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Post by Bobbi on Jul 6, 2005 10:40:27 GMT -5
Murra nodded once to Sheridan, leaning back again in her seat. "Sheridan," she said, looking squarely at the woman, "I will need you to be our voice to the smugglers. If they have any knowledge of you at all, it might work for our advantage. You know how to deal with them, they are your kind of people. I believe putting a Jedi in a position like the one you will fill in would not be good for them at all...and do not worry about protecting myself, or our target." She turned her attention to Anna and Merek, "The protection of our target is what I have you two, plus Kabe and Logan for. I can take care of myself, even in the presense of Leato. We must work on this as a team, though. Anna, Merek, you will be running with Kabe and Logan. I will move with Leato. I need to be as close to him as I can, I would rather have myself in a dire situation with that man while the rest of you escape then be caught as a group together. Keep your senses open, listen to your intuition and the Force. We should be alright as long as we know where the other members of the team are."
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Post by leato on Jul 6, 2005 10:47:24 GMT -5
Life had a grand way of takeing things and twisting them in a direction you had not ment to go. When Leato first arived he was hard pressed and set forth on what he had planed. On the task at hand. Now all he knew was that he couldnt let anything happen to them. He fought this over and over inside his own mind. Wanted no part of it. But still it was the only light to his way. The only clear path he could see. He knew that soon enough the truth would come to the light. And he would answer for his sins. He hoped all was'nt lost when that time came.
Even at his darkest he knew still that the force lead his way. Put him on his path. What ever was to happen was ment to happen. He would not deny anything set before him and would act with out hesitation. But as for now....all he could do was set back and wait.
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Post by Jedi Master Kabraka on Jul 6, 2005 12:28:51 GMT -5
That was when Kabe spoke up in Huttese, speaking mostly to Murra, though his words were for everyone. As he spoke he wove the Force into his words to lend as much comprehension into his words as possible for those that didn't understand the words, and their heavy accent. "Whoah, stop right there. You're a fool if you think I'm letting you out of my sight. Besides, he knows where she is, and if we are to be her protectors we go where he goes. No splitting up. Anybody ever heard of the principle of divide and conquer?"
His amber eyes focused solidly on Murra, knowing she would object, but after what had happened after the battle over Corellia, and then later, almost three months ago on Naboo, he wasn't letting her get away from him that easily.
Marek interjected at that point. "Kabraka, sit down. Master Tekal knows what she's doing, I'd bet. She knows Leato better than you, and at the same time I'm going to need your help you big oaf, especially if a fight breaks out with Leato. She can handle herself. After all she is a Jedi Master" Merek looked at Anna apoligetically. He didn't trust the ... Jedi.. if he could be called that, any farther than he could throw him. Things didn't add up still, despite the revelation of Leiyn being in serious pain, and anguish. He knew that Anna had taken him on as her teacher, and as such while she didn't trust Leato, she did more than the rest, and she would likely stand with him. Merek knew that would be an infinately hard decision, if or when the time came, whether she would stand with Leato, stand by and let things happen, or stand with Merek, and the rest of the group.
Kabe just looked at Merek. He was right, in his own way. He gave the equivalent of a wookiee sigh, then shrugged and sat back down. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. The girl is more important anyway." The silver-tip wookiee looked back at Murra. Flickers of the future and the vision he'd seen while on Bastion floated through his mind. He didn't want that to come to pass... well in a way he did, if it gave him a clear shot at Phobos... but for the most part he didn't want to be in that situation, nor did he want Murra there either, but for now, he would stay silent, and let his Master and friend do as she felt was right.
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Post by Bobbi on Jul 6, 2005 13:30:30 GMT -5
She gave a small sigh, turning to look at the Wookie. "Kabe, against my proposal of splitting up, your reasons make sense. We are more powerful if we move together. But we will also be a lot harder to spot if we split up. Think of it this way, should they find out what we are here for, they will be looking for a large group, not two or three smaller ones moving in tandum. Devide and conqure works both ways, my friend, and we have the advantage with the Force on our side." She turned her eyes to Merek, then to Anna, finding herself looking at Logan, then Sheridan and finally Kabe once more. "If we move as a larger group then we run the bigger risk of being spotted right off the bat. Sheridan will take care of keeping the smugglers busy, guessing at what we are here for." SHe turned her attention to her student, elaborating on what she ment. "Come up with something, Sheridan, make them think that we are just more spice runners...something that will get us in with miminal effort. A cartel if that is believable enough...hell I dont care if you have us posing as runners for Shaon. We just need a nice clear shot to the planets surface, and a good place to land at that." Her attention was turned back to Kabe and the others. "Any more questions?"
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Post by Lissa on Jul 6, 2005 14:06:47 GMT -5
For once... Leiyn's captors had been mercifully neglectful of her. Only once had one of the crimelords and his guards come to pay her a visit. It had been the day before... and she had been grateful there had been no rape. They came to pointlessly interogate her.... What -was- the point? ...To kick her while she was down after she refused to answer questions or respond truthfully. She didn't know. She didn't want to know... It had ended with her on the floor, coughing up blood and having a few broken ribs... Her head had been kicked into the wall and blood splattered her hair...
Her caretaker, the middle aged woman, had stayed with her through every moment of the night it seemed... Helping her to eat, drink, and waking her up at the proper intervals to make sure that Leiyn did not slip into a coma. The woman had been very careful with Leiyn. She had removed the shackles that bound her hands behind her back and bandaged the raw and bloodied flesh of her wrists. She had taken off Leiyn's old clothes and bathed her as best as she could without hurting Leiyn, bandaged the wounds, and provided her with some old, but decent clothes. The woman knew that she'd get in severe trouble for doing such things for their prisoner, but she didn't care. To see the suffering of such a young and pretty woman was more than she was willing to tolerate...
Leiyn drifted in and out of consciousness. She was aware only that she was in pain. Aware of the woman's presence. Aware that she was being taken care of. For that, she was grateful. She didn't know how long it would last... She didn't even register such thoughts. It seemed... there would not be much hope for her at this rate. She expected she would joining her parents soon. Jeryndi... Orin would not be waiting for her. He was still in the world of the living... Dormant, but still alive. So to speak...
After looking at the woman one last time, squeezing her hand with what little strength she had in thanks, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep again... There was no better bliss to her right now than sleep...
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Post by annabell on Jul 7, 2005 0:24:30 GMT -5
anna sat listening to everything that had been said between the others. she had no comments, no questions. she was given her assignement and would do her best to follow through with it. her eyes moved to merek as he looked at her. she nodded her understanding for him not trusting leato, though her face was grim at the thought of a fight breaking out between them and leato, there was understanding in her eyes. as he looked away again, a new thought occured to her. if she had to chose.. who would she stand by? merek and the others? or leato? she hoped she wouldnt have to make that choice, but knew it was a possiblity. she couldnt say at this moment, who she would chose. she felt deep loyalty to both sides and would be extremely torn. if she chose leato, she wasnt sure she could fight merek, and if she chose merek and the others, she would be letting her teacher down. she hoped deeply that it wouldnt come to that. bowing her head, anna sat thinking this over. she was still listening, but in deep contemplation of the possibilities a fight like that would bring into play.
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Post by Bobbi on Jul 7, 2005 8:39:43 GMT -5
Seeing the contemplation that arose to Anna's expression Murra moved toward the younger Jedi and placed a light hand on the woman's shoulder. She knelt, coming eye to eye with Anna where she sat and she spoke softly. "Anna, whatever you choose, what ever happens, you should know that none of us here will hold it against you. You have your ties to Leato, as you have your ties to Merek. Follow the Force, listen to it well and it will not guide you wrongly." She offered a small smile, one that was filled with a warmth she had been keeping from the young woman. "We trust you with our lives, even should you choose to stand by your teacher."
She was interupted by the sound of a breaking com coming through. The voice of her communications officer called her attention away from Anna, "General Tekal, we are approaching Ord Mantel, they are hailing us. Would you like me to path them through to the conference room?"
Murra stood, nodding to the bodiless voice, as she stood she turned to face Sheridan, letting the woman know to start with her duty. "Yes, do please path them through. Keep the line monitored, if you would."
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Post by Sheridan Karrde on Jul 7, 2005 12:48:06 GMT -5
Sheridan listened to all the ideas presented. The idea came, swift and sure. They were all screwed if it didnt work. "Listen up then, here is how it goes. You take orders from me, or Murra, who will be acting as my second in command." She looked to Murra. "Every smuggler knows my name, either to envy it or to try and outpace me. If this is indeed smugglers, then they will give me professional courtesy to get supplies and make our run. My business is my own, no need to drop names other than mine. Try to keep your force senses as unobtrusive as possible. It would be odd for a Smuggler to be walking around with force users galore. Hide your sabers if you have them, carry blasters instead. A common weapon of smuggler trade. The best thing is to keep a blank look upon your face. They read facial expressions well. Be aware of your body language, look intimidating like you are a member of my crew. For this charade, you are." This was nerve wracking, putting her trust in people she did not know and had only really just met.
"Once on the surface, Ill be able to split you into three groups, one will go with me in one direction, to get the things we are pretending to do, done. One will go with the pretense of making our run, the other in the direction Murra points to. Our goal is to get to the woman Leiyn. We would have three times as much a chance at finding her with Three seperate groups. Gods forbid one of our groups gets caught, the other can continue on in their place. Splitting up in this case is necessary, risking Murras life, as hard as it would be to do so, is not acceptable. The group going after Leiyn first will stay with me until we drop into the marketplace. Once there, they split off. The second group will stay in the market place, pretending to shop and will be back up if group one, led by Murra falls. Leato will be with group two. I shall be with Group three. If need be, use these and hide the bodies." She tossed a small pouch to each person. "Sleeping gas spheres. Just roll it in the right direction and within two seconds it should spread out a gas to put anyone to sleep in the vacinity. There is a little blue pill in each bag, take it before you get to the surface. IT will inocculate you against the gas. Do not engage in a fight in public. If you have to, lure them into a dark corner. The less that anyone is aware of our presence the better."
"We will have to have leato board here and then take a transport down. Murra, just in case, have a second transport above the surface in case we need a quick getaway and we cant get to our first option. There is still the issue that this may not be some random smugglers looking to get rich quick or just having a pleasure ride with our target." Again she tossed something in each persons direction. A tiny pin in the shape of a spade, black and barely noticable. "These are communication devices. You only have to touch once to be able to speak to everyone, and touch again to silence it. There is a small sticker in the shape of a circle on the underside fo the pin. Stick it behind your ear, out of sight, that will enable you to hear without it being heard by anyone else. Remember, kill only if necessary, always hide the bodies as best you can. That will give us less chance of being caught. And whatever you do, dont get dead." The message came across for Murra. The show was about to begin. As always happened before a dangerous stunt like this, Sheridans skin prickled with goosebumps and adrenaline started to flow. She had done deceptions like this a thousand times before but never with people she did not trust. "Murra after this call, inform Leato of the plan and have him dock immediately." Then she remained quiet, her eyes getting a far distant look to them.
A crackling voice came over the speaker in the conference room. "This is port authority of Planet Ord Mandell, hailing unknown ship. Please, transmit your identity code and verify captain. State your business, duration of visit."
Sheridan spoke taking the lead as she would normally in such situations. "Port Authority, this is Sheridan Karrde aboard the Ship Veritas on a Spice Run needing to finish said Run and resupply. Myself and a contingent of my crew wish to come down. Code should be coming along now. Duration of visit, less than a few hours with your permission of course."
The crackling voice responded. "Code confirmed, Welcome to Ord Mandell Miss Karrde. How many do you wish to come down and on how many ships."
"Six of my crew plus myself sir, should be just enough to get what is needed done. We will come on one transport pod, no need to land such a large ship and take up hanger space that could be used for other revenue."
"Confirmed Seven including captain for several hours. Please dock at Hanger number six in the Western platform."
As the familiar click of communication came to an end she sighed. "It looks like so far so good. Lets get to the transport."
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Post by Bobbi on Jul 7, 2005 13:16:06 GMT -5
Through Sheridan's speach, Murra had remained silent, agreeing in almost every way with the plan. What had caught her attention was the reluctance to allow Murra into the face of danger. Both Sheridan and Kabe had expressed concern of this type. What was it with everyone concerning themselves with her well being? She was a Jedi Master, had been for years, and beyond her ability to get into trouble she had always come out of it without...or nearly without a scratch on her. She said nothing of the annoyance, though. They were team mates in this, and they were expressing the concern that members of a team should.
As Sheridan continued Murra tucked the bag of smoke bombs away, keeping tabs on wich pouch she had put them in. To follow would be the com unit, becoming tucked behind her ear, beneath her hair. She waited in silence for the briefing to end and once the com station was clear, she spoke up, directing the com officer to patch her through to the Crimson Myst. "Leato, this is Murra, we are going to need you to dock with the Veritas. From here we are going to take a transport down to the surface...no questions this time around, Leato, just be a good boy and do as told." Poking fun at him was not a good thing to do in this situation. But she knew he was feeling the stress of it all, so as it was. What better way to lighten the mood then by mocking him the way he would have mocked her?
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Post by Jedi Master Kabraka on Jul 7, 2005 14:03:11 GMT -5
Anger flared within Kabe, hot and as powerful as the lava of Malachore V. His face betrayed none of it, but to those that were strong in the Force, it would have bowled them over like a charging Bantha. He said nothing even though she was repeating the samn exact rules of engaguement he'd laid down days earlier with Murra, Dark, and the rest. He said nothing, that is until the mention of dead bodies. "Blasters do have a stun setting you know, but we already discussed that a few days ago." He lapsed back into silence, except for the light druming of his clawtips on the crate he sat on, which he let appear to be from nervousness and anticipation, rather than the desire to dishonor himself and use them on her.
He made a quick checklist, knowing that full battle-gear that he'd sported on Obroa-Skai would likely attract more attention than not, so he would have to travel light. Sidearm, bowcaster, lightsaber, and a large vibro-blade. He'd of course take his stun and sonic grenades. Quickly he finished making his checklist for his gear, his mind returning to the events around him, as the flow of his anger ebbed, though he was trying to decide if shooting the Karrde woman in the head might be a good idea.
He'd follow her lead for as long as he had to, though he didn't like most humans, except for Murra. He dis-liked bossy, self-important, and self-appointing humans much less, especially when it came to an affront to his own honor. He'd settle that score later. For now, he had a job to do.
It was at that thought that the bounty hunter within him reared its head. THe job. THe hunt. Time to get serious. As he sat there, he almost seem to sink into the shadows of the dim conference room, leaving only his amber eyes reflecting the light of the room, which almost seemed to glow from the darkness. All he was waiting on now was the go ahead to get his shit, and get the hell off the Veritas. Already, his posture and manner had changed back to what it was, so very long ago on Corellia, when he'd been on his last hunt. Gone were his thoughts of the Force, of the Jedi way. He was putting on the mask and armor of a bounty hunter, of a soldier of fortune who had his orders for retrieval and extraction of his mark.
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Post by Thira on Jul 7, 2005 14:17:13 GMT -5
(This rp takes place before the meeting, and will eventually explain Thira's absence from the meeting...)
ma_thira_usa: ~Thira's red eyes glowed a little brighter as she eyed the man before her. "No, really.. I would have remembered running illegal cargo. The Jaded Lady is a private freighter, -not- a smuggler ship..." She shook her head, sending waves of blue and lighter blue hair swirling about her shoulders. The rolling of her red eyes would be missed, due her lack of pupils. The deck officer was now swearing that he'd heard of that ship, running a blockade in the Atrivis Sector. "Well, rumors are rumors." Thira quipped. "But I'm certain you're mistaken... Now really, I've got my clearence, and I've got some work to do." Thira left the deck officer scratching his head, and walked back up the Lady's entry ramp. Joan's mechanical voice rang through the cargo bay, her tone slightly sarcastic. <c>
ma_thira_usa: ~"I thought lying was against a Jedi's code of ethics.." Joan quipped, ending her statement with her version of a chuckle. Thira shook her head once more, with a sigh. "Can it, Joan." She answered in her own sarcastic tone. "We can't afford having some poor excuse for a nerf herder breathing down our necks..." She chuckled herself. "Besides, that guy was blowing hot air... We ran the blockade in the Lohara Sector." She reminded the computer. Idly, Thira began going through the packed supply crates, double checking the supplies she'd brought in case of an emergency.<e>
wookie_kabraka : Kabe walked out of the meeting sometime later, the Force flowing through him, calm and tranquil, in direct contrast to the intense focus that was flowing through him, much like before Obroa-Skai, but instead of it being paired with pain, it was now paired with nothing but the beat of life itself. He headed back out into the brightly lit corridor, shadinghis eyes for a minute as he headed back to the hangarbay. Instead of going to bay one, he went to bay two, to spot The Jaded Lady sitting there. He reached out gently with the Force, sending a small wave of energy over the ship, mapping its internals, and pointing out Thira like sonar. He smiled and headed to the ship, only to be stopped by the same deck officer that had been harrasing Thira. "Hey! I know you! You're the one with the <c>
wookie_kabraka : General two months ago on Naboo." Kabe looked at him then tilted his head speaking in Huttese. "Yeah, and?" The officer stopped, blinking dead in his tracks not knowing how to respond to that, then he came up with a very stupid question, as there were two lightsabers hanging from the wookiee's belt. "Are you a Je--" he was cut off as the wookiee waved a hand weaving the Force to strongly drive the impression home that the deck officer had misplaced his hat. "Where did I put that?" He looked at the wookiee. "I uh, gotta go, I'm out of uniform, I can't be lolligagging until I find my hat." It of course was on his head, but Kabe kept his laughter in, until he was walking up the entrance ramp to the Jaded Lady
ma_thira_usa: ~Thira turned around as Kabe came walking up the entry way. She grinned, having just heard Joan's recording of the events that had just befallen the wookiee. "Had trouble with that nosey officer too, eh?" She quipped, with a small laugh. "Where did Shaon pick up some of these people?" The chiss shook her head, in mock dismay. She turned back to her box for a moment, pulling the student robes free of the crate, and holding them up before her for Kabe to see. "And you don't really expect me to wear these do you?" Thira was clearly in high spirits, the trip bringing back some her smuggler's spunk. That, and she'd received Dracmus' reply on the holorecorder a little while earlier, though she didn't expect that Kabe knew that, or needed to just yet. She grinned at the wookiee jedi.<e>
wookie_kabraka : Kabe nodded. "He was very.. weak-minded." He leaned against the bulkhead. "Hello, Joan." He greeted the AI, which despite her sometimes semi-annoying quirks he liked. Kabe's eyes strayed to the uniform. "Not really, but something other than a jumpsuit all the time would suit you. At any rate, those robes would likely make you a target." He shrugged. "Besides, I think you're being a little hard on the people here. That guy is obviously new. Ith'li is doing what he can with what he was, and this is more Murra's ship than his, so try to be nice, alright?" He knew nice wasnt exactly in her vocabluary when it came to people she didn't know, but that was part of the pirate way. Kabe looked the Chiss girl over, then turned his head just slightly, eyeing her. He blinked, then tilted his head. <c>
wookie_kabraka : "Be careful. There is a fine line between lust and love, and both can cause problems. Be mindful of your feelings, and how they affect you and your decisions." That was all he had to say for now. He knew that she had feelings for someone. It was on her face, as a slight glow. It was in her body movements. It flowed off her like a sweet incense. He wouldn't lecture. He didn't need to, he felt. Thira was grown up enough to make good decisions, or she wouldnt have lived this long. You didn't run around the galaxy in war-time making bad decisions and expet to live long. Thira was not the type to always have sheer dumb luck on her side either. He walked over to a foot locker and sat down on it, as it was one she wasnt going through at the moment. He glanced toward the cockpit, then back at her.
ma_thira_usa: ~Joan had made one of her usual greetings/sarcastic cracks as Kabe had come aboard.. Something about a walking carpet. Thira knew Kabe well enough to know that He and Joan were on friendly terms, and that such cracks by the computer weren't too insulting, at least she hoped not. "Weak minded.." She echoed. "I was surprised he had a mind after what you pulled on him..." She laughed, tossing the robes back in the crate, and pulling a few small boxed of tools out. These she handed to a nearby drone, which was in Joan's control. The extra tools and spare parts would be going to the storage units on the deck above the hold. "Well, if Murra's in charge, I've got half a mind to report that guy for annoying the crew." She quipped in typical smuggler fashion. "I'll be as nice as I can."<c>
ma_thira_usa: ~She finished. It was Kabe's next comment that froze Thira in her tracks. It wasn't that she'd been hiding anything from Kabe, but she'd planned on speaking with him about it when she was a little more certain of the situation... Thira hadn't expected him to know anything just yet, though she wasn't entirely surprised. Kabe was older than he looked, and had his ways of finding things out, but still... The words stuck in her throat as she slowly turned around, looking for all the world like a child caught red-handed with the cookie jar. Her red eyes glowed faintly in the dimly lit cargo hold. "I was going to talk to you about that when I was a little more sure of how things might develope.." She started. Thira knew that sometimes her feelings got in the way, <c>
ma_thira_usa: ~But she'd learned how to better control them since landing on Dathomir. "My feelings won't cloud my judgement.." She tried to promise. "At least if I can't handle it, I'll know to break things off." Thira wasn't really sure what to say..<e>
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Post by Thira on Jul 7, 2005 14:18:26 GMT -5
wookie_kabraka : He shook his head. "Just don't go too far, too fast, alright? I'm not here to lecture, or anything." He could have for hours on end, but would just talk himself in circles, and he was afraid he'd hurt the younger girl's feelings, which he didn't need wounded pride to contend with on the battlefield. "Just... when the time comes, put all those thoughts asside. I'm going to need you focused down there." He sent a soft and warm smile thorugh the Force to her, along with the warmth of his love for her as friend, mentor, protector, and father. "Might I ask who? I would assume it would be one of the Padawans... someone from Dathomir."
ma_thira_usa: ~Thira seemed to relax a bit.. This was partly due to a jedi technique she'd picked up from one of Caedmon's lessons, and partly due to getting the feelings out in the open, after all this was Kabraka, the closest thing she had to a father. She allowed a smile. "Not too far, not too fast, I promise, Kabe." She said. As for who... Thira's sky blue features tinged with the slightest shade of purple. "Dracmus Esseles..." She wondered immediately why she'd said Drac's full name.. It made her feel like a school girl, something which she'd never had the pleasure of becoming. "He sent me a holo message earlier." She smiled, remembering Drac's first real smile... Or at least the first one she'd witnessed.<e>
wookie_kabraka : At the mention of Dracmus he stiffened slightly. The boy was ... He didn't trust the kid. Too stiff, too rigid. That much discipline would cause a person to snap, or slip into the worst kind of darkness.. the kind of darkness that was brought on by disillusionment. He'd also heard what had happened between Dathomir and Bastion. He didn't like it. "Please.. please be careful, dear." His tone was almost pleading. "Dracmus is headed down a path that if he isn't guided from carefully, he will be lost to us, and worst of all, he wont even be able to see it." At the same time, he knew that Thira might be the key to keeping him from going that direction.
ma_thira_usa: ~Thira had heard various opinions on Dracmus, a lot of the other students weren't too fond of him. This was one of the reasons she'd tried to befriend him in the first place. She'd always felt out of place, and sympathized with Dracmus because of that, though their respective backgrounds were obviously -quite- different... "I know he can be a little too focused on his training at times.." She said, "but I'm not sure I'd go as far as to say he would do anything stupid." Thira was slightly puzzled now, clearly Kabe knew something that she did not... This disturbed her. She'd sensed nothing odd about Dracmus but maybe his habit of being a little over zealous every now and then. The chiss decided to hold her tongue for the moment, she'd be sure to ask Dracmus about it later... <c>
ma_thira_usa: ~"Kabe," she chuckled, trying to lighten the mood some.. "It's me.. When am I not careful?" She quipped, forcing her curiosity out of her mind for the moment.<e>
wookie_kabraka : He brushed asside her comment gently. "I never said he'd do anything stupid. He's trying too hard, too fast. He's not stoping to digest what he's learning. Too much power too fast. He'd say I'm being paranoid. Ask him sometime about Dathomir, about his talks with Master Dev, and his trying too hard. You might be surprised what you learn. At any rate, keep an eye on him." He leaned back against the bulkhead, then pulled up his left leg, letting his right foot rest on the floor, while his left foot rested bottom down against the footlocker. "So, what else have I missed?"
ma_thira_usa: ~The chiss woman grinned as best she could. "That about brings us up to speed, I think.." She said, taking Kabe's advice to heart, but choosing not to speak on it further for the moment. "Unless we have to worry about that deck officer taking me into custody for our little maneuver in the Lohara Sector..." Thira's laugh was cut short by another of Joan's snide remarks... "Yes, the one that almost blew out my hyperdrive motivators. I really do wish you'd have been more careful. After all, I'm not a snubfighter." The computer's version of an offended sigh crackled through the comm. Despite Joan's tempormental behavior, the computer entity was actually rather glad to be off-planet again.<e>
wookie_kabraka : "Do I even wanna know?" he asked, reverting to Shyriiwook. He found speaking Huttese, while possible, was painful at times, and he knew that Thira understood either language well. He looked at her then continued. "We're on course, and it will take us roughly seven days to get --" "Six days, eightteen hours, 23 minutes and thirty two seconds," Joan cut him off. He glared at the overhead panels. "Don't mess with me deary. I know where it tickles." Kabe looked at Thira pointedly.
ma_thira_usa: ~Thira was rather proud of the incident, though she tried to hide it. "You mean you never heard about our managing to get through a blockade in the Agomar system?" She quipped with a grin. "That was on the holonet for a few days, and the only reason they never caught up with us was thanks to the extra ID transponders we have installed." She grinned again, "Well, that and Joan's expert in system hyperspace jumps..." It wasn't a difficult trick, even though it was a little outdated. She'd remembered reading about a few of the remnant's battles with the New Republic, during which Grand Admiral Thrawn had used such tactics... <e>
wookie_kabraka : He shrugged. "Microjumps arent that hard. Anybody with a half decent navicomp, or a calculator can do it. And, I.. really havent had much access to the HoloNet. Been trying to stay Mekhetu free. I'm on a low Mekhetu diet.. even after all the nice grovey little doorprizes I got to meet first hand." He shook his head shuddering in the horror he'd endured as he was quite literally devoured. He'd told Thira about that, back on Dathomir, but he knew it woudl be a long time before he got over that... he only slept when he knew he wouldnt dream.. or if he did, he would be in the Force, not just dreaming.
ma_thira_usa: ~Mekhetu... Thira had only heard things about the program. Not too much, but she'd heard things, and she wanted to keep it that way. Her red eyes glowed softly, glimmering in the hold's dim lighting. That was one of the reasons she'd operated mostly in the neutral sector, and the unknown regions. "Yeah I can imagine.." She said softly, reminded that Kabe had been through some things she hadn't. She figured a change of subject might be in order, since Kabe didn't sound too keen on speaking further on the subject. "Well, I take it you've heard from Murra." Thira said, trying a thin smile. "What's our plan so far?" Thira still wasn't quite sure what exactly they were going to be doing on Ord Mantell, though she imagined it had something to do with smuggling, or some other types<c>
ma_thira_usa: ~That operated above the law...<e>
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Post by Thira on Jul 7, 2005 14:20:02 GMT -5
wookie_kabraka : He straightened up a little bit, and looked over at her. "Our jobs, are a simple infiltration, rescue, and extraction." He mentally sighed, there was no such thing as simple, when dealing with Jedi, or smugglers. "Murra is going to be Leato's shadow. If he pisses, she will be taking notes on distance, tempurature, color, and such so if he tries anything she's ready. Merek Stele, a girl by the name of Anna, Sheridan Karrde, you, and me will be working in tandem as an infiltration and strikeforce, to go in and get our target, then we will exfiltrate, and make our extraction. Should be quick and clean. Murra or I will be working on more precisely locating our target, but until that time its training, and whatever upgrades we can do. We also have our rules of engaguement."
ma_thira_usa: ~The chiss nodded. Her thoughts on the simplicity of such a mission were similar to Kabe's own. Nothing ever turned out to be that simple, and if you thought that, then you just weren't cut out to be a smuggler, or a jedi for that matter... "Do we know which group has our.. target?" She asked, dispising the word target. Several smuggling groups came to mind, but she doubted that most of them would be involved in kidnapping, unless the price was right, but then again, -everyone- had their price... That was just business sense. Thira had been through Ord Mantell once or twice, though she doubted that any of her old contacts would be valuable.<e>
wookie_kabraka : He sighed. "-That- we dont know, though it seems to be an entire syndicate down there. That information Sheridan Karrde is working on finding out." He heard and sensed her displeasure at the use of the word target, but he had fallen into using it from Murra. "By the way, our target's name is Leiyn Dar, the sister to Orin Dar which Leato Kan is cloned from." He trailed off, remembering some of the looks from the conference.
ma_thira_usa: ~Thira nodded. Doubtlessly, there was a syndicate. There always was, but that didn't make it any easier to find things out... Syndicates usually used local smuggling groups, often more than one. She'd also heard of Sheridan Karrde. What smuggler hadn't? She sighed softly, nodding as Kabe told her the name and the relation. Clones could be unstable, though there had been advancements in the field over the last century or so. "Well, clone or no clone, Ord Mantell can be a cruel place.." She said, thinking aloud. "Getting a hold of local groups might be our best bet, since they have no real loyalties and could possibly be paid to give us the info." She paused, red eyes fixing on Kabe. "But if the syndicate has Leiyn, getting her out won't be easy..." <c>
ma_thira_usa: ~She knew she didn't have to tell Kabe that most crime bosses were fond of keeping various 'pets' around for their own enjoyment... "Security will be pretty tight." Thira finished her thought. Things weren't as lax as they once had been, not since the Protectorate had begun developing anti-pirate and anti-smuggler deffenses.<e>
wookie_kabraka : Kabe eyed her. She was still thinking in the old ways, which while it was a bad way to go, he knew.. in this case he figured those options were lost, and while even he had quite a bit of funding... credits only went so far, as together they only had so much. Even still.. what sense, and what profit woudl it make for these smugglers by capturing the youngest and last of the Dars? He didn't know, but the puzzle didnt fit right. "The Vornskr won't hunt." as the expression went.
ma_thira_usa: ~The red eyes widened a bit, as if her mind had been struck by a thought. "I know you haven't hunted in a long time, but how many hunter contacts do you still have?" She asked. The question would of course, clue Kabe in to her idea... It might not have been smugglers that kidnapped Leiyn, if the syndicate wanted a Dar so badly, they'd have put out a bounty. She watched Kabe carefully, his answer would tell her more than a simple yes or now. He knew more about hunting than she did, and if it was a possible scenario, he'd know it...<e>
wookie_kabraka : Kabe gave the Chiss girl a smile, and tilted his head. "The first thing I did, was check for any local, and global bounties on Ord Mantel. Came up empty. Then, I checked with the Hunter's Guild. Came up blank. I checked with the Hutts... blank. So, unless it was a private bounty, then she wasn't captured for that reason." He sighed, then shifted on the footlocker some. It was very quiet in the ship, unusually quiet actually. He looked up at the overhead pannels, wondering if everything was alright with Joan.
ma_thira_usa: ~Thira nodded, and followed Kabe's eyes to the overhead panels... It was rather quiet, and that usually meant Joan was up to something. Thira looked back to Kabe, and raised a blue eyebrow. Kabe knew as well as Thira that the computer was prone to sticking her nose into places it didn't belong. "Joan," She said, giving an override order in case the computer was planning on being secretive. "Define current activity, please." The comm system beeped, accepting the voice print override, and Joan made a slightly offended noise, and answered in her usual tones. "I'm monitoring planetary transmissions." The computer replied flatly. "Private transmissions?" Thira asked, narrowing her red eyes a bit. "Not too private, at least not any more." Joan quipped, before continuing. <c>
ma_thira_usa: ~"It appears Kabraka wasn't the only Wookiee on Bastion." She said, her voice crackling the local comm channel slightly. Thira looked to Kabe questioningly. She figured he would know if some of his people were planetside...<e>
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Post by Thira on Jul 7, 2005 14:22:15 GMT -5
wookie_kabraka : He shrugged. "So? My people aren't exactly uncommon in the spacelanes, Joan. You wanna get to the point?" His tone was slightly irritated, a subtle way of him pointing out that such knowledge didn't really have any significance, nor meaning, unless she proved otherwise. Until that time, it was just an annoyance. Idly he dug a thumb into his side, scratching through his fur, then hooked the same thumb into his belt even though he was slouched against the bulkhead.
ma_thira_usa: ~Joan continued. "True." She answered Kabe, "But, what is unusual is the transmissions mention a squad of wookiee bodyguards, under the command of Ith'i Shaon." The computer pasued, as if to let this information sink in. "From what little information I was able to ferret out, it seems that they are all younger Wookiees, Barely adults. They answer to none but Shaon." Joan finished her statment and awaited further questioning, her programming restricting her conversational module somewhat. Thira's red eyes were slits now. IF this information was true, Shaon had wookiees around, and most likely they'd been bought as slaves... Looking concerned, Thira's gaze turned to Kabe, waiting for his answer.<e>
wookie_kabraka : "Dig deeper... carefully. Cover your tracks. Leave a backdoor if you want. I dont know what kind of AI constructs he has set up. Find out if they were slaves, or what you can. But ultimately, anything you can find would be useful." He looked at Thira, figuring her thoughts mirrored his own, and waited just in case she had anything to add. He knew Joan could be sneaky as hell when she wanted to be, but she was no Mekhetu... He shuddered... thank the Force for that.
ma_thira_usa: ~Thira spoke the command code for releasing Joan's restrictive programming, thinking she could work better if she was free to decided how she wanted to do things. Joan made a noise of compliance, and was silent for a moment or two longer. "Anti-slicer defence is high." She said flatly, "I've rerouted subspace channels, and am recording transmissions with key words that designate: Wookiee(s), Bodyguards, and similar terms." A moment after that, Joan made beeped again, her version of a grin. "I'm inside the security computer, uploading a copy of my program...." A short pause, "Copy complete, resitrctive subroutines in place, contact through subspace established." The computer waited another short moment before speaking again. <c>
ma_thira_usa: ~"I'm bringing up the information on the cockpit monitors for you Kabe." Joan finished. Thira shrugged and motioned for Kabe to follow her up the main ladder to the command deck, as she led him to the cockpit.<e>
wookie_kabraka : Kabe watched her climb the ladder, then coiled his legs and leaped, the power of his muscles alone carrying him most the way there. He caught himself and hauled his body weight up with his hands, and followed her into the cockpit. Within moments he was bringing up the information in the communication's station, using the monitors there, and also the Holotank to display what Joan had found.
ma_thira_usa: ~Thira seated herself in the co-pilot's chair, watching Kabe sift through everything Joan beamed to the Lady. Joan, meanwhile, was using her counterpart to encrypt files she couldn't delete, using the counterpart relationship she'd created to deny access while she was connected. Joan's counterpart in the security terminal beamed the information copies, and then would wipe itself clean after finding it's designated search criteria, before finally deleting itself... "Upload complete." Joan chimed, denoting that the action was finished. "Thanks, Joan, make sure you didn't leave anything behind.." File after file began appearing on the monitors, showing Kabe that the bodyguard training facility had been on Ossel II, and was possibly still there. <c>
ma_thira_usa: ~Also, the information noted that the program had been going on for at least five years, keeping a number of Wookiees on Ossel II, while only a handful of them at a time were stationed with Ith'li on Bastion.<e>
wookie_kabraka : "Ossel II, eh? I remember that stinky, high gravity world. I didn't stay more than a day really. I forget why I was there, other than looking it over with Murra. So, this is Ith'li's private little boot camp, hmm.. Why the hell didn't Murra tell me about the wookiees there? I doubt she didn't know. Then again... we weren't exactly as good of friends then as we are now. I think I was still calling her Master back then." He grinned at the memory, then began idly going through the holocordings. Most of them he went through in high speed, watching some of the training techniques, then he thought he recognized a certain ryk blade. He blinked, then scanned back, but didn't see it this time. Might have been his imagination... He sighed, then kept going. He sat back in his seat some, idly <c>
wookie_kabraka : scanning through the classes, mostly watching Ith'li, as he wondered if he could learn the man's habits, and thus know more about his... enemy? He wouldn't exactly call Ith'li his enemy, but he wouldn't call him a friend either. He stopped the recording... then almost leaped out of his seat to get a closer look, his face smacking into the holotank with an audible impact on the lexan glass. "Ow..." he said as he rubbed his nose.
ma_thira_usa: ~Thira started as Kabe leapt from his chair, red eyes watching her friend and teacher closely... She Kabe wasn't one to overreact. A blue skinned hand came to rest on Kabe's arm as she stood up behind the wookiee. She wanted to ask if he was ok, but if his reaction was any kind of statement, what he'd found would be much more important to him. "What did you find?" She asked, sounding almost nervous...<e>
wookie_kabraka : He leaned back in his seat again, his excitement dying down some. Quickly he outlined a section on the screen. "Joan, magnify by three and enhance." The AI did as she was bidden, bringing the torso, head, and shoulders of a young wookiee into focus. In the color of the hologram, the wookiee also had silver tipped fur similar to Kabe's, and seemed to be a bit shorter than the others that were there. Kabe just sat there in silence, staring at the Holo, and started it slowly rotating. In that moment he became very very homesick. It rolled off of him, and he swallowed, pulling his emotions back under control slowly. He reached out as if to touch the image of one of his own, only to have his fingers pass through the lasers that made up the hologram. He blinked a few times and looked at Thira. "My son... Tarwarr."
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Post by Thira on Jul 7, 2005 14:24:28 GMT -5
ma_thira_usa: ~She watched Kabe closely, feeling his homesickness and his sadness both through the force, and through the emotional bond they seemed to share... Thira placed her hand on Kabe's shoulder, stroking his fur softly, red eyes glued to the holo recording. When Kabe turned to look at her, she stood back for a moment, listening. As he spoke, Thira sank back into her chair, stunned by the news. "Your..son?" She asked, her voice barely over a whisper. An internal conflict began, between her desire to comfort her friend, and convince him that the young wook must have been kidnapped, and the simple shock of learning that Kabe apperantly had a family... The comforter in her won. "Kabe.." She said, still softly. "I doubt he would've joined Ith'li by his choice,<c>
ma_thira_usa: ~I don't think any of them would have.." Thira sat in silence for a moment, before going on to ask her questions... "You've got a family, Kabe... I never knew, where are they now?" She was careful to allow her feelings of concern to echo through her question, as not to cause further pain to her friend...<e>
wookie_kabraka : He nodded quietly, turning back to look on his son. He'd never spoken of his family, the conditions of his leaving hadn't been the best and it had been a long time since he'd seen them. He felt a knot form in his stomach as the images of his other three sons danced before his eyes, and his wife. He sighed. "Last I knew, they were on Kashyyk. I don't know if that is still the truth of the matter, but..." He trailed off. He needed to go to them, to check on them if nothing else. If they were suddenly coming back into focus like this, then he couldn't ignore it. It was a sign, or a warning. There was no such thing as coincidence. He turned back and looked at Thira.
ma_thira_usa: ~Thira had been listening carefully, a desire to help her friend rising in her heart. Kashyyk wasn't too far from Ord Mantell, getting there wouldn't be too difficult... As long as The Jaded Lady still had some tricks in her old hull. She looked at Kabe, red eyes full of care. "I'm not sure if you've heard or not.." She began, "But the protectorate is passing a law soon, that forces citizens to register... After Ord Mantell might be too late." Thira knew Kabe would know what she had in mind, and after all, the jedi had Sheridan Karrde... She wouldn't be missed. It was the first time she'd thought of something completely without selfish intent. Without reguard to her own safety... This was a matter of honor, helping a loved one. It felt right. <c>
ma_thira_usa: ~All the same, Thira waited for Kabe's decision. It was his family, and if he thought her going might endanger them, she would respect that...<e>
wookie_kabraka : He turned back to her. "I know. It didn't take them long to pass the vote on it, only about two and a half months... Murra and I probably helped." The wookiee Jedi sighed with regret. That had been damn foolish, and impulsive.He found his own homesickness, and desire to see the rest of his family almost overwhelming him,and his usually calm, cool, and collected demeanor. He sighed. "I can't go... I wan't to, but I can't. However... this seems to be the will of the Force, that you go in my stead, Rilrkkata." It was the name he'd given her five years ago, and could be translated two ways. By the tone, it meant "Blue child" and was an endearment. "You see, I had a vision while on Bastion. I felt that you came with me to Ord Mantel, but when things got serious, you werent there. You hadn't <c>
wookie_kabraka : abandoned me, or your training or duties, but were elsewhere handling another matter, and thus keeping you safe from my own fate, which is undecided. Now, I know why." He looked at her, naturally slipping back to himself, as the Jedi part of his mind came to the front.
ma_thira_usa: ~The chiss nodded, it seemed to make perfect sense to her. Her tone was serious as she spoke once more... "Kabraka, I pledge myself to bring your wife and sons away from the protectorate, We will wait for you on Dantooine." Thira knew there were things Kabe would need to help with... Such as explaining to her which clan he was a part of, and helping prepare a holo recording of the two of them, for proof that she wasn't a bounty hunter. "I'll need your help," She told him. "But I can be ready to leave within the hour..." Red eyes were the eyes of a daughter, looking to her father in his time of need, prepared to risk herself to save a family she was somehow a part of, but hadn't ever known...<e>
wookie_kabraka : Kabe nodded, listening to her. He turned, then began typing very rapidly into the terminal, the words he formed sprinting across the screen in rows. It was a bit of information on his clan, and what section of Kashyyk his familiy lived on. He printed it out on a flimsiplast sheet, and then passed it over to her. THen he recorded a holo of himself, and passed that over to her as well, putting it into a datacard, instead of a palmsized holopad, so she could replay it from anywhere. He turned back to her, handing her that as well. "There... that should tell you what you need to know." He reached down and plucked a bit of his silver-tipped fur from his arm, and carefully handed that to her as well. "My family will know you have sent me by that if nothing else, if they don't believe you. <c>
wookie_kabraka : Now, I have one more thing to impart, before we go get you cleared for departure and such. And one more thing after that, which you need to be witness to." He stood, then withdrew a lightsaber from a secondary, and secret compartment in his pouch. "Ma'thira'oousa, this I give as a gift, and while it has been slow in coming, I feel you should have it. This, is my first lightsaber, one I recieved on Yavin IV."
ma_thira_usa: ~Thira looked down at the saber, and back up to Kabe... "I can't take this, Kabe, you've given me so much already." She loved Kabe, and knew that he wished to give it to her, but still... "I'll take it on the run, just in case we run into trouble.. But I'm giving this back to you when I see you again." A more determined look came drifting into her red eyes. "I better see you again, Kabraka..." She said sternly as she could. There was a hint of worry running through her, and she'd felt the traces of a trap.<e>
wookie_kabraka : "Oh you will, no doubt there," the wookiee replied, then took her hand and placed the saber there. "I gave this to you, specifically for this run. You need a real blade." He smiled, knowing she could handle herself without it, but, it was the weapon of a Jedi. "You may return it or keep it was you wish, but at least for this journey I wish for you to have it. Think of it as a gift form father to daughter." Kabe smiled again, knowign that would work on her like a virus, and would probably wind up convincing her to keep it, if only for a keepsake.
ma_thira_usa: ~"I mostly wanted a reason to expect you back in one piece.." She said, trying to smile as she went to hug the Wookiee. "We'll decided later, and that's the whole point." Thira let go, and brushed her jump suit off. Then she accepted the Saber, looking it over just once before clipping it onto her belt. She kept the staff, holstered in it's place as well. "No worry about being armed.." She quipped, grinning at Kabe.<e>
wookie_kabraka : He returned the hug, remembering to ration his wookiee strength, and patted her affectionately on the back. "Alright, time to go." He turned and headed out of the cockpit reaching out with the Force to Murra who was not more than a couple of minutes away. As he neared the ladder to the cargo bay he hopped down the hole, his feet ringing on the metal below as he landed with a thump, then impact rolling through his body without harm. He turned an looked back up at her. "C'mon, let's go get you some clearance, and get that other thing taken care of."
ma_thira_usa: ~Thira nodded, moving to follow Kabe out of the cockpit, and laughed as he jumped down the ladder well. She herself returned to one of her childhood tricks, sliding down the ladder with the sides of her feet, while holding on with her hands, not so differently from a fireman sliding down a pole. "Right behind you, Kabe." She said.<e>
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