Sam maneuvered around the two jedi - both dark and light - keeping his blaster trained on the one in the black hood. The hole into the hangar bay was not far away, and he need only turn and go, but something held him back. This was an ally. A friend. Sam pondered the thoughts that were racing through his circuitry. It was not feelings that he was experiencing, but what could it be that made him want to stay. To not abandon a friend in need. Again the droid wondered at his own processor and the new things that he was experiencing.
It was Ulric that spoke, "GO NOW! YOU ALL MUST GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!" And then in each of their minds he spoke, "Otherwise the meeting with Organa was in vain. Quickly! Stormtroopers are coming!"
Sam continued to watch the melee as saber sparked against saber - the green of Ulric's blade flaring as it parried the crimson darksider's. Shade lifted his lightsaber in a two-handed grip and and brought it down hard, slashing at Ulric's defense. The man was caught off guard and went to a knee, his own lightsaber poised over his head in defense as Shade hacked and hacked at him. On the third slam from the dark-sider, Ulric spun his body, his leg kicking out and he tripped Shade. The evil jedi fell on his back hard and Ulric quickly stood up to gain the advantage, but fate was against him. As he stood and moved forward, Shade, lying on his back, twisted his body and held his lightsaber before him with both hands - like a spear seated to receive a charge. The crimson blade entered Ulric's torso just above the right leg, exiting through his backside. Sam watched from his distant position and knew the man had taken a grievous, if not fatal blow. The droid's processor diagnosed the human anatomy to conclude that Ulric's liver, and most likely his kidney, was destroyed.
Ulric stared in horror at the lightsaber stuck in his gut. Reacting with seeming involuntary reflex, he stretched out his hand and unleashed a blast of Force energy. Shade was struck and flung backwards into the smoke and debris of the ruined street. The jedi straightened while deactivating Shade's lightsaber that was still in him. Sam ran forward to catch him as he fell to his knees. Ulric looked at the droid, and with hesitant breaths and a pained expression set his deactivated lightsaber in Sam's hand.
"Take it..." he said, his words coming in hissed agony. "Give it to the Rodian in your party... he too is sensitive to the Force. He must survive... there are too few of us left. Tell him... it is the blade of my master... Korif..."
To Sam's right, Shade's fallen lightsaber quivered where it lay and then flew into the smokey haze. The droid heard the snap-hiss and saw it now glowing within.
"GO! Quickly..." said Ulric, his breath now coming in short gasps.
In the hangar, the rest of the companions were now gathered and watching as Kara slowly lowered the Aegis down so that the open landing ramp could easily be mounted. Britton still stood ready, his blaster poised to fire at any that might come through the hole unless it were Sam or Ulric.
Caden was holding his arm across his chest. There was tremendous pain where he had hit the speeder's front seat when it slammed into the wall. He hoped that there were no broken ribs. His ship was a beautiful sight to see and he wanted to get everyone aboard so that once more they could run from danger. He gestured for those before him to climb on board when he noticed the stranger that now stood amongst their group. The man had assisted them with blaster fire when Sallo had appeared... but now what?
:ooc: for all intents and purposes, the battle is over. Sam may continue the conflict with Shade if he wishes - or you all can, I should say. Sallo is pretty much down and out. Kaida's parting shot was a hit with some good damage, but he is not dead. Fett is gone, or is he? ;)
If you all want to finish this, let me know via dialogue in this thread and I will start a new series of rounds. Remember though, the stormtroopers garrisoned here are finally getting through the caved in ceilings that Hacks had caused.
Logar'Dan put on his best smile and holstered his heavy blaster pistol. "Stray rockets make strange bedfellows. Im called Logar, and id like a ride off this rock before the empires lackies show in force. I can help with your wounds on board, so whaddaya say, can i catch a lift?" He shifted the heavy duffel off his back and surveyed the party, making eye contact with each.
The thrill of battle ran easily through Sam's circuits. He was heavily modified from the original B2 models, but that programming and those conduits were easy to fall back to. The nanoseconds ticked away as Sam considered the possibilities. Could he finish off those who were pursuing them? Could this be a chance to be free of threats for awhile? No, the Aegis was waiting. He could not draw this out. Keeping to cover, Sam moved to the hanger door and on to the Aegis...The better part of valour is discretion; in the which better part I have saved my life.
"Get on, get on, get on, get on, get on, get on, get on, get on, get on, get on, get on..." Kara kept muttering under her breath, some of the habits of a junkie were hard to break and her leg was bouncing rapidly as she waited for the signal that everyone was on board so that she could floor it and get the hell of of the station.
Quote from: Callowmoryne on Jan 19, 2011, 03:01 PM
Logar'Dan put on his best smile and holstered his heavy blaster pistol. "Stray rockets make strange bedfellows. Im called Logar, and id like a ride off this rock before the empires lackies show in force. I can help with your wounds on board, so whaddaya say, can i catch a lift?" He shifted the heavy duffel off his back and surveyed the party, making eye contact with each.
"Right," Kaida rolled her eyes at the delay as she tried to cover the hole in the door behind him with her pistol, trying not to wave it in the newcomer's face. "So, look, uhh, you know, the imps are out there, and we're terribly anxious to leave, so..." and she grabbed him by the elbow and hustled him up the ramp, "...lets get a move on, if you please, and you can discuss payment and everything else once we're space-borne. I'm sure Caden would LOVE to have another passenger." She smiled at Caden sweetly. They'd have to sort it all out later. The stormies were surely getting closer.
Once everyone was on the ramp, she took one last look into the hangar and then hit the button to raise the ramp, giving the go-ahead to Kara.
"Kaida, are you alright?" Britton asked once aboard the ship. The crash had been incredible (in a bad sorta way) and he was really concerned. "Who's this guy?" Britton glowered at Logar
Quote from: ZehnWaters on Jan 19, 2011, 06:54 PM
"Kaida, are you alright?" Britton asked once aboard the ship. The crash had been incredible (in a bad sorta way) and he was really concerned. "Who's this guy?" Britton glowered at Logar
Kaida sighed wearily, and fingered a few tears in the fabric of her short cape and winced as she touched a bruise on her cheekbone. "I'm fine. Glad to see you bade it out of that alright."
She turned to Logar'Dan. "This gentlemen?" She shook her head. It had all happened too quickly, blaster fire, exploding rockets, and she wasn't sure who he was or what his role was in all of this. She looked at the newcomer. "Well, who are you? And can you handle a gun turret?" She asked, as she walked quickly toward one of the turrets... just in case.
She was anxious about pursuing Imperials. But hopefully there was enough confusion and traffic fleeing the station that they'd be able to sleep away unnoticed.
Quote from: Jingo on Jan 19, 2011, 06:47 PM
Quote from: Callowmoryne on Jan 19, 2011, 03:01 PM
Logar'Dan put on his best smile and holstered his heavy blaster pistol. "Stray rockets make strange bedfellows. Im called Logar, and id like a ride off this rock before the empires lackies show in force. I can help with your wounds on board, so whaddaya say, can i catch a lift?" He shifted the heavy duffel off his back and surveyed the party, making eye contact with each.
"Right," Kaida rolled her eyes at the delay as she tried to cover the hole in the door behind him with her pistol, trying not to wave it in the newcomer's face. "So, look, uhh, you know, the imps are out there, and we're terribly anxious to leave, so..." and she grabbed him by the elbow and hustled him up the ramp, "...lets get a move on, if you please, and you can discuss payment and everything else once we're space-borne. I'm sure Caden would LOVE to have another passenger." She smiled at Caden sweetly.
Putting his arms to his side in an exasperated expression, Caden stared blankly as yet another free-loader tromped on board his ship.
It was official - the Aegis had turned into a galaxy-hopping hostel.
As Sam finally came up the ramp, Caden thumped him on what would be the droid's shoulder, resulting in a oddly-comforting clanking sound. He was happy to see him in one piece. At least
something was constant.
That, and he was high-tailing it out of yet another port.
What else was new?"Buckle up," he called to no one in particular, as he jogged toward the cockpit.
What an interesting group Logar thought as he unlimbered his duffel and backpack. "No need for the theatrics people. I think you'll find me usefull in any number of ways" He smiled at each in turn, remembering to wink knowingly when his eyes met Kaidas, and moved toward a turret himself.
:ooc:Ok not sure what skills are required to fire a turret so lol hes either gonna emberrass the shit out of himself or prove his worth if hes forced to use it, but if he cant fire one, hes not gonna come right out and say so, you know what i meen
"CAN WE LEAVE YET?" Kara yelled, her leg was bouncing at a hundred lightyears a second and she wanted off of this station, her interaction with the bounty hunter was not going to be something such took lightly. She also wondered what had happened to her, she took up with this new crew not too long ago and her life went from scoring jobs and scoring drugs, to being a freighter pilot constantly running from trouble, the law, and sometimes both.
Quote from: watanabe on Jan 20, 2011, 06:34 AM
"CAN WE LEAVE YET?" Kara yelled...
Caden had seen Sam carrying a lightsaber - Ulric's, he surmised.
Realizing the Jedi had fallen in battle protecting them all, Caden's resolve had firmed a bit since first meeting with Senator Organa. They had a job to do.
"We're going," he said icily as he reached the cockpit. "We drop off the cargo in our hold - the destination's in the navicomp - get paid, and then..."
He paused. Explaining what came next to Kara - and deciding whether she should play a part in it - was going to be difficult.
"I'll explain everything on the way. Let's get the hell out of here."
Kara nodded, waiting for the Captain to sit down and buckle in. She didn't give any warning, and accelerated the ship to exit the space station.
"Good to have you back Captain." she said as she tried to vector the ship out of the station and towards coordinates that would take her away from where they were at. "I assume something happened back there, I had some bounty hunter try and get on board and go after..." she paused and looked over her shoulder. "I think Kaida may be trouble, and that is coming from someone who has run spice before."
Kaida jogged to the other turret and flounced down into the controls, buckling in. Running again, she frowned. And again and again. It was always the same. Would they always be running? Or would there come a time when the Empire would run? When freedom would rise up and eradicate tyranny from the galaxy? But it didn't matter. They would hit back in small ways. Ways the Empire would eventually feel. Word would get out that a movement was afoot then things would happen. It might not happen in her lifetime, but she would do her part.
How do you eat a bantha? One bite a time. She powered on the targeting display.
With Caden's order, Kara hit the ship's boosters and it rocketed forward through the environmental screen and out into space. To show off her prowess at the controls, Kara barrel-rolled the Aegis as it exited Jovan, causing Caden's breath to hiss through his teeth. Once clear, the Bestinian turned to the nav-computer with a shake of the head, and started plotting a jump to Taris. They would have a few days with the cargo run which would allow them to recover from their current battle on Jovan and to plan their attack on Tantau II. It would also give Caden a chance to sort out what he was going to do with everyone aboard his ship. The new addition created concerns for him. They didn't know him and they certainly could not reveal their plans of attacking an Imperial installation... could they?
Sam moved into the ship and made his way to Brim. The droid handed the Rodian the lightsaber that had been given to him by the dying Jedi. Once done, he went to the Aegis' sensor station and began scanning the space around them to make sure that no enemies approached.
Logar'Dan watched as Kaida climbed into the belly turret seat. He also could feel the staring eyes of Britton. He gave an easy smile to those around him, but he could tell by the moods that things weren't good. Maybe this wasn't the best ship to hop a ride on, or maybe they just needed some time to get to know him. In any case, he just watched them be engaged by three pretty tough looking individuals, so he could understand why the mood was a bit tense at the moment.
Logar decided to take her instructions and moved to the other weapon's command seat. He activated the system and the reticule spun up giving him eyes of the Aegis' upper turret. The soldier traversed it left and then right to get a good view of any potential danger.
From her view, Kaida could see nothing following them out of Jovan. The huge spacestation slowly began to shrink as the distance between it and the Aegis increased. A few minutes later, Caden's voice came over the ship's intercom, "Prepare to jump."
Stars stretched. There was a brilliant light as the hyperdrive engines accelerated the loronar explorer to lightspeed, and then she was gone. At supra-luminal speeds, the Aegis flashed through space along the Gordian Reach space lane. It would maintain that course until it reached the Hydian Way, and then to Taris.
They had two days travel to their drop-off put things together.
:ooc: John, as you are new to my PbP games, but not my gaming, I wanted to let you know that this is a cut-scene. It is provided for story flavor, but not for character use... at least not until any threads of this scene meet up with your characters - and then you as a player know where it is coming from. Make sense?
Anyway, it is here to enjoy.
On Jovan station, the Imperial garrison had finally cut its way through the fallen structural debris and had secured the area in front of Hangar Bay 12D. Medical teams moved about aiding the injured, while stormtroopers collected and separated the dead. There were quite a few civillian deaths from the explosions, the fallen debris, and the blasters that had been fired in the chamber.
Among the official presence in the chamber was an Imperial Security Bureau Officer - the new investigation and surveillance branch of the New Order that put everyone on guard and struck fear in ally and enemy alike. They were the literal eyes and ears of Palpatine and at times, with the authority they possessed, acted on their own cognisance and made their own judgements. On backwater planets, some of the worst ISB officers acted as judge, jury and executioner. People were beginning to fear them more than the presence of the white-armored stormtroopers... at least you knew who the soldiers were. And it wasn't just the common folk. It was also military officials and political officials - no one was safe from the ISB, and the Emperor showed no sign of a desire to rein them in.
The ISB officer looked down at the two men laying on the ground. Sallo and Ulric had both survived and were now stabilized by the emergency medical teams that had finally made it into the chamber. The officer could see that Corbin's armor was all torn up, blaster scored, and his leg looked, if not broken, at least destroyed to the point where the man would need to learn to walk again. But it was the other injury that intrigued him more - Ulric lay there sedated with a wound that could only be caused by a lightsaber. An agent approached his commmand officer to report, "Sir, we have witnesses in both chambers that have corroborated the following information: a group of individuals commenced a gun fight after the initial three explosions occurred. Two explosions were apparently set to cause this area to be cut off from the general station at either end, and the third brought down the mech scaffolding. It would also seem that the station's alert system had been compromised and an environmental breach alert had been signalled causing the environmental door to seal. It effectively contained this area for a good amount of time... at least enough time to allow for this small battle to occur."
The ISB officer nodded as he looked around, "What else?"
"Well, sir, it seems that there were also two lightsaber wielding individuals - one with a red saber and one with green. The witnesses state that the two fought here in the center of the chamber, but we have found no trace of either one dead."
The officer smiled, "Yes but we have a man here with a lightsaber wound through his torso. Did you find any weapons?"
"Only a few blasters, primarily attached or laying near that one there." The officer pointed at Sallo, "And we have identified this one through one of the guilds - he is Corbin Sallo."
"The bounty hunter... yes, I have heard of him," said the ISB commander. "And who is he?" The officer pointed to another man, one dead laying amongst the others, still dressed in his clone armor.
The agent replied to his commander, "Sir, the only thing I can think is he is a wars veteran. One of the original clones that were produced and then riffed when they were no longer needed, or genetically had decayed. By his insignias, he was a special ops soldier in the electronics and demolitions field."
"So he was the one that caused all this... but for who? Him?" The ISB officer was only thinking out loud, while he pointed to Sallo, but his agent replied, "I do not know, sir. Maybe. Lastly, as you can see, the EHD has a hole in it cut by a lightsaber, someone either escaped through, or came in from the hangar. We do have witnesses confirming that a Loronar-explorer class vessel blasted its way out of the hangar shortly after everything began. The ship's identification led us to a Correllian freighter that had been destroyed during the war, so we do not know anything about it."
The officer scratched his cheek, "Check the videos of the hangar. Certainly the station has monitoring systems. Also, search the holonet to see if there are any other reports of rogue Loronars." The officer then bent to one knee beside Ulric. "Who are you?" he whispered to no one in particular.
Since the attack in 12D, the rest of Jovan had been in lock down and so Fett sat in his ship, on the opposite side of Jovan, waiting for the time that he could leave. The longer it took, the further his opportunity to capture Kaida Katan moved away from him. Suddenly, a silent proximity alarm chimed and he quickly grabbed his helmet. Placing it on his head and grabbing his blaster rifle, Fett moved off of the Slave I's flight deck and down into the hold where the landing ramp lay extended. The shadow stood in the entrance blocking out the light of the bay outside.
"What do you want?" Fett asked.
"You left in a hurry?" whispered Shade. "Perhaps the encounter could have resolved itself more in our favor if you had stayed."
"The encounter wasn't my interest," Fett replied matter-of-factly. "In fact, that debacle was all your doing and maybe you should have planned it better. I only wanted the girl. You wanted the rest. Once they made it to the hangar and to their ship, I saw no more purpose in staying."
Shade felt the anger in him welling up at what he deemed Boba Fett's insolence. "Perhaps you'd prefer taking this outside!" Shade hissed through his teeth, his anger at the entire situation coursing through him.
He reached for his belt where hung his lightsaber. Fett quickly brought up his blaster and fired, the shot being deflected into the ship's hull by Shade's now lit weapon. But what the darksider had not seen or felt was Fett activating, and firing in unison with his blaster, a saber dart from his wrist gauntlet. It struck Shade in the neck. Normally, the Kaminoan saber dart would be coated with deadly poison, but Boba had them prepared with a sedative - it was to be his means for taking down Kaida. The toxin quickly entered Shade's bloodstream and the darksider swooned.
It was also a paralytic and though Shade could see around him, his limbs no longer responded to his commands. He fell over to the floor and Fett was on top of him, the blaster rifle muzzle now pressed against the darksider's forehead. "I have kind of had it with all of you frakking Force-users!" hissed the bounty hunter. "With all your fancy tricks, you all seem to miss the obvious... you're a dying breed! Now, I don't give a damn about your issues with these people. I don't give a damn that you are now being hunted by the Black Sun for your failures. All I care about is my business, and that is the noblewoman. So... you are going to get off my ship now and if you come near it again, I will blow your frakkin' head off." Fett ended his words with a quick flip of his rifle and then its butt to Shade's head. For the darksider, all went black.
:ooc: Very kool man
Back on the aegis. Logar could feel the tension onboard, the talk of finishing a cargo job had to be a cover, or possibly a distraction from greater schemes. Dark Jedi and guild bounty hunters werent your run of the mill encounters. He knew it would be difficult to gain their trust, but he was inclined to try. He missed the thrill of battle and hoped his days of wandering alone were over.... Perhaps he would start with the captain, hed be honest and list his many talents....
Kara grinned at her moves and wondered if everyone had been buckled in. She sat there in the pilots seat to see if they were going to call a crew meeting after the jump.
Caden decided to fill Kara in; on their meeting with Senator Organa, this burgeoning rebellion... everything.
One way or another, she deserved to know what was going on, and why they had narrowly escaped with their lives - again.
"We're all in on this, Kara," he said. "There's nowhere else for us to go now. We could use you... but we need to be able to count on you. All the time."
He knew she knew what he meant, and he waited for a response in the cockpit; the thrumming of the ship's machinery the only noise between them.
Kara looked at Caden, sighed and relaxed her grip on the control yoke.
"I'll be honest with you, back there the bounty hunter offered me a few thousand credits to sell of Kaida, and basically help her disappear. The old me would have had to have thought about it long and hard, but this time I didn't sell her out, I did try to get some money off the bounty hunter, but he wasn't playing games, he was out for Kaida and was ready to kill to get her. I figure now I have my name on Imperial watch lists, and maybe some bounty hunters after me...us... whoever. Doesn't seem to matter at this point. My question to you captain is, what exactly is going down, I need to know that before I go on some suicide mission."
Quote from: watanabe on Jan 25, 2011, 03:41 PM
Kara looked at Caden, sighed and relaxed her grip on the control yoke.
"I'll be honest with you, back there the bounty hunter offered me a few thousand credits to sell of Kaida, and basically help her disappear. The old me would have had to have thought about it long and hard, but this time I didn't sell her out, I did try to get some money off the bounty hunter, but he wasn't playing games, he was out for Kaida and was ready to kill to get her. I figure now I have my name on Imperial watch lists, and maybe some bounty hunters after me...us... whoever. Doesn't seem to matter at this point. My question to you captain is, what exactly is going down, I need to know that before I go on some suicide mission."
"Well," Caden laughed, "I said the same thing to Senator Organa. Suicide isn't my style, either."
He explained the tactical plan and how there seemed to be a decent chance to pull it off, and if they did, that the senator and his burgeoning network would be able to provide for them - cover, credits, repairs, a life that perhaps held some meaning. That was the hope.
At the very least, they'd start dishing out a little of what they'd been taking, and to Caden, that sounded pretty good.
:ooc: I am going to give this until tomorrow morning/afternoon too allow for some more character interactions, before I move the game on. Brian and Gregg are going to be fading out over the next couple weeks (Gregg is here until March) due to life's needs, so I am going to be gearing the story around our remaining PC's:
Caden
Kara
Logar'Dan
Sam
Kaida
Gregg will be gone for two years, and hopefully we'll see Brian back soon... maybe I shouldn't have killed off the Jedi PC. ;)
Kara nodded and looked at Caden.
"So you are telling me I get to fly in a bunch of dangerous missions, shoot at Imperials, and that someone will actually fund us. I think doing deathsticks may be safer, but probably not as thrilling and as a good of a high as this."
Kara went silent.
"I'm in, how much are they paying us?" there was a pause, and then added in as an afterthought "And do they have any good ale on Alderaan?"
The Aegis slipped quietly through hyperspace at speeds that exceeded the mind's ability to comprehend without the assistance of navicomputers. The ship had almost completed its first leg on the Gordian Reach, a well-traveled route for both civillian and military craft alike. She had no intercept warnings or any other apparent threats and so the crew had calmed and now took care of their personal needs. The galley and infirmary were the primary locations of the gathered companions. Kara had left the Aegis to cruise on auto, guided by its navicomputer.
In the galley, Logar'Dan sat with a warm cup of caf in front of him. To this point, he had not had much interaction with the others. They all had been polite, but there was a distance between them all. He took a sip of the strong liquid and enjoyed the pleasant warm feeling as it coursed his body. His gear was piled in the circular companionway outside the galley. It was ready for their arrival on Taris, in case he was put off the ship. These seemed to be good people - he hoped that would not be the case. His wandering had taken him far in the galaxy, and the things he had seen still brought nightmares at times, and so it would be nice to have a place, and a group, to call home. Logar looked up as Britton walked into the galley.
"Hey," said the solder. It was the first words spoken to him since Kaida had talked to him when they left Jovan Station. "So... I never got your name. Where are you from and what they hell did you climb onto this ship for?"
Britton was out of his powered armor and his chest was bandaged from the wound he had received from Boba Fett. He put a packet of freeze-dried food into the synthesizer and a moment later pulled out the now steaming meal. It looked better, smelled somewhat better, but was a far cry from planet-side food... even space station food. But, it would sustain you through the long jumps of space travel.
He continued,"You realize you just hung your hat on a wanted ship? I mean, frak! Since I met these people, I've been shot at, running from Imperials and criminals! Welcome aboard! I hope you live. So, what is it you do?"
Britton was not an idiot. He saw the duffelbag that Logar'Dan had carried. The rifle within was easy to discern - not the type, but certainly what it was. Besides, Logar had a look of a man who had lived a rough life... a soldier could always see himself in another soldier's eyes. "Did you serve in the wars?" he asked regarding the Clone Wars, and then realized he had been talking so much, he had not given the other man a chance to answer. So he quit talking, instead filling his mouth with a spoonful of food.
In his room, Brim stared at the lightsaber that lay on his bunk. A real lightsaber. He had been practicing with a bar in the hold, but now he had the real thing. Sam had said it had belonged to another... Jedi? Jedi Master? Someone named Korif. He was unfamiliar. He would have to do some research to see who this Jedi was and how he might honor him through use of this weapon.
Logar gave the soldier a warm smile "I'm called Logar'Dan, and I'm from lots of places by way of Nar Shadda. Why I'm here is easy enough, that mandalorians rocket damn near did me in. So I thought I'd respond in kind. I didn't like the idea of waiting around for the imperials, needed a ride off that rock anyway, so here I sit." Logar took another pull from his cup. "And yes I saw some of the war, mostly mercenary work,made a fair chunk of credits and Ive been laying low in the years since. It's strange I was just thinking my life was lacking some excitement, and then I ran into you folks. I'm a fair hand with a blade and a blaster, a decent pilot. I work cheap, a fair cut if theirs any spoils. What about you, how'd u end up here?"
Britton answered, "Well if there are any spoils, I have yet to see anything! I guess I shouldn't complain, though. Since I joined up with Kaida and the rest I have at least had a place to stay and food to eat. The excitement that has come along with it has made it worth it." A smile crossed his face. Britton was a soldier to the core and thus enjoyed the adrenaline rush of combat. Maybe it was a disorder in his brain, but he thought of it more as a weapon - the ability to think and remain cool when blasters and explosions are going off around you. It made him more lethal.
He continued in response to Logar'Dan's inquiry, "How did I end up here... let's see... after the wars, I found myself wandering, too. I ended up taking a job in a security unit on Bakura and was assigned to Senator Kal Ranie. I woke up one evening and looked out my bunkroom window to see explosive devices mounted to the mansion's structural supports. I ran out of my room into a hail of blaster fire and frag grenades. The next thing I know, the mansion is falling into the sea and I am barely escaping out the front door. The senator was killed along with all of my associates. Caden and his ship were hovering over the whole mess and I jumped on board to escape with them." Britton suddenly looked bewildered. What if he had stayed to wait for the authorities? He wouldn't be caught up in all of this mess, being blamed for the senator's death, and being hunted by Imps. That shadow would not be wanting to kill him either.
But, he had found a new purpose... Kaida Katan. Britton wasn't sure what it was about her, but he wanted to help her. He wanted to protect her... and he would. "Anyway, it's been one port than another. Now we are here... or were there... on Jovan where we found you. Maybe now that we have another experienced rifle on board, we won't be running from all of these damn fights. We can see one through and find out who the hell is giving us such a hard time. Yea, the Imperials are after us, but these attacks have not been stormies... not sure who the shadowy figure is. Anyway, I am not the captain around here, but just merge yourself into the group. They'll accept you and start talking to you soon enough - maybe you'll even see that cut of the spoils!" He laughed at his last comment and took another spoonful of food.
Logar finished off his caf and rose to make another. "Sounds good, their not easily a trusting bunch i get that. Folks on the run rarely are, but i need this, back their in that docking bay was the first time id fired a blaster in almost a year. You can imagine how that felt i beleive. Not much afraid of dying as i am not truly feeling alive. I can hardly imagine how im gonna feel if i need to get 'Katherine' out that duffel bag, or if'n i get a chance to unlimber some of the grenades ive been hoarding." A smile always found its way to Logars face, the one that settled their now was more sinister than anything. "My toes are curling just thinking about it."
Brim appeared at the entrance to the galley. "What are you two talking about?" he asked, seeing the smile on Logar's face. "Oh, sorry," said the Rodian, "I have not really had a chance to say hello to you... I am Brim."
[pronounced like Breeem]
Britton answered, "We were just talking about that battle back there. So... what do you think? We gotta chance with this new assignment from Organa? I mean, we barely pulled that last excursion off.. and where is Caden taking us now?"
Brim gave Britton a sidelong glance at mentioning their new venture - they had no idea who this new man was. "I am sure he will tell us when he is done in the infirmary. Kaida acted quickly, but it was a hazardous choice she made and all of us suffered from it." But at least they were not dead. The thought brought Brim back to the Jedi... was he dead? Would he get a chance to meet another that was trained in the order? He doubted it all; yet in his heart he knew such thoughts and feelings would betray him, and so he tried to set them aside.
Logar settled back at the table with a fresh cup of caf. "Good to meet you Brim, Im called Logar'Dan. Join us."
Brim came and sat at the table. He looked at the new member of their group. He wished it had been the Jedi, Ulric, but things did not always work out the way you wished or planned. Putting the thoughts aside and not wishing to be rude, the Rodian spoke, "Caden has us on a course for Taris. He was lucky enough to get us hired to move some cargo for a local merchant on Jovan. It will certainly put some money in his pocket so that he might continue to keep us moving."
Brim had been noticing the changes in Caden. The man was always pleasant and polite, but his face was showing his concerns. Since he first stepped aboard the Aegis to get away from the stormtroopers, the Rodian had seen the passenger number triple. The only person that Caden had on his ship, prior to them all, was Kex, his friend, and he was now dead. So, Brim understood Caden's concerns and thus wanted to make sure he was stepping up to help. Kara had taken over the position of Kex, as pilot, but with her it had been hit or miss. Sam had been here too, from the beginning, and was a worthy companion, but you could only get so close to a droid. Britton and Kaida and now Logar'Dan... he was taking in every stray. Perhaps it was time to ease some of the strain. Perhaps, when the ship landed on Taris to unload, Brim might make his own way. He now had a lightsaber. He could feel the Force moving within him. He needed to take some time to evolve this new found power. He would wait and see.
Britton broke his thoughts, "Yea, I understand. Still, he can't complain too much - I mean, it was our blasters that have helped to pull us out of the fire these past few times."
Another voice broke in, "It has, and that is appreciated. I am alive right now because everyone here has taken a part in all of us looking after each other. So, let's not worry anymore about what was. We are a team now." Caden stood there with a bandage wrapped around his chest. He had bruised a few ribs in the crash. He gave a sidelong look at Logar, "Some newer than others, and we all need to work together." Again the Aegis' captain looked at Logar'Dan, and then a look of resolve crossed his face. "I don't know who you are... but I need to know that you can be trusted. First, what is your feelings towards the Empire?"
Caden looked at Logar'Dan while his mind drifted back to the few minutes prior when he had drawn Sam aside. "We have a new mission, Sam, and we have to see it done. The new gun on our ship might be useful, but we don't know his heart. We need to discuss our plan to attack Tantau II, and it needs to be done now. If for any reason this Logar'Dan looks like he might betray us, I want you to take him out. Can you do that?"
Logar'Dan could feel the tention in the mess. HIs warm smile wouldnt help this situation, or put the captain at ease. Hed try the truth. "Well captain, i never cared for the empire. Cant trust a clone i always say. Besides the empire cost me the the best job i ever did have when they abollished the trade federation. And im not scared to ruffle their feathers, that goes double for the guild too. If you can use an extra gun or another pilot, im your man." Logar finished off his caf in one last great swallow. He set down the cup and placed his hands flat on the table, wondering which way this would go.
"Well," Caden sighed at Logar, "Thanks for your help in that scrap back there. We've seen a lot of action, but those two bounty hunters, that lightsaber-carrier and the clone troops were more than usual.
"We're not soldiers. I went to Bakura to investigate a crime for Senator Kal Ranie, a friend of mine. A couple of months ago, it was just me, my co-pilot Kex and Sam back there. We lived easier back then; moving cargo, making a few creds. Things weren't bad. We picked up Brim a little later when he needed a hand."
Caden flopped down in a chair by a computer, groaning a bit as he did. He was lucky it wasn't worse.
"Long story short, I took the side job on Bakura because it was quiet and it was going to pay handsomely. But we stumbled into something far bigger than a simple murder. Drug-running, Imperial involvement, possible assassination - who knows? It wasn't what we signed on for. We met Kara, our new pilot, in much the same way we met you. Britton, too - like he said."
He breathed deeply and regretted it. Ribs.
"Long story short - on Bakura, someone killed Kex, and Kal - two of my oldest friends, along with a man named Dan Qinos, who we were supposed to bring to Bakura. They damn near got all of us, and when they didn't, they pinned Kal's murder on me and whoever's on this ship.
"You might not have picked the best spot to land, my friend," he said grimly.
"As for Kaida? Well, maybe she'll get around to telling us why she's hunted, too. Sure hasn't been worth the creds she's paying me."
He regretted saying it - he liked Kaida, and he sympathized with her plight. Senator Organa had made some of it clear. But between Kaida, Kara and whoever else, he was done with letting others keep secrets from him anymore. This ship was more than just transportation, it was his home, his livelihood, and if he was going to die in it, he sure as hell wanted to know why.
:ooc: Fantastic posts! I love this stuff!
Sam checked his equipment, replaced charge packs and made sure everything of his was operational. He processed what he knew of their coming mission and tried to evaluate the tactical roles of the crew based on an unbiased assessment of their skills he has observed. And new personnel...that was an unknown that would have to be investigated.
Sam hooked into the Aegis' computer and did a basic system diagnostic of the ship to make sure nothing had been missed in the haste of the previous days. It was a dependable craft, but neglect of the simple things was a ship's worst enemy.
He kept an eye on the sensors as he worked, scanning for any pursuit. If nothing turns up on the scanners, and if nothing odd is flagged in the diagnostic, Sam begins his maintenance shutdown.
Logar eyed his empty cup. His right knee was already going with a restless jitter, another cup and hed be bouncing off the bulkheads. "Well cap'n i appreciate your candor. And i can hear in your voice your frustration at the loss of old friends, i know this pain too. And ill just bet you wonder what else this adventure will take from you before its done. I can help, i know another gun is no garauntee but it wont hurt your situation as i see it. And ill give you my word right now, ill do everything in my power to keep you and your people and this ship going and out of imperial hands.If you'll have me ? Logar wondered at his feelings, he gave his word. And he meant it. His heart was out ahead of his brains again. Well that was it really, he did mean what he said, done is done his smother would say. He only hoped theyd let him stay and hed get a chance to make some noise. He only hoped this captain would give him the green light, and tell him where to bunk.
:ooc: Am I still in the cockpit, or can I jump into this conversation?
:ooc: The ship is on auto-pilot, Nick, driving down the hyper-lanes. You may be anywhere in the ship you would like - so feel free to jump into the conversation.
Quote from: Callowmoryne on Feb 02, 2011, 06:22 AM
Logar eyed his empty cup. His right knee was already going with a restless jitter, another cup and hed be bouncing off the bulkheads. "Well cap'n i appreciate your candor. And i can hear in your voice your frustration at the loss of old friends, i know this pain too. And ill just bet you wonder what else this adventure will take from you before its done. I can help, i know another gun is no garauntee but it wont hurt your situation as i see it. And ill give you my word right now, ill do everything in my power to keep you and your people and this ship going and out of imperial hands.If you'll have me ? Logar wondered at his feelings, he gave his word. And he meant it. His heart was out ahead of his brains again. Well that was it really, he did mean what he said, done is done his smother would say. He only hoped theyd let him stay and hed get a chance to make some noise. He only hoped this captain would give him the green light, and tell him where to bunk.
"Sounds like neither of us have much to lose anymore," Caden replied, offering his hand. "Keep my ship in one piece, watch my back if you can, and I'll promise you the same. That's about all I can offer you besides a bunk at the moment - that, and a crack at the Empire. Welcome aboard the Aegis."
Logar took the offered hand and smiled. " Glad to be aboard captain, ill do my best." Logar rose from the table, his excitement palpable. He gathered his duffel bag and backpack from the hall. Ready to unpack "Katherine" in her new home. These are good folks Kat, he thought to himself. Well as good as we are likely to come across. Folks worth killing for are hard to find. And i do so like to have a good reason, makes me a bit less ashamed that i love my work. He felt a little too giddy for his own good, too much caf. "So where to Cap'n, got room in crew quarters or setting up elsewhere?"
:ooc: I updated the Loronar's interior layout to reflect Caden's modifications on the ship. Since the ship is no longer used as an explorer, he re-structured it to fit the needs.
You can go here to see the image, or go to the Stats Block thread for more details: Loronar E9 - Deck 1 (http://rpg.avioc.org/webimages/starwars/LoronarE9-Deck1.gif)
"There's a room down the hall. You'll have to shack up with Britton, I'm afraid - this ship's not set up for passengers, but I can find you some personal space.
"Sam can show you around if you need anything," he added, knowing that Sam would use any opportunity to analyze their new comrade, as well.
"In the meanwhile, I assume your back's strong enough to offload some cargo - that's our next order of business. We can't go very far without putting some creds back into the ship."
The man seemed genuine enough. Maybe they got lucky again. "Face it," Caden thought," He's right - we do need another gun... as many as we can get our hands on."
:ooc: All PC's are awarded the following in XP:
Brim - 2,000 :csu:
Britton - 2,000 :csu:
Caden - 3,000 :csu:
Kaida - 3,000 :csu:
Kara - 3,000 :csu:
Logar'Dan - 1,500 :csu:
Sam - 3,000 :csu:
This chapter is over, but feel free to dialogue anything else you would like in this thread.
Kara came walking down the hall and looked at the new comer and then at Caden.
"You are running a real charity here Captain, you are going to need a bigger ship if we keep picking up people at every stop." she looked at the newcomer, uncertain of who this person was. "Name's Kara, just stay out of my room and don't bring too much trouble." Kara flopped down on a chair and put her legs up on a nearby table. "Oh yeah, don't touch my liquor without asking."
:ooc: Just so you know, the four crewmen berths on the ship are double-bunked and then there is the Commander suite and the first officer suite. So, the Aegis can comfortably accommodate 10 people... keep growing and it might become more challenging.
And, nice post Nick! I like Kara.
Kaida kept to herself and tried to stay busy throughout much of the hyperspace voyage. She helped to bandage up the injured, took stock of the inventory in the infirmary, triple checked the med kits and other supplies, and probably quadruple-checked her blasters. She even tried her hand at mending some of her clothing.
But mainly, she retreated inward. Polite conversation she took and gave, as well as she could, but she kept it at a deliberately shallow level. The news of the death of her father and brother were still too fresh. During a conversation the slightest phrase or inflection in someone's voice could sometimes send her mind drifting to latch onto some fond memory of either or both of them, and then she'd have to play catchup.
She smiled when smiled to, but the smile rarely touched her eyes.
She ate, not because she liked it of course. What was to like anyway when it came to food spat out by the synthesizer? She ate to keep up her strength. It was simple: calories in and energy out. Energy needed to accomplish her purpose. Taking the fight to the Empire.
The Empire. Her thoughts revolved around it. Not in some vengeful way. Out of what then? Was it a sense of justice? Of righting what was wrong in the universe? Oh, true, she had always been a little bit of a control freak, but this? Wasn't she aiming a bit too high? How could their little group possibly make a difference against such an entity.
But that was where she found meaning. A cause. And that cause was as simple and as old as humanity itself: Freedom
And wherever there was freedom, there was always an encroachment of tyranny. Freedom first for her world, then for the galaxy. Freedom and justice. She would see it done, surely not in her life time, but she would see the beginnings of it. And if not, she'd die trying!
With resolve She punched a button, powered up one of the ship's computers, and began reading.
She read up on everything the Aegis had on the Empire's. She studied its recent movements, looking for patterns, for weaknesses she could exploit. She also studied the tactical situation on their upcoming mission, going over the hologram diagrams, memorizing as much as she could about the layout of the place.
Better to stay busy, she thought. Better to stay busy than get too close to her companions, companions who may very well be blasted to smithereens in the next firefight.
Quote from: tomcat on Feb 03, 2011, 01:07 PM
:ooc: Just so you know, the four crewmen berths on the ship are double-bunked and then there is the Commander suite and the first officer suite. So, the Aegis can comfortably accommodate 10 people... keep growing and it might become more challenging.
And, nice post Nick! I like Kara.
:ooc: Thanks, its a fun game, and I'm trying to put more effort into all of my games and characters this year. I'm shooting for an all around enjoyable experience for all. Also if anyone thinks Kara is a bit of a jerk, I'm sorry, just trying to make her a cocky female Corellian.
Quote from: watanabe on Feb 03, 2011, 05:09 PM
:ooc: Thanks, its a fun game, and I'm trying to put more effort into all of my games and characters this year. I'm shooting for an all around enjoyable experience for all. Also if anyone thinks Kara is a bit of a jerk, I'm sorry, just trying to make her a cocky female Corellian.
:ooc: Yup. I have to agree, Kara's got a fun role-playing personality! Keep it up! Same to Caden, and Logar Dan, and the rest! It's a crazy-fun mix. And of course especially a nice job for Tomcat: you're a fantastic writer; I really enjoy the way you weave a story.
Britton was still stuffing his mouth watching as the exchange went on around him, food dribbling out of his mouth, "WHOA Cap your putting him in with me? Dont you think thats putting to much firepower in one room? That's gonna cut into my exercise space." Britton looked at the new guy, "You got gun cleaning stuff in that bag? My stuff is garbage." Looking back to his food ignoring what he is wearing on his face he goes back to eating.
A moment later he looks up,
"Wait, did you say you had grenades?"
:ooc: Does Kara have time to confront Kaida, its what she would do after the whole bounty hunter thing. ;D
:ooc: I'd say you have time. Sounds like a multi-day journey to me and we're all in cramped quarters so even though she's being introverted at the moment, you can still give it a shot.
Logar's winning smile found it's way to his face. Kara was a firecracker, he liked her. "I'm Logar, I'm no thief, I'll only be drinking your booze when you invite me for a drink" His luggage in hand he headed for the bunk he'd be sharing with Britton, calling over his shoulder. "your welcome to use my cleaning gear and whatever else I got, but I'll thank you too keep your greasy paws off my gun and my grenades."
Kara watched the new one, Logar walk past and head towards a bunk. She'd have to make sure she locked her stuff up safe, she never trusted new people, which reminded her, she had to talk with Kaida.
Kara went to Kaida and leaned in close and whispered.
"We need to talk, someone came looking for you, and we need to know why." She looked around the ship. "Maybe somewhere private, like the engine room."
Kaida looked at her quizzically a moment, wondering how much she knew and how much was safe to tell her. Then she nodded and followed Kara to the engine room. She leaned against the bulkhead and folded her arms. "Who's the 'someone'? Was he handsome?" She gave a tight smile.
:ooc: Even though I have started the new thread, please keep this dialogue going.
Logar'Dan found his bunk easy enough and began unpacking his things, stowing his feild kit and various sundries in whatever storage is available. He pulled his blaster rifle from the duffel and dissasembled it on his bed, cleaning each part masticulously. After its reasembling and setting it aside he reached again into the darkness of his duffel bag. With a care undo to such a common weapon, he pulled the vibroknife/bayonet he lovingly referred to as Katherine from her dark slumber. Checking her draw speed from the well oiled sheath he clipped it to his belt. "Time to wake up my love, Ive found us some work. "
:ooc: This guy sounds a bit sinister, John, having a formal conversation with a bayonet. ;)
:ooc:he's spent alot of time alone buddy :) I'm gonna play him like a killer who develops a conscience in the time since the war ended, he's realized he likes to kill and is looking for a better reason to do it other than credits. So he will latch onto any decent cause at this point to justify his homicidal tendencies
Quote from: Jingo on Feb 04, 2011, 01:54 PM
Kaida looked at her quizzically a moment, wondering how much she knew and how much was safe to tell her. Then she nodded and followed Kara to the engine room. She leaned against the bulkhead and folded her arms. "Who's the 'someone'? Was he handsome?" She gave a tight smile.
"When I came back to the ship there was a bounty hunter who came for you, he wanted me to let him on the ship in the middle of the night and he was going to walk off with you. He offered me a few thousand credits, so I imagine the bounty on you has to be at least ten times that. Now my question is, why would someone want to pay that much to catch a rich noble? Did you run off with daddy's money, or is there something more sinister in your past." Kara was pacing and stopped and looked at Kaida.
"Now you lucked out with this crew, I wasn't about to sell you off and the captain wouldn't sell you off either, but you need to tell us what is going on so we can be ready. You saw we just brought another new face on the ship today, and who knows what this person could be capable of." :ooc:
Kara was trying to be a bit deceptive, and thus I'll make a deception roll.
Deception = 5+d20
=
Rolled 1d20 : 3, total 3
:ooc: Jingo, make sure you reply here... I really want this character narrative/interaction to be in the story.
Quote from: watanabe on Feb 05, 2011, 04:33 PM
"When I came back to the ship there was a bounty hunter who came for you, he wanted me to let him on the ship in the middle of the night and he was going to walk off with you. He offered me a few thousand credits, so I imagine the bounty on you has to be at least ten times that. Now my question is, why would someone want to pay that much to catch a rich noble? Did you run off with daddy's money, or is there something more sinister in your past." Kara was pacing and stopped and looked at Kaida. "Now you lucked out with this crew, I wasn't about to sell you off and the captain wouldn't sell you off either, but you need to tell us what is going on so we can be ready. You saw we just brought another new face on the ship today, and who knows what this person could be capable of."
"Run off with my daddy's mon--? "She stalked off a few steps and rounded on Kara, hands on hips. "Why, you--!" Anger and hurt, bottled up for days now, flared inside of her, but she was too disciplined to give way to shouting or ranting. Her voice cut in a low fierce whisper. "So, somehow
I'm the one you thought everyone should worry about?" She scoffed and shook her head. "For your information,
we were the ones who got the assignment from Organa. You should have seen
his face when he found out there was one of our number awol doing the galaxy only knows what! Why am I here? Because the Empire, that bastion of noble goodness, out there," her voice dripped sarcasm, "
murdered my father, murdered my brother and for all I know sold the rest of my family into some cesspool of slavery because
we had the guts to make a stand for freedom! I'm trying to find what's left of them and some sanity in this galaxy! That's--" she stabbed a finger at Kara's chest--"why I'm here!" And she turned and began walking out of the engine room.
:ooc: Very nice! Cat fight! ;D
I can say that I really like Kara. Such a hard character type to run - well for me at least. To be needed, but not necessarily liked or trusted... that is hard to roleplay. I always came off as a dick, or being too bad. Nice work guys. This is an enjoyable mix of characters.
Kara wasn't about to let Kaida get out of the engine room, and moved to stop her from leaving, grabbing her if need be.
"You got the assignment from Organa, but you have not told me why the hell there is a bounty hunter after you, who wants JUST you, not all of us, despite the fact that there should be bounties on all of us by now. He wanted you, and was willing to pay me, when bringing me in would probably have netted him even more profit. There is something you aren't telling me." Kara realized she was being pushing and had a hard tone, she knew she needed to change tactics.
"I'm sorry about your family, but you have to realize that you are putting others in danger if you don't tell us what exactly is going on." Kara looked over her shoulder towards the lounge where the new people were sitting. "To be honest, I am worried about you, but I think that we need to keep an eye on the new soldier we just brought on board, people who admire weapons and worship them that much usually have some kind of problem, or are willing to sell out a crew if it will help pay for the newest advancement in sighting technology for their blaster rifle."
Kara sighed and ran a gloved hand over her forehead and then through her hair.
"Listen we all have problems, mine are with chemicals and the need to take them a little too often, and thus having to have run spice and run from the Hutt's, the Empire and other thugs, everyone has a story, and the Captain knows mine, if you don't tell me, at least tell him what is going on. He's a good man, you can trust him, few people around like the Captain anymore."
Quote from: watanabe on Feb 07, 2011, 08:23 AM
Kara wasn't about to let Kaida get out of the engine room, and moved to stop her from leaving, grabbing her if need be.
"You got the assignment from Organa, but you have not told me why the hell there is a bounty hunter after you, who wants JUST you, not all of us, despite the fact that there should be bounties on all of us by now. He wanted you, and was willing to pay me, when bringing me in would probably have netted him even more profit. There is something you aren't telling me." Kara realized she was being pushing and had a hard tone, she knew she needed to change tactics.
"I'm sorry about your family, but you have to realize that you are putting others in danger if you don't tell us what exactly is going on." Kara looked over her shoulder towards the lounge where the new people were sitting. "To be honest, I am worried about you, but I think that we need to keep an eye on the new soldier we just brought on board, people who admire weapons and worship them that much usually have some kind of problem, or are willing to sell out a crew if it will help pay for the newest advancement in sighting technology for their blaster rifle."
Kara sighed and ran a gloved hand over her forehead and then through her hair.
"Listen we all have problems, mine are with chemicals and the need to take them a little too often, and thus having to have run spice and run from the Hutt's, the Empire and other thugs, everyone has a story, and the Captain knows mine, if you don't tell me, at least tell him what is going on. He's a good man, you can trust him, few people around like the Captain anymore."
"Fine!" Kaida wrenched her arm away, her voice still in a fierce whisper. "You want to know why? I'll tell you why! Because I'm a threat. Just like any freedom-loving being is a threat to tyranny anywhere, anytime. Maybe the bounty hunters aren't after you because you're too much like them, willing to buy and to be bought, to sell your values to the highest bidder!" She knew her words were cutting, but at the moment, she didn't care.
"My father and brother were good men. Believers in freedom. In democratic representation. Commenor is full of such men and women. We fought oppression with more than just words. When system after system caved to the Empire, we did not!" Her eyes blazed with pride and she choked back her emotions.
For a long moment she just stood there, and then her voice dropped to barely above the hum of the engines, and her eyes were far away. The sadness that came through her voice was palpable. "And then they came. The Star Destroyers, the fighters, and the troop carruers. They broke through the palace defenses. There was blaster fire. Debris. Smoke. The wounded, dead and dying." She swallowed hard and her chin came up. "I wanted to stay, Kara! I wanted to stay and keep fighting at my family's side. But once my detachment of soldiers were cut down, my brother called the retreat and pulled me out. He put me on a shuttle whisking me away. That was the last I saw of him. The last I'll ever see of him and of my father. And so I ran. They said we would rendevous. That they would contact me. And I kept up hope. But my guards all died to protect me, and still I kept up hope.
I should have stayed but I ran! Running. Always running!" She swore and slammed her fist into the bulkhead. "It was Organa who told me they were dead. But because I live and because of what I stand for and will always stand for, I'm a threat. I'm sorry if I put you and your friends in danger."
Kara felt bad. She had never really fought for anything, all she had done her life was avoid and run. She ran from home, she ran from the law, she ran from the Empire, she ran from jobs, alcohol, drugs, spice, crime, gangs, and so many other things. It was natural for her to run, and now she met someone who had put it all on the line, someone who had done the right thing, and had run just once, and felt bad about themselves.
Kara put her hand on Kaida's shoulders.
"Kaida, everyone here is running from something, you shouldn't feel so bad about what you have done. It is not your fault, it is the Empire that has done all of this. I know that a drug addict and junkie like me may not be the best person to talk to about these things, but let me tell you, what you have done is not shameful, is not a dishonor. You ran to stay alive, to keep the fight for another day, you ran for a good purpose. It's not like you ran simply to hide from problems, you ran to stay alive, its what your family would have wanted you to do..." Kara's voice trailed off as she remembered the day she had run from home, kicked out of the local higher education institution for selling spice to other students. "If you knew the reasons people like me run, you would feel much better about yourself."
Kara's hand began to twitch and shake... she was getting urge again, the urge to pull out a deathstick, and let herself slip away from the problems of the world. She stopped herself, but knew that she couldn't fully get away from the vice.
"How about we go back to my cabin and finish talking, I have a nice Corellian Whiskey that I've been hiding away."
Kaida blinked at Kara. Who was this woman she had literally bumped into on Bespin, who had set her feet onto the path that led to her joining this odd-ball crew? Kara. True, she was a loud-mouth, reckless, know-it-all, and a druggie to boot. But now this was something different. Kaida had been so wrapped up in her own problems, she hadn't seen others clearly. There was a lesson somewhere there.
That hard exterior Kara built up so carefully was cast aside for a brief instant, and Kaida thought she saw the real Kara. A woman not so very much unlike herself. There was friendship offered and empathy shared.
Kaida gave a ragged sigh, and grasped Kara's hand on her shoulder. "A drink? I'd like that. A small one anyway. How about a deal?" she gave a genuine smile. One she hadn't felt in how many days? "How about we both stop running? How about we both take a stand. I'll help you if you help me."
:ooc: Yeah, kinda sappy. Oh well. :roll:
Kara nodded.
"I'll help you, but I think what you are running from is much different from what I run from. You run from evil, I run because I have demons. And if I don't get that drink in me soon, the demons are going to come calling."
Kara headed back to her bunk, where she reached under her mattress and pulled out a box, she typed in a code and opened... revealing the bottle, she pulled it out quickly hoping that Kaida wouldn't notice the deathsticks she had inside, or at least wouldn't know what they were.
She poured two small glasses and gave one to Kaida. And saluted her with her drink raised in her right hand.
"To taking a stand!" she said somewhat bravely.
:ooc:
As a side thought, it might make sense to have the two ladies in the same room, especially seeing as the rest of the crew are men/robots/strange alien thingies. :P
"To taking a stand!"
Kaida took a tentative sip. She really wasn't much of a drinker and never had anything harder than wine. The drink burned going down, but it was only a sip so instead of gasping and wheezing, she turned the grimace into a grin and set the glass down.
:ooc: Perception check to see if she sees the death sticks. If successful then... she'll say the bit below. If not, she'll just talk with Kara getting to know her, etc until the meeting in the next thread.
Rolled 1d20+9 : 13 + 9, total 22
"I promised I'd help you stop running," her smile faded but not her friendship. "Are you ready to leave those demons behind? Why don't you give me those death sticks?" She held out her hand never taking her eyes off Kara, her tone completely serious.
:ooc: This is gonna be good. Kara going through withdrawls and getting the jitters right before the assault on the prison. ;D
:ooc: Kara will need to roll an opposed Stealth [Conceal Item] with the DC set to Kaida's Perception roll result.
:ooc:
Stealth check (this will be a nat 20 as opposed to the actual important roll)
Stealth +11
Rolled 1d20+11 : 7 + 11, total 18
"Frack" Kara said as she looked down at the deathsticks, it was all she had except the one other she had hidden away. Once this stash was gone, they would be gone for good. She'd have one more hit, but that would be it.
She sighed and held out the box for Kaida to take...
:ooc:
This may explain the whole issue on Tantau II and Kara's piloting.
Kaida tossed the contents into the incinerator and beamed. She got up, patted Kara on the arm and left. Out the door she turned her head, "I'm proud of you. That's a hard first step. You'll be fine, though. Just might not want to do any precision piloting on the Aegis when the jitters hit."
The moment Kaida left the room Kara poured herself a very large drink and started drinking... she was disgusted with herself, letting that much credits worth of deathsticks go.
:ooc: This was some very nice roleplaying guys!