EPILOGUE: Aftermath

[Telcontar]

The one armed man waved his good arm at the sniper and approached.

"Taking down the facility at this time is beyond our resources. The ship is badly in need of repair and I doubt we could convince our companions to disenbark and head back through this jungle again. With the Dark Jedi dead I am sure the Hutt's will be back in te Death Stick bussiness in no time, that at least is a Devil that i know."

"What are your plans?"

[GandalfOfBorg]

BIT mulled it over.  "It is something that should be discussed.  Since my previous companions saw fit to leave me behind to save their own hides, I owe them a 'bit' of payback myself," the sniper said with wolfish grin.  "Yet I was hired to do a job and it doesn't feel right to leave it undone.  If I can't persuade the others to help finish the job for a share of the profit that was due, then I would request a lift back to my employers to see what they wish to have done next with this new intelligence."

[tomcat]

It was Ardana that noticed the comlink signal. After tending to Kaida, cleaning her and dressing her wounds, the Twi'lek had returned to the bridge's communication center and waited. The transponder signal given off by his comm began to flash as soon as Farok had exited the underground. Ardana hit the innership communicator and spoke in her accented tongue, "Captain Caden, Farok's signal has appearred. I believe he is safely away from any pursuers.

[sdrotar]

"Then let's go get him back," he said with a grin, happy to hear that the churlish-but-talented Jedi was all right.
When he had the chance, he sent a scrambled missive to Antturrus, saying simply, "it's done."
He thought about pressing to the man for further confirmation that their names had been cleared, but decide it didn't make sense -- Antturrus had them over a barrel; either he'd follow his word or he wouldn't; nothing Caden would say would change that.

[tomcat]

Since the Aegis had made it out of the atmosphere and orbited while waiting for Farok, Sam had spent the better portion of the time on the ship's lower deck. The droid worked to resecure the coolant lines and other important systems that kept both the hyperdrive and sub-light systems operational. There was plenty to do - including assessing the ship's structural integrity, but since they were all still alive in the vacuum of space, it was safe to say that he could put that last on his list.

The ship's scrubber system worked to draw the noxious fumes out of the air in the lower hold and with the last twist of his spanner-wrench, it would have a much easier time. Sam extracted a data connection line from his torso and connected it to a port that gave him link to the Aegis' computer. He felt his awareness merge with that of the ship and he read through the information on the internal diagnostic.

Code Select Expand

Shields - 78% integrity
Sensors - 83% integrity, lg-rnge 77%, sht-rnge 89%
Life support - 92%
Weapons - 100%
Sub-light - 55%
Hyperdrive - 67%
Ship structure - 65%

Sam placed the information in a priority sorted list and disconnected. He grabbed his spanner and his mech kit and began to move on to the next task. He then heard Caden's voice come through the ship's intercom, "Everyone prep for re-entry... we're going to pick up Farok."

On the flight deck, Caden slowed the ship and the planet's gravity did the rest. The Aegis superheated as it entered the thicker atmosphere of Malastare and it also bled speed rapidly. The time always seemed to stretch when you were in the re-entry blackout, but soon the sky appeared through the canopy and the ship was able to maneuver. Caden took her down fast and flew low over the jungle tree tops. He used the familiar terrain as his map, following the river valley in to where he knew Farok would have emerged from the cave.

Atop the bunker, BIT and Farok first heard and then saw the Aegis as it soared over the falls. The ship came to a position where the cliff jutted out over the river below and Caden lowered the landing ramp. Farok heard a terrible whining in the repulsors that kept the ship hovering in place. It didn't sound good and the man knew it had to be a result of the missile impacts. He also had gotten a look at the ship's hull and the blackened scorch marks spoke to the fact that it must not have been fun on board the ship at the time.

BIT and Farok clambored up the ramp and entered the lower hold. Sam still working on the ship's systems gave a wave but any words were muted over the sounds of the labored engines. The two men left him to his work and climbed to the ship's main deck. It seemed quieter to Farok - more empty. After all, they had lost two of their crew in the jungle below. He looked and saw that Kaida and Ardana were in the ship's galley and he assumed Kara and Caden were up front. That was it. There were no others to cramp the space. He gestured to BIT to follow him and led him to the galley for food, drink, and rest.

Caden got the signal that not just Farok was aboard, but the sniper had come, too. With that he closed the ramp and took the ship back up and out of Malastare's atmosphere and soon out of the planet's solar system.

[tomcat]

I am debating a few potential story arcs to introduce, but I also want the PC's to interact and maybe decide what is next for them. So, let's see some RP'ing dialogue from everyone.

I will post up another narrative cut-scene in a while, but I will not be introducing the next episode until I see what the character's have in mind for themselves.

[sdrotar]

It was quiet on the ship. They had rid the galaxy of a villain -- one that had claimed the lives of many of Caden's friends -- but there was no celebrating.
He hoped for a signal from Antturrus soon and checked his board regularly; he wanted his old life back, but failing that, he'd rather not be actively hunted at the very least.

They needed to disappear for a while; lay low and repair the ship. Then he'd seek out Organa, Kenobi or both.

When he had the chance, he spoke to Sam. "I guarantee you that Fett is tracking this ship somehow -- he may still come after Kaida or any of us one day. Scour the ship; and even when you find something, don't assume you got everything. Let's take our time and get this done right. I want to fly free for a change."

[Jingo]

Kaida felt better physically after Ardanna had tended to her wounds. She had spoken quietly to the twi'lek of the battle, relating the events of those harrowing moments. It felt good to talk to someone. She had cleaned up and finally changed her clothes and tried to even get some sleep. But she found that wiping the physical stains of battle away was much easier than wiping the memory of that blood-red blade flashing through Brim's body.

She sighed and sat up on her cot. Her mind had the unfortunate habit of replaying the last moments of her friends' lives. Sleep wasn't going to come easily. The adrenaline rush of battle had fled, leaving an emptiness inside of her that wasn't easily filled. That worried her.

She clambered out of bed, dressed, and made her way down the galley to the lounge. She brewed a cup of ca and considered what they had accomplished.

They had killed a dark jedi. How many others had this dark jedi slain in his infamous career? She felt a small feeling of satisfaction that mingled with the emptiness at her friends' deaths. Were the aftermaths of battles always like this?

Her's certainly were, but what did she know? Three battles was hardly a large enough repertoire. Perhaps her father would have been able to tell her. Or Delmon. Delmon. She smiled again, picturing her oldest brother's masculine face. Prince Delmon, 15 years her senior, had always been something of a hero to her. She sipped and re-lived some of her favorite memories with him. Memories. A slow sad smile played across her face as she sipped and thought. They were pleasant memories. Piloting speeders with him. Hiking and playing hide and seek. And even riding on his shoulders. But memories didn't bring back the dead. The familiar pang of sorrow thudded painfully in her heart again, but she shook it away. She would honor their deaths by the way she lived. She would be strong and make the family name of Katan proud.

Their victory over this Shade character was a small thing, perhaps, when compared against the larger pall cast by the Empire's monolithic presence, but still, it was at least one small victory.

Now the important thing was the future and her family.

The future. She went in search of the others.

[GandalfOfBorg]

BIT went to find Caden.  Upon finding the captain, he attempted to prevail upon to consider his proposal.  "Thank you for your assistance in providing me a means to leave that planet but I have also left a job unfinished.  I was sent to decommission that plant and though ridding the galaxy of that dark marauder was useful, it wasn't what I was hired to do.  I would now ask to either return to the planet and finish the job, ensuring you a cut of the profits of the mission or take me back to my employers so I might seek their advice as to what to do next based upon the intelligence gathered."

[sdrotar]

BIT went to find Caden.  Upon finding the captain, he attempted to prevail upon to consider his proposal.  "Thank you for your assistance in providing me a means to leave that planet but I have also left a job unfinished.  I was sent to decommission that plant and though ridding the galaxy of that dark marauder was useful, it wasn't what I was hired to do.  I would now ask to either return to the planet and finish the job, ensuring you a cut of the profits of the mission or take me back to my employers so I might seek their advice as to what to do next based upon the intelligence gathered."

"There are a whole lot of Dugs in that plant," Caden replied. "How'd you intend on shutting them down without having to take 'em all on?"
Caden thought about it more than he wished to; he was no soldier, and profiteering wasn't his preferred manner of business... but those death sticks were a scourge that the galaxy wouldn't miss. And they needed the money. He figured that the man was worth listening to, at least.

[GandalfOfBorg]

"I have the info from my briefing still ( logical yes?) and it isn't far off from what you would've done anyway getting to your friend if he hadn't shown himself outside.  Small team infiltrates the plant, set charges in key areas, and bam! easy-peasy Hutt's are sleezy.  We didn't finish the job because my team were a bunch of undisciplined slime who couldn't deal with those beasts and I got locked up for my troubles because they beat a retreat, tails between their legs," the clone sniper growled.

[sdrotar]

"I have the info from my briefing still ( logical yes?) and it isn't far off from what you would've done anyway getting to your friend if he hadn't shown himself outside.  Small team infiltrates the plant, set charges in key areas, and bam! easy-peasy Hutt's are sleezy.  We didn't finish the job because my team were a bunch of undisciplined slime who couldn't deal with those beasts and I got locked up for my troubles because they beat a retreat, tails between their legs," the clone sniper growled.

Caden shook his head. He didn't want to go back into battle, and he doubted anyone else on board did, either. The only person that enjoyed it was Logar'Dan... "and look what happened to him," he thought.
"We lost two men already; I don't know if we're up to something like this."

But the merchant (and, admittedly, occasional smuggler) inside got the best of him for a moment.
"How much?"

[tomcat]

Kaida came out of her introspection and moved from her seat in the galley. Leaving the room she practically ran right into Kara - the mech coming in for some caf of her own. After they had picked up Farok and BIT, Caden had ordered the ship back up and out of Malastare's atmosphere. They took the ship to the planet's second moon where they took a geosynchronous position on its far side from Malastare and then Caden had the vessel powered down. The merchant wanted to do a thorough evaluation of his 'princess' and too give time to Sam and Kara for repairs.

Kara had taken care of her captain's wishes and then left the flight deck behind where Caden and BIT had engaged in a discussion. Now she was apologizing to Kaida for nearly knocking her down, "You all right? I know that it was a hard time down there. We lost two on this one! Seems no sooner do we get to know someone, and even like them, and they are gone." Kaida only nodded and Kara moved around her to fill one of the small ceramic mugs with the hot brew. She took a sip and it warmed her core. The ship was already starting to take on a chill with her systems powered down - the freezing vaccuum outside leeching in. The mech's then took on a look of remembering, "Oh yea... I meant to tell you when you got back on board. There is a message for you on one of those forums you've been posting discreet stuff on. Seems somebody answered." Kaida's own face took on a new look. Kara continued, "Yea... someone named Jalek? And an account with 25,000 credits? I don't know. You'll find it in the cue on the 'net."

With the warm mug in hand, Kara went to the port side ladder and climbed down leaving Kaida in a bit of wonder. Once down on the lower deck, Kara walkd to the droid, "So, what have we got going on, Sam?" Sam turned to Kara not understanding the inquiry. She was a mechanic. She knew what he was working on. Why would she not know what was going on? It took seconds for the internal confusion to work itself out within the droid's processor and then he knew that her question was rhetorical. He imprinted the mannerism and said, "Just piecing this krellin' sub-light drive back together." Kara paused at Sam's use of the profanity and then smiled, "Well let me see if I can help."

A deck above, Kaida quickly moved to the communications bay and brought up the Holonet. She scanned her ads and posts on public bulletin boards that she had written with hidden messages within to try and find someone from her family. Kara had said the Jalek had responded?! Her second oldest brother had served in Commoner's intelligence division for their father - of course he would be the one to have seen and deciphered her cryptic posts.

She found the response to her own message - it was vague and innocuous. In fact, it was written in error to the wrong person, but it had a request for private message response. A second message quickly followed that one wondering why there had been no answer. To this inquiry was a contact link. When Kaida clicked it, she was immediately awarded with a holomessage to her, though it did not mention her by name. She read the details and knew it was from her brother, whom was mentioned by name only. The last line revealed an account number along with a five digit password and a balance.

[tomcat]

Jareen Antturus sat in his quiet office on the eightyth floor of the Saris Tower in downtown Saliss D'aar. It was still new to him and the reception staff outside as he had only acquired it within the last Bakuran planetary month. The productivity reports that covered his desk were showing a great deal of promise. The hidden namana farms were doing better than could be expected. The volume would soon allow him to move the plants off planet to other worlds with similar ecological systems.

A shapely woman wearing business attire that fitted her form well entered his office and placed a note on his desk. "This just came through our comm-net, Mr. Antturus." She gave a coy smile to which Jareen returned. He picked up the message and read it to himself - "It is done." He crumpled the note in his hand, "Thank you, Silveea."

His assistant turned to leave and Jareen turned to look out over the city. The Bando Gora were leaderless once more. He actually was surprised. The message came from Caden Whitesun, too - not Fett, whom he had expected it from. The ragtag group of nobodys did it. Well, it was what he had asked them to do.

All potential connections to the drugs had been removed - even Varta the Hutt would be meeting an ill fate soon. The senator, Seelig, had been the perfect pawn to get the operation going. Duping the Hutt with information and making it a project of the clans had been a breeze. Even having the Rodian, Puk, whom had no allegiance to the Black Sun make his brand on the dead man's forehead had been no challenge. All it had taken was a few words spoken in certain circles by low lifes of his type. It had caused Varta to pull back and circle the wagons, so to speak. The Kajadics had no desire for a turf war with the Sun, as did the Sun with the Kajadics - and so the Hutt needed to make sure that she had not offended the vigos.

The only misstep had been not knowing that the Bando Gora would once more enter the fray. Then to have his own agent take up the mantle of their leader. "Oh well," thought Jareen. That fool was gone now, too. So, the Black Sun had acquired all of Seelig's hidden namana fields to cultivate and make sure that the pure product was brought to the streets of the galaxy - from Coruscant to Corellia. It had been child's play manipulating all the strings. The young vigo smiled to himself. He tapped his intercom, "Silveea, can you do me two favors?"

"Yes, sir."

"One... contact our man in the Imperial Security Bureau and see if his people have taken care of removing Captain Whitesun and his companions from the legal system. And two, put Captain Whitesun and his ship registration in your files for future contact."

"Of course, Mr. Antturus."

"Silveea... sorry, one last thing. Send a reply back to Captain Whitesun. Tell him... we'll be in touch."

Jareen released the comm and returned his gaze to the reports. Yes - he would soon rival the deathstick and spice markets across the Galaxy. The new drug he controlled would raise him up above the other vigos within the Sun, until he ran it all.

[Jingo]

Kaida sat back in her chair and smiled. Jalek was a alive. That as something. He had always been cunning, and apparently had managed to escape from under the Empire's nose when they attacked her planet. She had an ally now and the funds to begin something. Small funds true, but every little bit could help.

She quickly memorized the account number and then tapped out the code to delete all vestiges of the message. Then she logged onto a completely different forum and with a different username, and created another message this was was salubrious and fawning to the Empire, but she was confident brother would see the coded message within. The code was unique to their own family. Once decoded, he would understand that she had received the funds and where their sister was held, if he didn't already know, and that Kaida was considering a rescue.

She powered off the computer and leaned back in the chair in thought.

I edited this, removing the part where she walks in on Caden and BIT--since Farok came upon her first (see his post).