Star Wars: The RPG ~ Episode VII: Dawn of the New Republic IC Thread (II)

[Rain Dog]

"As soon as Artoo has the docking crew prep the Dreams and my fighter."

I smile at Boolon's excitement. Honestly, I feel it too. I try to keep in mind it's just a rumor. But the idea of having another Master to train with...

"Do you suppose...do you suppose you could assist me in crafting my Jedi weapon on the way? It would feel improper to me if I was to meet this Master without a lightsaber. Of course, I completely understand if the procedure is too complex and best saved for another time..."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Joren begins stepping out of the repulsor lift as the doors slide open. As he steps out into the hallway, two security officers look at the trio, just about doing a double take as they watch the two Jedi and the Mandalorian step toward them.

After a moment's hesitation, the two guards, a human and a Rodian draw their blasters and begin firing.

Snap-hiss

Joren ignites his lightsaber and effortlessly bats the bolts backat the guards. One bolt catches the human square in the chest, dropping to the ground with a smoking hole just over his heart. The Rodian was hit by a deflected bolt in the arm. The Rodian cries out in surprise, but again takes aim and begins firing at Joren and the others.

Joren leaps into the air, using the Force to propel him farther than a normal human could, and lands directly behind the Rodian, and with a swift arcing strike with his lightsaber, separates the Rodian's head from its body.

As her turns to make his way down the hall, he feels something...he can feel Kelsa's familiar presence in the Force.

"I'd say we're in the right place." Dono quips as he passes over the corpses of the two guards.

"She's here, just ahead." Joren says as he turns and starts out toward the large set of doors at the end of the hall.

As they approach the doors, they find that they have been magnetically sealed. Dono pounds on the control panel in vein, as he is unable to get the doors to open.

"Stand back." Joren says as he ignites his lightsaber and jabs it into the door, holding it there as the durasteel door begins to glow orange from the heat given off by the Jedi weapon.

After several moments, the glowing metal becomes a molten mass and begins to flow to the floor. With a concentrated Force push, Joren blasts a hole in the door large enough for the three of them to get through.

"Doors open." Deena says with a smirk as they enter the room.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Everytime I see the temples of Yavin rising above the trees of the vast jungle I am taken back in time, years earlier when I was a member of the fledgling Rebel Alliance. From our base here, we fought one of the early critical battles of the war. It was in that battle when a young moisture farmer from Tatooine proved that the mighty Empire could be deafeated.

It's only fitting that from our former secret base, that same young moisture farmer is guiding a new generation of Jedi Knights, who will bring justice to the galaxy for generations to come.

I am snapped out of my thoughts by the sound of Chewie grunting something to Han just as the last of Luke's students disembark from the Falcon, and follows the newest member of the order, the former dark Jedi Kam Solusar into the Great Temple.

I turn to Han and Chewie, as well as Luke's students Huc and Mission who have remained behind to aid us in our current mission, and ask "So, where to now?"

 

[NiteMare Shape]

As they approach the doors, they find that they have been magnetically sealed. Dono pounds on the control panel in vein, as he is unable to get the doors to open.

"Stand back." Joren says as he ignites his lightsaber and jabs it into the door, holding it there as the durasteel door begins to glow orange from the heat given off by the Jedi weapon.

After several moments, the glowing metal becomes a molten mass and begins to flow to the floor. With a concentrated Force push, Joren blasts a hole in the door large enough for the three of them to get through.

"Doors open." Deena says with a smirk as they enter the room.

As they come through the hole in the doors, they are met by a volley of blaster fire. Joren re-ignites his lightsaber and bats away the first bolts as Dono and Deena take cover.

Joren advances on the assailant as Dono lays down cover fire. As Joren deflects blaster bolts, he looks into the black and silver mask of the Mandalorian bounty hunter before him.

"Drexlan."

"Hello Jetii." The bounty hunter snarls as he fires another bolt at Joren, which is easily deflected with a swipe his lightsaber.

"Stand aside, we're not leaving here without her." Joren says, his words trailing off as he sees Kelsa, encased in a large transparisteel cell.

"No, you're not going to be leaving at all. None of you are."

"You won't stop us."

"Typical Jetii, overestimating yourself."

Suddenly a door at the back of the large chamber opened, and another being, someone somewhat familiar, yet strange made his way into the room.

"So glad you could finally make it, Joren. I was beginning to wonder if you would ever show up." Said the being, a Quarren, disfigured and hooked up to crude life support systems, which made him look like some sort of vile experiment gone wrong.

"Silvak...you're..."

"Alive? Barely...no thanks to you. You left me for dead after our run in with the Imperials. Luckily, the Kaths found me and fitted me with...these. They saved my life, and I spent a long, long time trying to figure out just how I was going to make you pay."

"Silvak, I didn't know. I'm sorry."

"No...you're not. But you will be. You'll be sorry as you watch your lover die...and then I really make you pay. And only then, when I've destroyed you, and left you like this," he says, gesturing to his mangled body, "I'll let you join her." With that, Silvak pulls a switch near the transparisteel cell holding Kelsa, sending a torrent of water rushing into the cell. In an instant, the water is nearly waist deep and rising.

Silvak looks to Joren, and as he sees the look of surprise and fear cross the young Jedi's face, Silvak's face twists into a deformed grin.

"Now Drexlan, kill them."

 

[wiegeabo]

"Do you suppose...do you suppose you could assist me in crafting my Jedi weapon on the way? It would feel improper to me if I was to meet this Master without a lightsaber. Of course, I completely understand if the procedure is too complex and best saved for another time..."

"There's just one problem with that. I don't happen to carry focusing crystals on me." I pat Boolon's shoulder. "But we'll get you as far as we can."

 

[wiegeabo]

Zsinj returns to the deck of the Iron Fist, only to find the Chimera and several other ships looming out of the forward viewport.

"Sir, the Chimera is hailing us."

"Have you responded to their call?"

"No sir, I was awaiting orders."

"Good, maintain com silence. Let them cool their heels for a few minutes. I will not stand for the Grand Admiral's wanton disrespect. He can wait until I am ready to discuss matters further."

"Still no response, Captain?"

"No, Admiral. They are receiving our hails, but not returning them."

I nod slowly. "Cease hails. There's no reason in wasting our time. If Zsinj wants to throw a tantrum over our surprise visit, then best to wait it out rather than feed it." I stand before the windows, patiently looking out over the distance at the ships now bearing down on us

Your move, Moff...

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"Still no response, Captain?"

"No, Admiral. They are receiving our hails, but not returning them."

I nod slowly. "Cease hails. There's no reason in wasting our time. If Zsinj wants to throw a tantrum over our surprise visit, then best to wait it out rather than feed it." I stand before the windows, patiently looking out over the distance at the ships now bearing down on us

Your move, Moff...

"What's their status?" Zsnij asks as he approaches the comm officer.

"Nothing to report sir. They've stopped hailing us and appear to be in a holding pattern." The comm officer responded.

"Very well. Open a comm channel, let's see what the good Admiral wants."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

As they come through the hole in the doors, they are met by a volley of blaster fire. Joren re-ignites his lightsaber and bats away the first bolts as Dono and Deena take cover.

Joren advances on the assailant as Dono lays down cover fire. As Joren deflects blaster bolts, he looks into the black and silver mask of the Mandalorian bounty hunter before him.

"Drexlan."

"Hello Jetii." The bounty hunter snarls as he fires another bolt at Joren, which is easily deflected with a swipe his lightsaber.

"Stand aside, we're not leaving here without her." Joren says, his words trailing off as he sees Kelsa, encased in a large transparisteel cell.

"No, you're not going to be leaving at all. None of you are."

"You won't stop us."

"Typical Jetii, overestimating yourself."

Suddenly a door at the back of the large chamber opened, and another being, someone somewhat familiar, yet strange made his way into the room.

"So glad you could finally make it, Joren. I was beginning to wonder if you would ever show up." Said the being, a Quarren, disfigured and hooked up to crude life support systems, which made him look like some sort of vile experiment gone wrong.

"Silvak...you're..."

"Alive? Barely...no thanks to you. You left me for dead after our run in with the Imperials. Luckily, the Kaths found me and fitted me with...these. They saved my life, and I spent a long, long time trying to figure out just how I was going to make you pay."

"Silvak, I didn't know. I'm sorry."

"No...you're not. But you will be. You'll be sorry as you watch your lover die...and then I really make you pay. And only then, when I've destroyed you, and left you like this," he says, gesturing to his mangled body, "I'll let you join her." With that, Silvak pulls a switch near the transparisteel cell holding Kelsa, sending a torrent of water rushing into the cell. In an instant, the water is nearly waist deep and rising.

Silvak looks to Joren, and as he sees the look of surprise and fear cross the young Jedi's face, Silvak's face twists into a deformed grin.

"Now Drexlan, kill them."

Drexlan ignites his jetpack, sending him upward in an backward angle. As he gets some space between himself and the trio, and reaches into his belt and pulls out a concussion grenade, which he activates and hurls at the Jedi and their Mandalorian companion.

As the grenade sails toward them, Joren leaps out of the way, using the Force to propel himself clear of the grenade's blast radius. However, Dono and Deena are unable to get out of harm's way. The Blast catches them as they dive for cover. Dono takes most of the blast, his beskar armor protects him, absorbing the brunt of the impact. Deena, however, is knocked unconscious upon impact.

Joren looks over to his two friends and sees Dono staggering to his feet. Then he looks over to Deena and sees her laying their, sprawled out on the permacrete floor. He expands his Force presence to her, and finds that she is alive. Relieved, he refocuses on the task at hand.

Snap-hiss

He ignites his lightsaber, batting away blaster bolts fired by the black and chrome armored Mandalorian as Dono steps to his side, returning fire.

"I'll take care of Drexlan. You get Kelsa out of there!" Dono yells.

Joren nods in acknowledgement and makes his way toward Kelsa's cell, which is rapidly filling with water...the water now reaching her chin, she has to arch her head backward just to draw a breath.

As he approaches, he sees the the cybernetic monstrocity step before him.

"You know I can't let you do that."

Joren grips Silvak with the Force and is about to toss him aside when he is suddenly beseiged by a voice. Not an outter voice, a voice within his own mind, a voice that is not his.

Strike him down Joren. Give in to your anger, take you vengence for what he has done to you and your friends.

Joren hesitates for a moment, then sets Silvak down...leveling his ignited lightsaber at throat hight.

Good, now remove this scum from the galaxy. He must pay for all those he has hurt.

Joren just stands there, looking into Silvak's terrified eyes as the voice continues to assault him.

You have to do it. You have no choice...he will never stop coming for you, or the ones you live until he is dead. It is the only way you can protect them. Strike him down...now.

"No. It's not the Jedi way."

"What are you talking about?" The bewildered Quarren asks as Joren takes the lightsaber away from his throat, and instead lodges it into the transparisteel cell holding Kelsa. Once he shuts down the lightsaber, water begins pouring from the cell, running down the side and onto the floor.

Joren reaches out in the Force, pushing and pulling against the weakened spot in the transparisteel cell, pulling it apart at the hole his lightsaber made when he cut into the side of the cell, until it gives way and Kelsa comes falling out of the side, laying in a heap on the floor.

Furious, Silvak reaches for his blaster and points it at Kelsa. "No, I won't let you get away with what you did-" He never finished his sentence. Before he can fire, Joren ignites his lightsaber, severing his head.

Good, good. It was the only way.

 

[Rain Dog]

"There's just one problem with that. I don't happen to carry focusing crystals on me." I pat Boolon's shoulder. "But we'll get you as far as we can."

I nod.

"Thank you, Mister Skywalker," I say as my mouths curl into smiles.

 

[wiegeabo]

"What's their status?" Zsnij asks as he approaches the comm officer.

"Nothing to report sir. They've stopped hailing us and appear to be in a holding pattern." The comm officer responded.

"Very well. Open a comm channel, let's see what the good Admiral wants."

"Admiral, we're receiving a hail from the Iron Fist. Grand Moff Zsinj wishes to speak with you."

I turn around and glance over at Pellaeon. "He does, Captain? Very well." I turn back to look out the transperisteel across the gulf of space between our groups.

I can feel Pellaeon's confused gaze on the back of my neck. Mentally I practice my counting in Rodian. I turn back around, hands still clasped behind my back, and calmly walk to Pellaeon's station.

I look down at the screen, reading the information scrolling across it. Pellaeon looks at me expecantly, the communications lieutenant nervously keeps all his focus on his station.

"Open the channel, Captain."

 

[wiegeabo]

I nod.

"Thank you, Mister Skywalker," I say as my mouths curl into smiles.

The trip to Jomark is uneventful. A nice peaceful break in what's been a hectic...how long has it been. Days? It feels like weeks, months even.

Boolon may not be the most skilled fighter, but he's an exceptional student. He's taken to his meditations better than any of the other students, and his lightsaber construction is nearly complete. Once we're done on Jomark, we'll have to find some crystals for him.

I step out onto the bridge where Artoo chirps at me.

"Go ahead and drop out of hyperspace then."

He warbles and the starfield shifts back to normal as we reenter standard space-time.

"I'll take it from here, Artoo." I slip behind the pilot's seat and bring up the navigation screens. I adjust our heading, lining up for an atmospheric approach. "That's a lot of water."

Being raised on a desert world, the first time I ever saw an ocean took my breath away. So much water, just sitting there. But to see a planet that's actually mostly ocean? My mind has trouble just grasping the idea.

I pull the Dreams into a high orbit, scanning the world below. There's a large number of islands, small and large scattered on the massive ocean. But it's not until I fly over the other side of the planet that I see Jomark's lone continent.

I open up the intercom. "Boolon, we're here. I'll be taking her into the atmosphere in a minute."

 

[Rain Dog]

I sit in my quarters with the lights off and my eyes tightly shut. And yet, I can still see--I see the electrical energies coursing through the ship, the fluctuating temporal and spatial energies of outside the ship, and eventually the solar energy of the nearest star as we come out of the hyperspace route.

The intercom clicks on.

"Boolon, we're here. I'll be taking her into the atmosphere in a minute."

My mind leaves the trance and my eyes slowly open and my adjust to its new surroundings. I take a deep breath and lift myself from the floor and switch on the lights. The journey to this planet has served as a much needed rest. And as relaxing as it had been, I am eager to set foot on this world and seek out this Jedi Master.

 

[wiegeabo]

My mind leaves the trance and my eyes slowly open and my adjust to its new surroundings. I take a deep breath and lift myself from the floor and switch on the lights. The journey to this planet has served as a much needed rest. And as relaxing as it had been, I am eager to set foot on this world and seek out this Jedi Master.

Artoo whistles as the ship reaches the atmosphere.

"No, I don't know where the spaceport is. Or if there even is one. You're still not getting anything on comms?" He warbles a negative.

"Guess we just do this the old fashioned way." The ship drops below the ionosphere and into bright blue sky over the ocean. I set a course for land and were soon over the beech and heading towards the mountains. The Force guides my actions until I get a sense of where to set down.

"Here." Blerp. "Yes, I'm sure. I just need to find a place to set down."

I skim high over the surface looking for a landing site. I see a couple of towns and roads, but no clearing large enough for the Dreams. So I look higher.

"There." Bleep. "Yeah, that cave. Should be the right size." Blerp, bleep, moan. "I know that you and and forests don't quite get along, so if you've got a better option." Artoo remains silent.

"Then prepare for landing."

 

[Carnage27]

I turn to Han and Chewie, as well as Luke's students Huc and Mission who have remained behind to aid us in our current mission, and ask "So, where to now?"

"I think we should wait for Lando to get here," I nod to the assembled heroes. "We need his ship for whatever we decide to do. The Falcon is too recognizable."

**********

After a few hours of relaxation in the Academy's mess hall, a velvety voice floats down one of the large corridors,"Han? Where are you ya old pirate? This place is huge!" After a few more moments, Lando Calrissian strolls smoothly into the hall, "Well, well, aren't we a sight for sore eyes."

"Good to see ya, pal," Han smiles as he shakes his old friend's hand and Chewie gives him a happy howl.

"Same to you, Chewbacca," he smiles. "So, what's the hair brained scheme we're headed into this time?"

"Actually we're not sure," Han says, nodding to me.

"Nice to meet you, Lando," I shake the man's hand. "I'm Huc Vondar, and this is Mission Ven. We're two of Master Skywalker's students. We've got two possible targets: Grand Moff Zinsj and Thrackan Sal Solo. We haven't decided which target would be more prudent to go after."

"Well, in my exerpience, it's always worth it to gamble on the big fish," the scoundrel smiles a toothy grin. "Taking down a Moff is always a good time."

"I have to agree that Zinsj should be our man," Han replies seriously. "I'd like to give him a piece of my mind for Corellia."

"Councilor Organa?" I turn my attention of Leia, asking her opinion.
​

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"I think we should wait for Lando to get here," I nod to the assembled heroes. "We need his ship for whatever we decide to do. The Falcon is too recognizable."

**********​

After a few hours of relaxation in the Academy's mess hall, a velvety voice floats down one of the large corridors,"Han? Where are you ya old pirate? This place is huge!" After a few more moments, Lando Calrissian strolls smoothly into the hall, "Well, well, aren't we a sight for sore eyes."​

"Good to see ya, pal," Han smiles as he shakes his old friend's hand and Chewie gives him a happy howl.​

"Same to you, Chewbacca," he smiles. "So, what's the hair brained scheme we're headed into this time?"​

"Actually we're not sure," Han says, nodding to me.​

"Nice to meet you, Lando," I shake the man's hand. "I'm Huc Vondar, and this is Mission Ven. We're two of Master Skywalker's students. We've got two possible targets: Grand Moff Zinsj and Thrackan Sal Solo. We haven't decided which target would be more prudent to go after."​

"Well, in my exerpience, it's always worth it to gamble on the big fish," the scoundrel smiles a toothy grin. "Taking down a Moff is always a good time."​

"I have to agree that Zinsj should be our man," Han replies seriously. "I'd like to give him a piece of my mind for Corellia."​

"Councilor Organa?" I turn my attention of Leia, asking her opinion.​

"Yes, I agree. Zsinj is definately the bigger threat. Thracken can be a problem, but right now he's more of an irritant, Zsinj is the real danger."

 

[Carnage27]

"Yes, I agree. Zsinj is definately the bigger threat. Thracken can be a problem, but right now he's more of an irritant, Zsinj is the real danger."

"Then we agree," Mission says. "But how do we go about finding him?"

Han raises his hand defensively, "Don't look at me. I make up my plans as I go. I find having a plan just brings about more opportunities for mistakes to be made, and then blamed on me."

"Yea, and the plans you do make usually get you in trouble anyway," Lando laughs. "You really can't win buddy."

I listen to the others talk as an idea formulates in my mind, "Lando, is that ship registered to you?"

"No, Han told me to bring a smuggling ship, so I brought one," he flashes his trademark smile. "That baby is the one I bought after this pirate schemed me out of the Falcon."

"Hey now I won her fair and square."

"I'm just pulling your leg, ya nerf herder."

"Good," I smile as Chewbacca roars with laughter at Lando and Han's ribbing of each other. "We can use the ship with a fake registery ID, and search the galaxy in peace. Well, relatively speaking."

"But who is the ship going to be registered to?" Mission asks.

I flash her a Corellian smile, "You. We're all going to be Mandalorian mercenaries."

I keep the smile on my face and wait for the group's response.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"Then we agree," Mission says. "But how do we go about finding him?"

Han raises his hand defensively, "Don't look at me. I make up my plans as I go. I find having a plan just brings about more opportunities for mistakes to be made, and then blamed on me."

"Yea, and the plans you do make usually get you in trouble anyway," Lando laughs. "You really can't win buddy."

I listen to the others talk as an idea formulates in my mind, "Lando, is that ship registered to you?"

"No, Han told me to bring a smuggling ship, so I brought one," he flashes his trademark smile. "That baby is the one I bought after this pirate schemed me out of the Falcon."

"Hey now I won her fair and square."

"I'm just pulling your leg, ya nerf herder."

"Good," I smile as Chewbacca roars with laughter at Lando and Han's ribbing of each other. "We can use the ship with a fake registery ID, and search the galaxy in peace. Well, relatively speaking."

"But who is the ship going to be registered to?" Mission asks.

I flash her a Corellian smile, "You. We're all going to be Mandalorian mercenaries."

I keep the smile on my face and wait for the group's response.

As Huc explains his plan, I can't help but to allow a slight smile cross my face. In that moment I am extremely proud of my brother, and I know that he is doing an excellent job in selecting candidates for his academy.

"That's an excellent idea. Zsinj and his forces wouldn't be on the lookout for a group of Mandalorians, and Mission hasn't been with any of us long enough to raise any suspicions. Han, how long do you think it'll take for you to forge a transponder code?"

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Drexlan ignites his jetpack, sending him upward in an backward angle. As he gets some space between himself and the trio, and reaches into his belt and pulls out a concussion grenade, which he activates and hurls at the Jedi and their Mandalorian companion.

As the grenade sails toward them, Joren leaps out of the way, using the Force to propel himself clear of the grenade's blast radius. However, Dono and Deena are unable to get out of harm's way. The Blast catches them as they dive for cover. Dono takes most of the blast, his beskar armor protects him, absorbing the brunt of the impact. Deena, however, is knocked unconscious upon impact.

Joren looks over to his two friends and sees Dono staggering to his feet. Then he looks over to Deena and sees her laying their, sprawled out on the permacrete floor. He expands his Force presence to her, and finds that she is alive. Relieved, he refocuses on the task at hand.

Snap-hiss

He ignites his lightsaber, batting away blaster bolts fired by the black and chrome armored Mandalorian as Dono steps to his side, returning fire.

"I'll take care of Drexlan. You get Kelsa out of there!" Dono yells.

Joren nods in acknowledgement and makes his way toward Kelsa's cell, which is rapidly filling with water...the water now reaching her chin, she has to arch her head backward just to draw a breath.

As he approaches, he sees the the cybernetic monstrocity step before him.

"You know I can't let you do that."

Joren grips Silvak with the Force and is about to toss him aside when he is suddenly beseiged by a voice. Not an outter voice, a voice within his own mind, a voice that is not his.

Strike him down Joren. Give in to your anger, take you vengence for what he has done to you and your friends.

Joren hesitates for a moment, then sets Silvak down...leveling his ignited lightsaber at throat hight.

Good, now remove this scum from the galaxy. He must pay for all those he has hurt.

Joren just stands there, looking into Silvak's terrified eyes as the voice continues to assault him.

You have to do it. You have no choice...he will never stop coming for you, or the ones you live until he is dead. It is the only way you can protect them. Strike him down...now.

"No. It's not the Jedi way."

"What are you talking about?" The bewildered Quarren asks as Joren takes the lightsaber away from his throat, and instead lodges it into the transparisteel cell holding Kelsa. Once he shuts down the lightsaber, water begins pouring from the cell, running down the side and onto the floor.

Joren reaches out in the Force, pushing and pulling against the weakened spot in the transparisteel cell, pulling it apart at the hole his lightsaber made when he cut into the side of the cell, until it gives way and Kelsa comes falling out of the side, laying in a heap on the floor.

Furious, Silvak reaches for his blaster and points it at Kelsa. "No, I won't let you get away with what you did-" He never finished his sentence. Before he can fire, Joren ignites his lightsaber, severing his head.

Good, good. It was the only way.

No sooner does Silvak's head hit the floor, than Drexlan lowers his weapon.

"This wasn't personal. It was just a job. With my employer dead, there's no need to continue this." Drexlan says as he begins to walk towards the sliding doors.

"Doesn't work that way, chakaar." Dono says as he grabs Drexlan by the arm, spinning him him back toward him. As Drexlan comes to a stop he finds himself looking down the barrel of Dono's blaster.

Without a second thought, Dono pulls the trigger.

Joren, still tending to Kelsa looks up to his friend. He motions over to their other companion laying in a heap on the floor.

"Help Deena, it's time we get out of here."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"Admiral, we're receiving a hail from the Iron Fist. Grand Moff Zsinj wishes to speak with you."

I turn around and glance over at Pellaeon. "He does, Captain? Very well." I turn back to look out the transperisteel across the gulf of space between our groups.

I can feel Pellaeon's confused gaze on the back of my neck. Mentally I practice my counting in Rodian. I turn back around, hands still clasped behind my back, and calmly walk to Pellaeon's station.

I look down at the screen, reading the information scrolling across it. Pellaeon looks at me expecantly, the communications lieutenant nervously keeps all his focus on his station.

"Open the channel, Captain."

"Welcome to Dathomir, Admiral. What is it that I owe this pleasure?"

 

[wiegeabo]

I put on a pleasant air when the Moff shows up on screen, preferring to ignore the slight...mostly.

"Greetings, Tarkin. I was hoping to find you here."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

I put on a pleasant air when the Moff shows up on screen, preferring to ignore the slight...mostly.

"Greetings, Tarkin. I was hoping to find you here."

The smugness in the alien's voice irks me, and I have to force down the bile rising in my throat.


"What is it that you want Thrawn. I'm a very busy man. It takes alot to run an Empire, as I'm sure you know."

 

[wiegeabo]

The smugness in the alien's voice irks me, and I have to force down the bile rising in my throat.


"What is it that you want Thrawn. I'm a very busy man. It takes alot to run an Empire, as I'm sure you know."

"Since I am the one running it, I do."

No wonder the Emperor kept ignoring this man. He has much in the way of spirit, less in the way of brains. But the guile is unmistakable. And the Emperor made the classic mistake of not keeping enemies close.

"I believe there is an opportunity we can exploit together against the Rebels. But it is not an issue I feel comfortable discussion over an open channel, no matter how secure. You understand, of course."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"Since I am the one running it, I do."

No wonder the Emperor kept ignoring this man. He has much in the way of spirit, less in the way of brains. But the guile is unmistakable. And the Emperor made the classic mistake of not keeping enemies close.

"I believe there is an opportunity we can exploit together against the Rebels. But it is not an issue I feel comfortable discussion over an open channel, no matter how secure. You understand, of course."

I ignore his insult, for now. There will be time to deal with his insubordination later.

"I see. Send your shuttle, I'll have my crew make preperations for your arrival...Admiral." I say as I switch off the com without awaiting a reply.

 

[wiegeabo]

Artoo whistles as the ship reaches the atmosphere.

"No, I don't know where the spaceport is. Or if there even is one. You're still not getting anything on comms?" He warbles a negative.

"Guess we just do this the old fashioned way." The ship drops below the ionosphere and into bright blue sky over the ocean. I set a course for land and were soon over the beech and heading towards the mountains. The Force guides my actions until I get a sense of where to set down.

"Here." Blerp. "Yes, I'm sure. I just need to find a place to set down."

I skim high over the surface looking for a landing site. I see a couple of towns and roads, but no clearing large enough for the Dreams. So I look higher.

"There." Bleep. "Yeah, that cave. Should be the right size." Blerp, bleep, moan. "I know that you and and forests don't quite get along, so if you've got a better option..." Artoo remains silent.

"Then prepare for landing."

The Dreams sets down for smoother than a ship it's size probably should. It slides right into the cave as if it was it's home docking port.

We meet up with Boolon in the cargo bay and take our first steps out onto this world.

"Can you feel that?" Artoo whistles with confusion, but I can tell Boolon knows what I'm talking about.

"Come on. This way."

 

[Carnage27]

"That's an excellent idea. Zsinj and his forces wouldn't be on the lookout for a group of Mandalorians, and Mission hasn't been with any of us long enough to raise any suspicions. Han, how long do you think it'll take for you to forge a transponder code?"

"I'll have one whipped up by morning," the old Corellian smuggler says with his trademark smile painted across his face. "In the mean time, I think you should start whipping up some disguises. It won't matter how good our cover story or fake IDs are if Leia, Chewie, you, and I walk down a ramp."

"Good idea," I nod. "I'll help Han with the transponder. Mission, help Lando with some Mandalorian disguises. I think everyone else should get some rest."

************

The next morning after countless hours of work, and only a few hours of sleep, Han and I finish installing the transponder codes to Lando's smuggling ship.

"Not bad, kid," he smiles. "We'll make a scoundrel outta you yet."

"I try," I respond slyly.
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