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Darkened Angel Vice Captain
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 Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 8:02 pm
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Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 8:04 pm
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Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 11:57 pm
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Darkened Angel Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:54 am
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"There is only one fate for those who defy Cinn." Spoke the Sith, reigniting his saber. "Had you submitted, I might have spared your city. But in your foolish resistance you have damned it and your nation." With a brutal swipe of his saber, the man's head went flying from his shoulders, the body slumping to the ground.
Sithtroopers promptly arrived, having fought their way into the city, and their commanding officer saluted Darth Cinn.
"Lieutenant." Cinn said, deactivating his lightsaber and gesturing to the soldiers who had defected. "These men have surrendered to us. Take them in to custody. Once we have this city firmly under our control, you may begin sacking it."
"Yes Milord." The Lieutenant said with a salute. The soldier began ordering his men around as Cinn started marching for a nearby landing platform.
"It will only be a matter of hours before this city is sacked and destroyed, another victory for the Emperor." He remarked, clipping his lightsaber to his belt. "Then we can return to the Regellia Station."
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Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 2:18 pm
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Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:15 pm
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Nightwind meanwhile headed back for the bridge. The Twilight was lulling in space, surrounding a recently established beachhead at Karideph. The insectoid Kari had offered little in the way of defense, and though boasting a robust population of over 40 billion, lacked the technology to stand up to them. It hadn't taken much efffort at all, really for the sith to bombard the cities, for the insectoids underground, and erect their own spaceports. Heavily maintained, they were able to take advantage of the planet's vast food reserves, giving the local fleet plenty in the way of fresh food. In fact, the Kari lacked spacefaring technology of any kind, and were fast on the road to eradication, or at least pacification. Of course, they reproduced so fast, keeping their numbers at bay was proving a challenge.
Stepping onto the bridge, Ilia quickly located Captain Phelan. The officer saluted to her, walking over. "My lady?"
"I have need of a ship for a mission," the sith replied. "Covert operation. An Imperial vessel won't due, so I'd prefer a smuggler."
Faced with such an odd request, the captain raised an eyebrow. "A smuggler, my lady? For a covert operation? "
"Did I stutter?" the woman asked, an edge coming to her voice. "I'd prefer to keep details as private as possible. I have needs of a ship that can travel behind Republic lines without raising eyebrows. A sith vessel of any size would draw too much attention. No other can go in my stead, so an Agent won't be necessary either."
Phelan, of course, knew better than to question her again, and so nodded, making a note on his datapad. "Very well. As it so happens, with the invasion in progress, we've seen larger numbers of smugglers out and about, attempting to ferry goods beyond our lines. Prices have gone up, and the common people are worried about their spice." He snorts derisively. "And mercenaries as well are lining up, offering their services. Most of both, have been coming from Hutt Space."
Hutt Space, the huge oversector controlled by the Hutt Cartel, under the leadership of Karraha the unyielding, had officially decided to remain neutral in the war, as they had in every other war since. Ilia personally considered them spineless slugs (which they technically were), but they did have their uses: slaves and soldiers, and they were always willing to be a thorn in the Republic's side. "Why tell me this? The Hutts want nothing of our war, if intel is to be believed."
"The Cartel doesn't, officially," Phelan answered. He smiled cryptically. "However, individual hutts have already reportedly contacted the fleet and expressed a willingness to work... for a price of course. No doubt they fear that the Sith Empire will crush their cartel, just as we'll crush the republic."
"No doubt," Ilia answered, not really interested in why they bothered to offer services. "How do we have this information?"
"One of our own agents, Black Hawk, had a mission there, recently. Classified information, but he did report that the hutts would be willing to negotiate... at least some of them."
"Did he offer nay names?" the sith lady demanded.
"Not to me personally. As I said, it's classified information. I suggest you either ask him, or speak with Imperial Intelligence." He clears his throat. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
Deciding she would track down this agent on board the ship, the woman nods one final time. "Yes. Go ahead and make a posting on Imperial recruitment channels, where we usually request our hired help. Request a smuggler able to ferry a small Imperial team to various planets. Start the payment at 20,000 credits, round trip. Promise any smuggler who comes up safe passage if they choose to negotiate, regardless of past interactions." The money would of course come out of her account, which was no trouble. Ilia earned more from her monthly allowance, not counting the kickbacks she received from the blaster rifle factory she had invested heavily in, under Merr-Sonn Munitions. She kept it as a legitmate business, not tied to sith holdings, simply for use as a revenue intake.
Orders given, Phelan went to the communications officer to see that it was carried out. Meanwhile, Ilia began her search for Black Hawk, starting by checking in with the Intelligence officer on board.
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Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 12:59 pm
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Lieutenant Warren McJump
Location: Minos Cluster - Shesharile system
Personal Location: Bridge of the Indefatigable
Accompanying ships: 2 Wayfarers.
Warren stood at attention, his whiskers upon his face not even trembling one bit, despite the uneasy anxiety in his breast. The stoic face was one of pure absolution, his focus staring into space easily handled. His prized boarding pods had already been prepared; the Gundark was probably as anxious as him to launch. The tip off would make or break something, though the lepi wasn't sure quite what. A sidelong glance to his left as he took a breath was all that was needed.
"Captain," a strange female Cathar began, "I have a fix on an incoming ship, just exiting hyperspace."
Warren turned his full attention to her. Strange in her appearance, few people had figured out what her lineage was to create such an exotic creation. Cathar by onset, the strange hair that grew like a humans from her head and tail was partly indicative of an offset of her genetics. However, only Warren really understood most of the story; she had been a potential candidate for Jedi training at one point, she had said, but ultimately cast out. Still, a Force adept like her had been more or less useful in some nicks of time, with various visions and small contributions on her end. Not afraid of a fight, and only moderately scared of the open ocean, few people made questions after the first day, and most of the crew had come to respect the privacy.
"Good work, what do we got?" Warren said, his impatience now replaced with pure curiousity.
"I detect six escort fighters and a gage-class transport," she responded, calm and collected.
"Just six? Open allied communications channel." Warren asked. A finger pointed out to the entire bridge crew. "Attention all hands! Battle Stations! Get ready to dispense some righteous Republic freedom against the tyranny of some sith-sucking slavers!" The bridge went red, along with most of the crew. Already prepared, the underdecks lit up with energy as main power went to the auxiliaries and red alert went full. Fighters began to deploy to tangle with the screens, as overwhelming firepower went to encircle the freighter with tractor beams and skill. Oh, he could imagine the scenes below the command deck. He gave a small grin, as he turned towards the cathar hybrid.
"Jen'nee, would you ensure that the operation is a success?" She gave a nod as she stood up and darted down below deck. In the time she would spend heading several decks down, the Indefatigablemoved closer and fired off a salvo of boarding pods, digging into the side of the enemy ship as the boarding parties entered with full firepower.... |
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Darkened Angel Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:35 am
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Danika quietly followed her master, hoping this battle would end soon. She saw more than enough death already, and being forced along with the Sith on his rampage was a nightmare she was powerless to stop. She had believed Cinn killed Jian on Thule, and because Jian was likely more capable in a head-on fight, she was fearful of a confrontation. The Sith warrior had easily beaten her once, and the only weapon she could use against him with any hope of success was always kept out of her reach. She had a chance to take it once, perhaps a test to see if she would resist her master and attempt to attack him, but she didn't. She was too scared he would overpower her with little effort, and she would only succeed in getting herself tortured.
She was living in her own Hell. Broken and in despair that increased with each conquest by the Sith, her Jedi training was failing her. She had already let the hopelessness of her situation get to her, despite her desperate attempts to cling to her constantly weakening resolve. The man before her was a warrior, a conqueror, and one far more powerful than she could ever hope to stand against, and now he was toying with her, torturing what remained of her spirit by forcing her to face that fact. He crushed her spirit, and when he wasn't conquering a world, he was conquering her in a moment of passion, leaving her in emotional distress at her own weakness against his relentless assaults.
Shaking her head to get the thoughts out of her mind, she continued to follow closely behind as her master led the way. Every step felt like she was getting ever closer to complete damnation, and the Sith had locked the chains of despair on her, pulling her further along.
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:28 am
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Kira swirled the drink she had ordered around and around. The air in the cantina was stale today. She wanted a drink so badly when she came in here. Now she didn't want the glass at all. Despite sitting here for so long, she had barely taken a sip out of the small container. The last two months had been a whirlwind of a time for her. She wasn't sure what happened. Credits came in, credits went out. Kira was not herself though.
The bartender looked at the nearly empty room he had. Few customers came in this time of day for anything. Kira could tell just as easily he partly was only tending to her to get a bigger tip, but in many ways, he was just also one of those guys that did what they could to be nice to strangers. It was a personality that attracted itself to this business.
"You've been here nearly two hours," he began. "How about you tell me what's on your mind?" For a harch, he didn't seem too bad.
"Spider senses tingling?" Kira asked.
"I work a bar, missy. I know that you're not going to finish that drink. Hundreds of people come to drink to forget. You're too young to be wasting your time trying to fail like that," he said.
"I'm not a failure. I just want it to go away," Kira stated, forcing a sip down her throat with a cough.
"Fake ID or not, here's a tip: People drink to forget, but it only helps you remember," He said, his mandibles clacking with anticipation. "What's the worst that could happen if you come tell your tale to me?"
Kira gave a snort. She looked to the side and leaned back. Focusing her attention back on the large arachnid she crossed her arms. Kira couldn't figure out what to say at first. "Well, about two months ago..."
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A while back...
----
"So, there I was, in the famed and fell Kerry mountains, finally reaching the cave. I stood there, and walked in. Lo and behold, there was like, these tents and crates and everything! Best part? That crazy Captain Ferrel was just sleeping there, sawing logs all day long!"
The Zeltron soaked up all the information. She was nodding her head and everything as she clasped her hands. Kira gave a smirk and continued her story onward with wide hands and emotions to help tell the story further.
"So, I first produced my pistol and then the vibrosaber and shouted, "STAND AND DELIVER, OR THE HELLS THEY WILL TAKE YEH!" Well, the captain was so scared that he fell right out of bed onto his face! Sam helped me tie him up, and drug the crates out to the transport and to my ship. Just for safekeeping, I stunned him and tossed him down the hill. Well, naturally I loaded it up on my ship and began to count. And then you came and the rest you know."
Jer'zi gave a smirk. "Is it all here?"
"Well, I would imagine so," Kira said proudly, sitting up in her lounge and crossed her arms with pride.
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Present Day
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The Harch gave what would amount to an incredulous stare. "You chased down Captain Ferrel? "Feral" Ural Ferrel? That's a crazy notion. You just stomped into the cave, with no more than a blaster and a sword and swindled him? You couldn't have possibly believed he didn't have help or backup. Let me guess, things didn't quite work out that well?"
Kira rolled her eyes. "Let me tell the story. Where was I. Oh yes, I totally suspected Jer'zi to backstab me. After all, swindling almost a hundred thousand credits is rarely done, much less when you're tipped off. So I managed to lie to her in the original part, and stowed a bit of the cash off to the side, and I never sleep without my blaster. Anyways, that night I dreamt of piles and piles of credits. Couldn't get them off my mind..."
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A while back...
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Kira munched on her pillow in her chambers. The ship had been creaking strangely. So into her sleep cycle though, Kira didn't hear the sounds of boots stomping in. Only the click of a blaster set her to bolt up. Her own blaster pistol pointed towards her doorway, only to see the great and mighty Captain Ferrel standing there, with quite a bit of port security.
"That's her," the Captain said. Kira took a breath, holding her hand up. She let the blaster swing around it's trigger guard, and raised her hands. Kira had sensed this wasn't entirely his doing, as his grin widened. "She's the one who stole my cargo."
Kira mumbled his last words with a heavy dose of sarcasm, mocking the captain himself. As one of the security guards came by to pat her down, another reported to his superior officer.
"Sir, we opened up the crates as you said. All we found was gallons upon gallons of water," the young fuzz reported. Kira cocked her head. Ferrel was here for his money. She could figure that out. If all the credits were stolen, though, that left only one person who knew where they went. "No sign of any of the missing cargo."
Ferrel glared, stunned at the security. "I thought I said those crates were not to be disturbed!" he groaned. Kira gave a smile as the guardsman who was feeling her up gripped around her leg. She looked down at him, as he looked up. She gave a smile and a wink at him as his hand slipped across her butt. He gave a small blush as she returned her focus to the discussion at hand. "That is hazardous material which I showed proper authorization for. Opening it was dangerous!"
"But, at least we know that the cargo you accuse this young lady of is not in fact on this ship," the officer leading the investigation announced.
"You can't let her go! She knows exactly where it's at!" Ferrel barked, as the officer in charge held up his hand in an accusing manner. Cocking his head he glared right back with equal ferocity.
"I never said that. The possibility still exists and we'll question her. But we cannot hold her for more than a day. Mister Pau'va, I promised to help you find the cargo, but don't press your luck."
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Present Day
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"Pau'va?" The Herch asked. "He used the name of his first mate? Interesting that they didn't get the connection."
"There are lots of tricks to mask yourself from the authorities. Hairstyles, scars, false implants... a name change is almost the start of things," Kira responded, finishing off the first glass that the bartender had given her.
"No, Pau'va was rather popular in some circles though. Ural had a wanted bounty on his head for the murder of Pau'va though. True, it was in another sector before he came here, but it has been quite a while."
Kira grabbed the glass. She tapped the table twice with it. The spider-like bartender knew this cue to fill her up again. "Listen, all I know is that's the name he used."
"So now we get to the part of the story where you chased down the Zeltron girl, right?"
"Actually, not quite. A couple of days before this incident happened, I had been shot in the back by," Kira started. She paused as she thought of a better word. "Disgrunted drunk. And I met this handsomely devilish man by the name of Lorne Green-"
"That's the officer who died several months ago in that shootout, right?" The arachnoid tender interrupted. Kira narrowed her eyes in annoyance.
"If you don't want me to continue-"
"By all means, your story."
Kira folded her arms. She took a sip of the liquid courage, and a deep breath. "As I was saying, I was brought in for questioning. And would you believe it, but the lead investigator was..."
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A while back...
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"Mr. Green," Kira said. Her tone was one marked with obvious displeasure.
"Now don't be like that Kira. Some people just have bad luck follow them around wherever they go. First you get shot at, and now this man accuses you of stealing his goods. You wouldn't happen to be some outlaw, would you?" the dark haired man said with a chuckle. Kira's face glanced to the side. He held his hands up in defense. "It was a joke to lighten the mood."
"I'm not going to harm anyone, can I please be let out of these cuffs?" Kira asked. She didn't want to raise his suspicions any further. Lorne enthusiastically got up and helped her out. He returned to his seat and sat down.
"Come on Kira, I know you're a good person. Just tell me what you know and we'll be on our way out the door. You're innocent, and I know that this is just some big mixup," Lorne stated, giving a positive smile. Kira couldn't tell him about the heist. She couldn't tell him anything. Well, almost anything.
"Listen, I'm no thief. I heard some Zeltron brag about a nice payday yesterday, she was on her coms with someone. I don't remember much of what she looked like but the name Jer'zi runs in my head for some reason. It might not be much, but she didn't seem like the type who gets a raise wearing that outfit. I could be wrong, but that's the best I can do for you," Kira said. She slid her hands through her hair to form a bun the best she could without a comb or other products. "I'm a total mess... Can't you boys ever let a girl get ready before being brought into one of these things? What if someone got a picture of me while i'm all frizzy?"
Lorne gave a laugh. "Well, I think you're fine," he said casually.
---
Present Day
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"Lorne always was a bit of a flirt. Especially with the off-colored ladies. A bit of a Xenophile, you're right up his alley," the Herch said, resting on his four arms on the bar. Kira was growing tired of these types of interruptions.
"Long story short, I was released later that day. I considered calling up my brother, he's in the army and all, but I needed to find Jer'zi before she spent all my credits. Fortunately, I had a stash already stowed away and had Sam dig it up and put it in the smuggler's compartments while I went to track the daughter of a Huttese drop of snot down. She couldn't get far without everyone knowing it. That's a lot of credits to move, no matter the person."
The Herch lifted whatever amounted to a finger, needing to go tend to some of his guests. Kira sat back to wait for his return, before resuming her story.
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 6:51 pm
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As Theron had the wanted missive posted on recruiting channels, the Lady Nightwind ventured to the medbay. Going to Taris, Ilia knew that simply being armored wasn't enough. They would require medical gear as well, and so Ilia arrived at the medical bay, where she found the chief medical officer, Lieutenant Da'green'bintrano. Doctor Agreenbi was a chiss medical officer, on load from the Chiss Ascendancy. Though most of his kind served as Agents or ace pilots, for the Empire, Agreenbi was an exemplary scientist and biologist, one of the foremost beyond Republic space, if his reputation was to be believed. Some of it was probably a bit farfetched, but the man was brilliant and deserving of his rank.
As for why he was here aboard the Twilight, of all places? While his talents may have been relatively wasted at such a posting, instead of at the Empire's best medical facilities, he also represented one of the two chiss aboard the ship, besides Black Hawk. Stepping into the bay, the white lab-coat wearing doctor turned to Ilia, offering a brisk salute, before speaking in a cool, clipped voice. "Lady Nightwind, you honor me. How can I be of service?"
"I am making a trip to a planet called Taris," she began without pomp. "On that planet are beasts called rakghouls that spread a rather nasty plague. I require medication against it."
If chiss could've paled, he would have. The doctor, however was incapable of such a reaction with his complection. "I am familiar with the disease. You should know, there is no known cure for it. Should you contract the disease..."
"I know this, Lieutenant. I am still going, and need what protection you can offer me, if any exist for the task."
The doctor frowns, going over to a computer. He types something briefly, before digging in a supply cabinet. "Is it just you on the trip? How long will you be going?"
"Myself, the Sith Nova, a droid, and a pilot. As for the trip, there and back, plus a day or two planetside. The total trip should take about a month."
The chiss considers the logistics. "Well, for starters, wearing armor would help. At least durasteel, ten centimeters thick, to protect against scratches and bites. I would also recommend a helment, though I have heard sith are usually not fond of such. Having bacta and emergency medkits should help, especially if applied immediately. Also, because you are sith, your force power may help stave the infection, though there is some research that suggests the disease can infect your kind as well. The droid should be fine, as well as your pilot, if he or she stays in the ship."
Just bacta then? Ilia wasn't sure that would be enough. "And that will protect me while on Taris?"
"I can offer no guarantees," the doctor responded warily. "There have been no known survivors of the disease, and no known cure exists. More, developing a cure is nearly impossible, without tissue samples, and the disease tends to evolve faster than we can develop a reliable cure. The best advice I can offer is don't come in contact with the creatures at all, if it can be helped."
Ilia shared his concern, and knew that he'd be of minimal help to her. Unless she could provide him with some kind of data, she'd just have to cut down any beast that dared face her. "Very well. I will take your advice and what bacta and medkits you can provide. That will be all."
The chiss nods, pulling out a datapad and making an order. "There. As soon as you are ready to prep your ship, whatever vessel you choose to take, there will be a crate of supplies ready to go with you, twice the amount you should need, in the event of an emergency. Remember, to err on the side of caution. Better to apply more bacta than less."
Satisfied, the sith nods, before turning and briskly walking out. She didn't bother to thank the man, before heading to track down Black Hawk and her head of Intelligence.
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Darkened Angel Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 1:39 am
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Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:03 pm
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