tries to stand.
Trust is important, and Djebelle nods. She'll hold off interrogating him for now. She secures the datachip, looking at it curiously. "OK. Thanks. I assume you'll find me again?" With a - slightly mischievous - grin and a wink, she ghosts away.
One by one, Aristi looks out some of the agents who had been at Shantipole Station: Djebelle, Juviest, Kara, Thrassk, and Aneira. "Hey! I wanted to say thanks for helping me get out off that station. I wasn't sure what those Imperials were going to do. I hear you've got a freighter? Fancy making some money? I've got a friend who's got some work, simple transport work, nothing illegal that I know of. With your help I think we could make it a success."
Djebelle grins. "Profit always sounds good - and I'm not that fussed about legal, there's too many damn laws in the Galaxy anyway. You need a talker, a diplomat, I'm your girl."
At a suitable moment, the purple-haired girl sidles up to the Devaronian woman. "Sorry our earlier conversation cut off - I got a bit... overwhelmed." She's not going to admit to being a Force user to someone she's only just met.
She tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Anyway, I had a meeting with - with a contact of mine and he handed me this." She holds out a datachip. "Could you help me see what's on it, please? It might be dangerous information, but I guess if you spy for the Alliance then that's just another day with a 'y' in it, right?"
She gives her best disarming smile.