Topic: RPG: Age of Skywalker

"Simple... we get ourselves captured." The blond smiled as she piloted the freighter to exit Coruscant's upper atmosphere.

Just then Tanis looked out the cockpit and into space. The fleet of Star Destroyers was already waiting for them.

"Blast..." Tanis said as he placed a hand over his face and sighed. Despite this being the best way to get on the ship, he was never a fan of being captured by the Imperials.

Back in Vader's day, when Tanis would get caught, it was especially nerve racking. Once the Stormtroopers would discover a lightsaber in his possesion, they woukd immediatly inform Lord Vader. And in one particular event, Vader just happened to be in the vicinity when Tanis was captured....

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Prior to the destruction of the Death Star I...

Tanis Ardion is on a Rebel Special Forces mission to Danuta to obtain the Death Star plans. This was the first attempt to steal the plans, one of Jedi Knight Corwin Shelvay's mission. It failed.

Stealth was of the ultimate priority on the mission, so Tanis was the only one infiltrating the Imperial Base the housed the plans. After making it to the Central Core, where the mainframe computer that held the plans were being held, Tanis is locked in the room after his ship was discovered and the base went on lockdown.

Practically a legion of Stormtroopers walked through the door as it opened later while they swept the base looking for him. He was forced to surrender. They confiscated the plans he had downloaded onto a memory disk. A lightsaber was found, and he was taken to Lord Vader, who happened to be in the base inspecting the plans....

The doors on the turbolift hiss open to the observation deck, where Darth Vader stood looking out a window at the barren and desolate Danuta landscape below. Tanis is brought up to Darth Vader, flanked by 6 Stormtroopers and an Imperial Officer. The Imperial Office walks up to Lord Vader.

"He was armed only with this." The officer says and hands Vader Tanis' lightsaber. Vader doesnt move for a few more moments. Lost in thought while staring at the desolate landscape. His breathing was the only sound in the observation deck. A Stormtrooper shifts nervously beside Tanis.

The 7 foot tall black armored Sith Lord slowly turns his head and looks at the lightsaber. He does not pick it up. The officer takes a step back and lowers his hand with the lightsaber still in his hand. Vader turns completely now, and Tanis looks into the red pits of seething hate that were Vader's lenses. Vader's breathing apparatus hisses softly, but ominously.

Vader looks down at Tanis. His anger nearly makes Tanis stumble.

"I am impressed, Jedi. (he breathes) You have lived this long. And before I destroy you, you will reveal any hidden Rebel Bases or any other information that will lead to the oblitheration of the Rebellion." Vader says to Tanis.

Tanis didn't know how he mustered it. he didnt know how he forced it out of his mouth, how it actually escaped his lips.

"Never."

Vader rasies his hand and makes a clenching gesture with his hand. Tanis is lifted off the ground, his windpipe being crushed by the force. His gasps for air contrast Vader's calm breathing. After a few moments of flailing in the air and grasping at his neck, Tanis' vision begins to fade. Vader has not moved an inch while he slowly rips the life force from Tanis.

Tanis looks at the horrified Imperial Officer and at the lightsaber in his shaking hand. Tanis looks once more at Vader, and Vader tilts his head in a puzzled manner so slightly it is barely noticable.

'He is about to attempt an escape...' Vader thinks.

Tanis force pushes Vader and Vader is sent flying through the window of the observation deck. The broken glass flys everywhere. Tanis force pulls his lightsaber out of the Officer's hand and he ignites it as he jumps through the hole in the glass where Vader flew through. The Stormtroopers were too late. Red laser bolts flew out the hole in the wide window as Tanis fell to the ground.

The observation deck was 30 stories up a tower, so it was quite a ways down. Tanis saw Vader, who already had his lightsaber out and was using his cape to slow his decent and catch up with Tanis. Tanis and Darth Vader clashed with amazing force during the free fall. They exchanged blows, and Tanis tried as hard as he could to avoid Vader. The green and red blades spun int he air as they fell and soon the barren ground of  Danuta was rushing up to them.

Tanis landed first and used the Force to cushion his fall. He slammed into the ground on his knee and earth flew everywhere. He broke into a run for the giant boulder infront of the base where his ship was hiding behind. Vader landed behind him and it was as if he weighed 10,000 pounds. Tanis had used the Force to cushion his fall, yet Vader used it alternatively. He slammed into the ground with supernatural force and the ground shook and Tanis stumbled. Rocks and chunks of dirt exploded around him as if Darth Vader had been a meteor.

Tanis looked back momentarily and saw Vader slowly rising from the crater he created. Tanis broke into a Force run now and ran around the boulder. 7 Stromtroopers were next to the ship, inspecting it. Tanis quickly dispatched them and ran aboard his YT-2400, the Raider. The ship automatically took off as Tanis ran up the boarding ramp. He stopped and turned to see Vader standing next to the boulder, already out of reach. Vader deactivated his lightsaber, and watched Tanis' ship disappear into space.

Later on the voyage back home, Tanis found and destroyed the tracking device aboard his ship.

------

Now Tanis watched the Star Destroyers bearing down on the ship, reminiscent of the time Darth Vader nearly strangled him to death.

(Somewhat pointless but...Hey why not? :D)

The Anxarta-class Light Freighter exited Coruscant's atmosphere, and immediately attracted the attention of several flights of Predators. The blond woman juked left and flew into position to fire at one of them, reducing it to instant light and debris. Immediately, the commboard registered an incomming transmission.

She smiled as she flipped the switch, "Unidentified Freighter, this is your last chance to reduce your speed and prepare to be escorted."

She smiled again muttering, "Amateurs..." as she flew in towards the massive Vader-class Peacekeeper Flagship, known as The Overlord's Shadow.

The wookie snarled an unpleasant sound.

"I know, Shiv. I know...hey lady. My friend and I thought you wanted to get us captured, not vaporized."

She smiled "Call me Bria, and yes...captured is what we want to be. We're riling them up enough to consider us a real threat. Throw us in a nice cushy brig, maybe."

The wookie crossed his arms and snarled softly. The hooded man shook his head, "Doesn't sound like fun to me either, pal."

Another voice said over the comm, "Pilot, you have been warned."

With that, the ship shuddered violently. Bria folded her arms behind her head and kicked her feet up on the now frozen steering yoke. "Tractor beam," she smiled, "Enjoy your last few seconds of freedom, boys. With the cargo I've got on board, we're all looking at 30 years in Kessel, easy..."

With that, they felt the familiar thud of the Anxarta-class Light Freighter landing in the Shadow's hangar bay.

The peace keepers of Griffins 501st squad blew the doors and stormed into the hangar...Griffin stood...frozen.
"how the hell!?" he exclaimed

it was empty. they had gone.

"Corporal Griffin this is command, we have them in a tractor beam, seems you scared them away or something over"

"roger that command, Griffin standing down. awaiting orders"

His helmet then flashed....<Standing down. mission aborted>

"Squad move back, Alisano send down a dropship to pick us up" Griffin barked as he lay down a green flare.

with that he slung his assault blaster over his shoulder and let out a heavy sigh before taking a cigar out of his utility pouch,

<it might be a victory cigar but god dam it i need it>

with that he ignited it and puffed away....

His team had somewhat failed and succeeded.

Aliyah piloted her Nubian, The Spire, out of hyperspace. She was still about a days travel from Coruscant, but she wasn't going to risk comming out of hyperspace so close to Triple Zero, and get captured as soon as she entered real space. But she had more than enough to think about as she made her approach to the city in search of Master Tanis and felow Jedi Knight Shvaark. Hopefully she could aid the pair and assist them in thier mission to find Master Kharn.

It had been some time after their leader Ferus Olin had died at the hands of Darth Vader himself. But that was only after he had shared a horrible secrete about him to her Master and teacher Garen Muln. He had never spoken of it, but Aliyah knew it was importaint as it had shaken Muln. But that seemed like ages ago, and now the only ones who knew of the asteroids existance were there. Her father had just arrived, with much news of the outside galaxy. It seemed like only bad news. And there was so much to tell. Her mother had died, and the Rebels had seemingly dissapeared from known space anongst many things. There were somethings her father had said that she just didn't understand at the time too.. But he did offer hope. Princess Leia had sent him a coded message, for Aliyah and Master Muln. It was cordinates for the hidden base of her operations. Garen decided that he was too old and frail to travel anymore. Even with the force as his ally he was old and weakening physically.

Her father chose to stay and help with what was left of the base, the very few who remained, and Garen. So Aliyah left to the Unknown regions.

Name: Mi'kal Aruut

Age: Unknown (Possibly late 20's, early 30's)

Species: Human

Appearance:  Blond hair, grey eyes which at times appear to be void of any emotion.  A little taller than the
average human at 6'4".  Lean stature.  Very handsome and has taken advantage of this on multiple missions.

Affiliation: Sith Apprentice to Lumiya

Weapon:  Single Red Lightsaber Blade.  It's more of a deep Crimson.
Lightsaber Style: Master of Djem So.  As Lumiya has a lightwhip she encourages him to choose the unorthodox.  So he developed his own style.  So he holds his lightsaber in a reverse grip.  This results in longer wider sweeps. He relies on surprise for this and quick disarming moves.  he quickly cycles between the two for a deadly attack style.  Recently Lumiya has begin to teach him how to properly channel his anger.  He lashes out quite often and Lumiya believes if he could properly channel his anger he could rival many a Jedi master.

Personality:  As mentioned above is a very violent and angry individual.  He has been to known to act very brashly to a point where a Sith had to tell him to keep his anger down.  Which only made him more angry.  He also employs the classic Sith style of Dun Moch.  Which is a taunting and berating of opponents working towards domination of will.

Ship: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Cutlass-9_patrol_fighter
Lumiya gave him a Stygium crystal which he placed in his ship, The Hssiss.  Stygium enables his ship to be invisible to visible light scanners.  His emissions are still visible. 

Mi'kal floated in orbit just outside the scanner range of The Overlord's Shadow.  Lumiya had instructed him to stay put until she told him "intervention" was needed.  Mi'kal loved intervention.  But for now he tried his best to meditate on the upcoming battle.

WAYWARD SOUL; FIRESPRAY-31 CLASS ASSAULT AND PATROL CRAFT: EXITING KUAT SYSTEM
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Still somewhat furious at having been one-upped by the Trandoshan, I made my final calculations for the jump to hyperspace, once I'd been assured that the Kuat sector was in Peacekeeper hands. I had to act quickly to arrive at Coruscant in time to recieve the data triangulating the traitorous Mandalorian's most probable last known jump coordinates.

How could I have been so naive? It seemed far too easy for them to betray me for possession of Kuat. It had to be the other Mandalorian, somehow they knew him...and what? Gave a better offer? Who in the force forsaken void could they be working for?

I needed answers, but first...Skywalker. I was late for our rendezvous...

The small group of starships dropped out of hyperspace simultaneously at the agreed upon coordinates, a randomly chosen spot in the void of space.

Ralin had spent most of the short trip tending to his wounded leg.  Solus had offered him the use of the medical equipment he carried on board his ship, but Drakus refused it.  His own supplies were sufficient, and no need to take a chance.  The `medical supplies` could be laced with anything.  Although such a possibility was faint, he wouldn’t take any chances until he knew Solus better.   

Moving up into the cockpit area with his host, Ralin could see the other ships tighten up on his wings, including the Blood Hawk, which was piloting itself. 

"We`re all here" Ma`ryk`s voice crackled over the com.  "In case any of you didn`t notice, our ships were bugged before takeoff.  I got all of them out of my ship.  You all better double check yours before we make our next move."

Ralin had picked several of the tracking bugs out of Solus`s ship during the flight, but hadn’t had time to fully sweep the craft of them yet.  “Good idea.  And speaking of our next move, where are we headed for?  Mandalore is a good spot, as well as Tatooine or Geonosis.  Is there somewhere better we can take refuge so we can plan our next move?”

*I don’t really care where we go.  Mandalore makes the most sense I think, and if we get a new player who wants to play as a Mandalorian we can pic you up.  But if we can make it more fun to go somewhere else that’s fine with me*

((Tatooine would be good, if slightly overused in terms of plot device :P.  However, being such a backwater planet, it would make sense to go there.  People of every kind wind up in that area.  Prolem being , most wil sell you out for a couple credits.  I don't care where we go either.))

Ma'ryk reclined in Stingray's pilot chair.  Sensors were working well, and with the bugs gone, he was the most dangerous thing to Starjammer: Unpredictable.  However, dealing with Force-users never resulted in the way one wanted it to, and he had to remember to take their abilities into account.  At the moment, though, he was too busy analysing the suggested hideout locations.

"Coruscant is a definite 'no', Drakus," Ma'ryk said with a grin.  "I heard Tatooine's nice and warm this time of year.  But then, so is Geonosis.  And on the other hand, I haven't been to Madalore for ages.  All this talking amounts to: I am undecided, in that I don't mind any of them.  Just don't send us into Skywalker Central, eh, vod"

*i'm not sure what kind of defense system is up around Coruscant at this juncture. This is why I'm unsure partically of what to post. Is it similar to whats around during Shadows of the Empire? I'm also unsure of where her fellow jedi are, so that I may start searching. I'm sorry I'm being such a pain.*

"Can do." Solus couldn't help but to laugh, Skywalker was the last person he wanted to see. "Tatooine is the sheb hole of the Galaxy, and crawling with Peacekeeper spies for sure...Geonosis is rather devoid...all that's there are the remains of the old CIS factories and the local insect inhabitants. Mandalore, on the other hand, isn't a bad choice."  Besides, I should  probably get back and see the wife... He glanced over to the other ship's cockpits, they all shrugged. Solus comfortably leaned back in his seat.

"Your call, Drakus."

(Si, as far as Coruscant's defenses, picture the Empire at the height of its power, and a few extras including the presence of a flagship twice the size of an Imp Duece-star *Imperial Super Star Destroyer*...as far as where Tanis and Shiv are currently, if you choose to follow the story we talked about, you tracked them as far as Coruscant, when the trail went cold...:D. Any other questions? )

((Don't forget the eclipse :P))

Oh yeah...that too...lol

“Your call, Drakus” said Solus over his shoulder, though leaving the com on for all to hear. 

“Mandalore it is, then.  We can rest and refit there, and then get down to working out next move.”

He didn’t mention it, but it was obvious that one of the first points of planing their next move was deciding what to do about Solus and his other passenger. 

After watching the ships dart into hyperspace and then seeing Solus's craft launch itself into the hyperspace tunnel after them, he returned to the hold and sat on the bunk across from Kuat.  Folding his arms, he leaned back against the bulkhead.  Ralin stared back at Kuat, who was no longer trying to avoid the pircing T-visor as he had during the trip to get here. 

“What did Starjammer want with you?” Ralin wondered as closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

Aliyah landed on an older landing pad in a particularlly old section of the city. The falsified landing codes and hyperspace navagation had done their job perfectly and she was now planetside.  She did what she could to supressed he force imprint, as she would as long as she was on Coruscant. The risk of those working for Skywalker and the New Imperial Order was too great to risk it. But she knew in her heart that it couldn't last. Skywalker who once walked the light would find his way to return. Aliyah had no choice but top believe that it could be done.

She walked away from The Spire and deeper into the city's underworld. There still were many citizens who longed for better and happier times. Off in the distance she could see the remains of the old Jedi Temple and the Sentate building,both left standing vacant as testimony to the power of the Imperical Order and the Galatic Empire before them. Aliyah felt small and lost in the vastness of the planet and its inhabitants, but she walked on, heading towards the Orange district. She was hoping that there was still those friendly to the cause amongst the orange lights. Perhaps.

(ooc: 'Empire' is now 'New Imperial Order'...just a reminder...)

Ralin’s eyes snapped open as the short range alarm sounded inside his ear-piece.  Without moving from his sitting position, he watched as Kuat walked cautiously by him, returning from the refresher at the other end of the room.  As the other man got back into his bunk and pulled the sheets over his shoulder, Ralin quietly unfolded his arms and moved to the cockpit again.

Climbing the ladder up to the control station, Ralin could see Solus turn his head slightly to regard him as he entered.  “Can’t sleep?” asked Solus as he righted his pilot’s seat from the leaned back position he’d been relaxing in.

“Just woke up.  How long until we get home?”  Drakus was almost surprised at how he let himself slip and say “home” instead of the more generic ‘Mandalore’ or ‘destination.’  Maybe I am homesick…..

“A few hours still” said Solus after making a quick check.

Leaning against the back of Solus’s chair, Ralin surveyed the controls and readings.  He’d never seen a craft like this one; very impressive…….and deadly.

“So, how do you know Cabur?”

"Ah, long story." Solus reached over to a control knob and dimmed the cockpit canopy, the swirling starlight made him a bit nauseous. "Found her on Onderon when she was very young, and I myself was a bit younger. I lived on Dxun at the time, making routine supply runs there for parts and other much needed equipment. One run I found that her so-called 'parents' were drunks from a local cantina in Iziz, spending what little credits they had on booze." ...da'buir... Solus thought. "I do know they were later arrested for theft and embezzlement. Cabur *attempted* to sneak onto my ship soon afterwards...I felt pity twords her and took her in...and that pity seems to have come back to save my shebs. Funny thing though, she has never spoken of her blood parents..."

“Honorable of you to take her from that; probably saved her life.”

“Yeah; she was in rough shape.  But she was strong for one so young, and feisty for such a little thing” Solus said with an obvious grin behind his T-visor.

“She hasn’t lost that” Drakus agreed.  “She has much respect for you.  You raised her yourself?”

Ma'ryk was quickly realizing the folly of having a ship that had most controls automated.  There was nothing for him to do to spend his time.  He was forced to continually relax, and he was sure that he had already caught up on every second of sleep that he had missed earlier.  So he used his time to clean his armour, weapons, ship, and whatever else he could think of.  It would be a while yet before they arrived at Mandalore, and he wanted to make sure that his arrival there wouldn't be in some rust-bucket.  And he hoped that he wouldn't be wearing a rusty body bucket, either.  So he busied himself in his cleaning, polishing, and analyzing what data he had uncovered about the New Imperial Order in his spare time.  It wasn't important, but he was sure that in time, his research would bring up some...interestng tidbits of information.  Until then, he'd keep trying.

WAYWARD SOUL: FIRESPRAY-31 CLASS ASSAULT AND PATROL CRAFT: REVERSION IN CORUSCANT SPACE
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

I arrive in system and am immediately transmitted the report I demanded as I left Kuat. I read the data quickly and am highly displeased by the outcome. It appears as though the group was tracked only as far as the Fondor system, and then somehow lost by the task force assigned to tracking their destination. I immediately contact Captain Yonka of the fleet assigned to secure Kuat's reclamation via holonet.

He looks uncomfortable as his image resolves on screen. With my full garb on I exude intimidation and anger.

"Uh...High Inquisitor Starjammer...It's a pleasure to hear fro-"

"Captain Yonka, I've just received the report from the task force you assigned to track the mercenaries and Kuat of Kuat. I'm displeased."

"Ah-uh...ummm, well we c-can assure you that we're still working hard to discern the groups most likely course of trav-"

"No need Captain. I want you to prepare your task force for reassignment."

"Reassignment, Sir?"

"Yes, Captain, they'll be sent here to the Overlord's Shadow, reassigned to the Gammorean Refresher Station Maintenance crews. Effective immediately."

"But...but, High Inquisitor, the fleet here is in need of all the competent crew personnel we can muster..."

"If they were as competent as you say, they would've hidden those tracking devices better, Captain. Make the transfer. Do not fail me again. I expect results next time."

"But...but High Inquisitor, with what task force shall we track them?"

"Something will be arranged, Captain."

With that I deactivated the Holonet link. It was time to meet with Skywalker...

"Not alone, my wife Vey'liin had a major influence on her. Tough as Beskar, both of them..." Solus drifted off into silence for a moment, thinking of past memories...

((If you'd like me to add more I will, but I must sleep now.))

Mi'kal calmy watched the ship jump from hyperdrive not 100 yards away from him.  The ripples caused his ship to buckle but he din't dare turn on the engines at this close.  The Firespray gently floated towards The Overlord's Shadow.  Mi'kal wasn't sure what to do.  So he sent out a cry for help to Lumiya through the Force.  He hoped that she had defeaned the Force Senses of those around her...

((Not neccessarily Starjammer...))
-------

Shiv was following Lumiya when a faint cry reached his mind.  It was a very muted cry.  But it caused him to pause.  He looked to Tanis but he gave no recignition of either hearing anything.  But that was just Tanis.  Something was up.

((Sorry if I took some liberties with the Force.  And again I have no idea where we are so if need be I can edit.))

((Shiv, Tanis, and Lumiya were pulled aboard the Overlord's Shadow by tractor beam... if you remember...

That was where you guys last were as far as Lumiya... As far as the Force call, thats fine...just EDIT to compensate that either you and Tanis have escaped search somehow *without Lumiya, or Bria as she calls herself,* or are being prepped for transfer to prison cells pending a search...keep in mind you're in the belly of the beast...:D))

I'm heading out towards space away from Coruscant, to prepare for my exit to the next set of rendezvous coordinates to meet with Skywalker, when I feel a faint cry in the force...

A warning call...coming from somewhere nearby...very close...interesting...

I tell Glitch to run a full spectrum sensor sweep in a tight knit active scanning formation. He informs me that there are several anomolous readings in a couple of areas, but that with all the space traffic in this area its difficult to discern anything specific.

"I see, thank you Glitch..." I say as I stretch out my mind in the force in much the same way as the Wayward Soul's scanners, and pass over the echo left like a trail in the force. It's fragile and threatens to dwindle away. Yet I hold firmly, and slide along the thread of thought like a silent serpent in search of my prey. I can feel my anticipation rise and am vaguely aware of Scratch's notice of my predatory search. He knows I'm hunting and remains silent. Then I feel it. At the end of the thread is a mind that is wrapped in shadow. A predator like myself, but anxious and nervous. I smile as I slip in and find a single name before his mind slams down like a vice on my own, throwing me violently out of it.

I am slammed equally violently into my seat and make haste to return to The Overlord's Shadow.

Who is Lumiya?...

“Her skills are admirable; you and your wife did well.”

“Thanks.  We’ll be dropping from hyperspace in a minute.  Better check on our passenger and make sure he’s strapped in.”

Ralin sensed Solus’s lack of information to his questions was a signal that it was a private issue.  He wanted to know how they had separated, but that would be even more intrusive.  A question for another time when they knew each other better; if they were together long enough for it to matter.

Stepping into the passenger hold, Ralin turned to Kuat of Kuat.  “Strap in; we’re coming out of hyperspace” he said as he took a firm hold of the handles on each side of the ladder leading to the command deck…..

*K CA; you can post dropping out of hyperspace as discussed.  I not very familiar with Keldabe, so if anybody else wants to post entering the space port there and what we first see, please post it; we can go to a bar, hotel, where ever.

P.S.  Whoever posts dropping out of hyperspace, it might be a good affect to be intersepted by some of the Mandalorian SuperCommandos before we get cleared to land.  Just a tip.  Maybe we can get a cameo for Fenn Shysa and/or Tobbi Dala   :D *

Cabur opened her eyes, she had dosed off for a while back but a blinking light from the corner off the HUD like glasses told her it was time to make the calculations for the jump out of hyperspace.  She guided the Phantom as smooth as possible out of hyperspace as thousands of stars appeared.  She saw the others ships appear on her side, as they approached the giant planet of Mandalore.  She sighed, glad to be back.  The last time she had been here was when she was still in Solus's training...Cabur cut the memory short, not quite sure she wanted to think about that at the moment, although the memories had been playing in her head for most of the trip.

The planet loomed ever closer as the other bounty hunters guided their ships.  They had already decided that they were to go to the space port in Keldabe and continue from there.

A loud and sharp voice came over the comm as a few ships came from the planet to intercept them.  "Unknown pilots, state your name and purpose."...

(hope this okay, I'll fix the mistakes as they are do to being in a really blonde state and having no caffeine :P)

"Unknown pilots, state your name and purpose" came a very authoritative voice over Solus’s com as three StarViper fighters appeared off their port side. 

“ Su'cuy ner’vod” responded Ma’ryk.  “Four Mando’ade returning home for some R&R.  Also our partner, Dussk in the Serpent's Blood.”

The com went silent for a moment, then crackled back to life.  ”Roger that, your ships are all registered in our data banks other then your partner’s.  Do you vouch for him?”

”I do” came Cabur’s voice over the com. 

”Very well.  Proceed on present course.”

”Affirmative Ma’ryk said as his comm went dead.

Ralin watched from behind Solus as they drifted lower into their landing orbit.  As soon as the red glow from the fiery entry into the planet’s atmo subsided, he gazed down on the green jungle of Mandalore……..home.

The white city of bone quickly appeared on the horizon.  He had been raised in an outlying settlement, but had visited Keldabe often as he’d grown older.  It had changed little since he’d been away; little in the thousands of years it had stood. 

Setting down on the landing pad, he watched out a side port-hole as the Blood-Hawk set down nearby.  Turning off the air filters to his helmet as he stepped out of Solus’s craft, he breathed in the air.  It was mixed with the fumes of any space port, but he didn’t care.  It was Mandalore…….it was home.

Collecting his thoughts, Ralin joined the others on the landing pad.  “We have much to discuss.  There’s a cantina nearby that I used to visit.  It’s quiet enough, and private.  Unless one of you has a better place?”  Looking around, none volunteered a spot.  “All right, lets go.” 

Careful to let Solus and Kuat go ahead of him, Ralin followed the others down the elevated landing pad and then down a street.  As they neared the cantina, Ralin allowed himself to aimlessly look about the street and those walking down it.  As he walked passed Dussk, who’d stopped for some reason, he recalled visiting some of these same shops as a child with his mother.  It was so strange looking around and seeing others in Mandalorian armor.  And not just Mando, but many other kinds of armor, weapons, and……..

Drakus snapped from his daydreaming when he noticed something completely out of place.  A new building down on the far end of the street.  The distinctive banner of the Peacekeeper army hung over it, and black clad troopers stood guard at its entrance. 

Dussk had seen it first, and then the others about the same time as Ralin.  Now standing just outside the cantina, Ralin moved up to a Mandalorian armor clad warrior who had a long, flowing red cape with kama and other decorations hanging from his belt and shoulders.

“Su'cuy Mando, I ask a moment of your time.”

The other Mando didn’t say anything, and the gaze from his crimson red visor seemed to be sizing Ralin up.

“How long has the Peacekeeper filth been squatting on Mando soil?”

The question seemed to loosen the warrior up.  “Over a year now.”  The Mando’s voice seemed young, but even and confident.  “Just a station where they house trade goods that are headed off planet, but they decided a show of FORCE was necessary for the locals.  Small bunch, but they think they’re pretty good.  Don’t even scare the kids here, though.”

Ralin grinned behind his mask, and was about to bid the Mando a good day, when a voice called out……….

“YOU THERE!  FREEZE!!!”

*This ok V_M?  We weren't sure about the PeaceKeeper presense on Mandalore or exactly what it looks like there now.  I know it was a jungle world, but if that's changed or anything else is wrong give me a heads up and I/we can edit*

Dussk had positioned himself between the others and the Peacekeepers, he pulled his lightsaber from his belt, and activated it, the distinctive snap-hiss of a lightsaber activating filling the air. "JEDI!" One of the soldiers yelled, and Dussk couldn't help but grin inwardly at the assumption. A shot jumped from one of the Peacekeeper's guns, and Dusk twirled the saber, deflecting it back towards them. 15 meters.  More shots, the others were returning fire. 10 meters.  They began to scatter, combat instincts taking over. 5 meters.Dussk leaped forward, decapitating a soldier and kicking another back. More began to pour from the compound. The unknown mando had pulled a modified EE-3 from his side and was shooting at the Peacekeepers.

Dusk turned, reinforcements had arrived for the Peacekeepers. A group had split off, and were charging Cabur. He threw his lightsaber  at one of them and charged.  He pulled the vibrosword from his back and impaled another, He spun, backhanding one of them. Another drew a short sword and hacked at Dussk. The vibroblade hit his arm, severing everything below the elbow. Dussk yelled in pain, allowing the anger to fuel him. He ripped the vibrosword from the soldier he had impaled, who had now only just fallen to his knees, and blocked a strike that would have killed him. Another trooper lunged at him, embedding a knife in his chest.  Another charged, stabbing him again, in the abdomen. Dussk fell to his knees, and looked up. A trooper stood above him, preparing for a killing blow. "You loose." Dussk hissed, and held up the device in his hand. A thermal detonator was in his hand, activated. The troopers paused, then reacted "THERMAL DETONATOR! DOWN!" one yelled and they dived away. To late.

The massive explosion knocked most everyone down.  Ralin couldn’t take the time to admire the bravery of the Trando.  He rolled back to his feet, his twin blaster pistols out and firing.  The group that had been all around Dussk were all down, but more and more troops were pouring out of the Peacekeeper building. 

A report from a blaster just behind Ralin sounded, sending a trooper down.  Looking over his shoulder, the Mando in the red cape had his blaster leveled and had joined the fray.  Looking around, Ralin saw that many other bystanders were also joining.

I think we’ve just started a revolution……

Name:Kell
Gender, Species: Male, Human (mandalorian)
Age:21
Occupation: Bounty Hunter/Mercenary
Appearance:About 6'2", muscular(hes a mando after all :P) Hair isn't too long, about down to his shoulders, dark brown, gray eyes.
Personality: Usually calm, but can become reckless at moments. Skilled fighter, slightly force sensitive.

Armor:http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff78/Adeptus_Astartes/MandoLord.jpg Kama and capes are slightly tattered on the end, Kama/loin cloth thingy have a blue lining, matching the color of his armor..

Weapons: EE-3 Carbine, modified, giving it an expendable stock in place of the normal stock, linking the scope to his HUD, and the like. Two Renegade Heavy Blaster Pistols. Predator Style wrsitblades (Like on all my other mandos)

Equipment: Grappling hook thingy, rebreather mask.

Kell turned quickly, the Trandoshan was holding something, and the stormtroopers dived away, yelling. The Trandoshan exploded, killing the soldiers around him. The force of the blast threw Kell back a few feet. He landed hard, and almost immediately there were Peacekeeper on him. A metal cylinder was just in reach, he grabbed it and pressed a button on it. A yellow blade jumped from the hilt, and he cut down the troopers around him, rising.
Someone fired a portable missile launcher, it streaked towards the Peacekeeper base, punching through the wall and detonating inside. More and more Mandalorians charged towards the Peacekeepers, and soon they were pushed back. Within minuets, they were all dead. 

Kell deactivated the saber and hooked it on his belt. The Mandalorians he suspected the Peacekeepers were after were all near, their prisoner was sitting against a wall, being watched by one of them. The nearest to him was the girl, she hadn't been wearing a helmet, she could be hurt. He walked over, she had been close to the Trandoshan when he blew up, she had been thrown quite far. She was getting up, looking around, the blast had obviously disoriented her. "Are you allright?"

The force of the blast had thrown Cabur back hard.  She lay there for a minute, not remembering what had just occurred, only knowing that every inch of her body ached.  She recognized the familiar taste of blood in her mouth as she reached a hand up to a gash just below her right eye.  I really should consider a full HUD, she thought to herself, now trying to get to her feet.

Cabur looked around at the scene, still unable to recall the last few moments.  Peacekeeper bodies lay all around them, and she remembered something about the peacekeepers attacking them.  An unfamiliar  mandolorian walked up to her, "Are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes," she stated, not entirely truthfully.  "Where is Dussk?" she asked, looking around and not seeing the trandoshan, who should have stood out quite clear amongst all the mandolorians.  And then all memory came rushing back, Dussk being attacked, him sacrificing himself, the explosion.  She was frozen in shock, and realization that her partner's death was her own fault.  If she had refused to let him come with her, he would still be alive and well.  She stood there, not knowing how much time had passed by.  She felt sick with guilt and was still shocked at the events that had transpired...

"The Trandoshan? Hes.....gone. He killed all of those Peacekeepers." Kell said, gesturing towards the crater the grenade had left, near it was half of a peacekeeper helmet, melted from the blast. "They were headed for you." He said, looking around. Satisfied that there were no snipers present he reached up and removed his helmet. He shook his head quickly, looking around at the world without the enhanced view his helmet provided him. "Are you sure your ok, you look like you got hit pretty hard."

"Yeah, I'm fine. Dussk, the Trandoshan, he had a lightsaber, have you seen it?"

Kell nodded, he grabbed the lightsaber and handed it to the girl.

"Thank you...."

"I'm Kell."

She nodded, "Cabur."

Looking around at the carnage, Ralin holstered his blasters as several Mandos stormed the warehouse and finished off the survivors. 

Looking at the blackened mark on the street where Dussk had fallen, Ralin walked up to Cabur. 

“You hurt?” he asked, knowing it wasn’t physical pain she was feeling.

“He’s gone” she barely was able to whisper.  “And it’s my fault….”

Ralin grabbed her shoulder and spun her around to face him.  “ENOUGH of that talk” he snapped.  “He died with Great Honor fulfilling his duty.  We should all be so lucky as to die in such a way.”  Solus walked up and put a more soothing had on her shoulder.  “Remember what we taught you about the Honored fallen?”

“Yes” say said, holding back a tear.  “Not gone, just marched far away….”

Ralin put his fist to his heart for respect to the dead.  “Come inside; we still have much to talk about….”

The Mando in the long crimson cape stepped up and blocked the entrance to the cantina. 

“OSIK!!!” the Mandalorian exclaimed.  “You might have just brought us to war with Skywalker and the Peacekeeper army!  Why did they try to take you??  What the HELL is going on???”

Ralin stiffened and faced off with the angery Mando.  “It was not our intention to bring harm to our home.  Mandalore is Mother to us all.  But we did not ask for your help, appreciated thought it is.  If hard times come as a result of this action, I will do all in my power to see that the blame falls on myself and my small group.”

The other Mando again seemed to size up Ralin; trying to weigh how much truth he thought there was in the other’s statement.  “Why were they hunting you?”

“Come inside with us, I’ll tell you……”

Xan was quick, and strong, but the Jedi had an unnatural advantage. He blocked another swipe, then slammed the electrostaff into the Jedi's chest, the weapon had been modified, it stored energy, then discharged it in a burst, this launched the jedi back slamming him into the far wall.

--

Kharn hit the wall, but recovered quickly,  and drew his lightsaber again. He blocked more strikes from the droid, and hit the thing with a force push, sending it into a pile of crates

Solus turned slightly and nodded to Kuat, motioning him into the cantina behind the others. He could do nothing but wonder why Kuat was so important, or why even Thrawn wanted him. Unless the cloning secret had gotten out...No matter, back to the task at hand. Kuat followed Ralin into the cantina, with Solus directly behind. The doorman gave sort of a chuckled grunt upon seeing Kuat in his gold trimmed tunic, complete with matching earings. This was going to be interesting. The 6 of them walked through the near empty cantina, finding a large booth in the front with a window, getting confused, interested looks from the few patrons that were there. They all sat down, getting as comfortable as they could fully-clad in armor.

"Back to buisness."

Kell followed the other Mandalorians in, they took an unoccupied booth and they began to tell him why they were being followed. They explained the Trandoshan, their prisoner, and some other things. After they had finished explaining their situation, Kell nodded. "Not very smart to cross an Inquisitor, I've heard that they can have a man executed just for looking at them wrong. Not even close to what we can do, but they can do it legally. I guess the fact you told me all this means I'm coming with you then? Or are you just telling me this for my entertainment?"

The Overlord's Shadow: Orbit over Coruscant
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Bria ran down the corridor junction at a rapid pace. She had been careful to avoid detection by Peacekeeper soldiers early on, after disposing of the prison detail that had been assigned to escort her to a nice cushy brig. After helping the Jedi and his Wookie apprentice escape their cells, she had managed to give them the slip. She kept herself shrouded in the Force as best she could. She had heard rumors that although Skywalker was not currently onboard, one of his Inquisitors was in the process of interrogating a prisoner believed to be a force user.

"Kharn...after all this time...I've finally tracked you down".

She'd also managed to acquire information that Skywalker's own High Inquisitor was to arrive very soon, and she'd hoped to be done before his arrival, which could prove to complicate things even more. It wasn't so long ago that she'd received an emergency call of urgency in the force, that could only have come from her secret apprentice, Mi'kal. She wasn't exactly happy that he'd given up his hidden position, but she knew him well enough to know that it could only mean one thing. Someone else had arrived. It could only be one person...High Inquisitor Starjammer. She couldn't help smile at herself to imagine matching abilities with Skywalker's equivalent of Darth Vader, at least that was how she imagined the High Inquisitor.

When she'd first heard of him, she'd used some of her old Imperial contacts to try and learn what she could of him. Unfortunately, somehow the High Inquisitor had absolutely no background in any database registry before Skywalker had transformed the First Galactic Empire into his New Imperial Order. As a former Imperial Intelligence agent, she found the lack of information...unsettling.

She heard a grunt and a loud thud against a wall a couple of corridors down, then the unmistakable sound of lightsaber parries against a flurry of attacks, then another grunt and an impact against multiple objects, possibly supply crates. She pulled out her weapon and activated the archaic lightwhip as she rounded the corner...

Xan turned quickly, newcomer. Female. Armed. Weapon was a lightwhip. She flicked her wrist. Hostile. Xan dodged, if he blocked she could disarm him. The Jedi lept forward, using the opening that Xan's dodge had created. Xan spun, kicking the Jedi in the chest, the force of it launching him back a few feet. The woman, she appeared on his hud as Lumiya, attacked again. Xan blocked, but twisted his staff, and managed to avoid disarmament. Oddly, she didn't show up as biological, for the most part anyway "You are augmented." Xan said.

Lumiya smiled.

"I wasn't aware Skywalker's little Empire was desperate enough to dress up an obsolete piece of ancient junk and call it an Inquisitor."

She flipped her wrist into a snap motion and several of her lightwhip's strands snapped in different directions. The barbed strands scraped loudly against the durasteel alloy plate covering his wrist, while some of the lightsaber strands burned deep gouges into his armored fingers.

"Look who's talking about augmentation, Tinny. That strike should've severed your hand."

She backpedalled as the IG droid stepped in with a couple of retalliatory strikes of his own, moving to cover the Jedi as he rose up again slightly disoriented. The other girl seemed terrified enough to run. The Jedi must've seen it, because he yelled out.

"Kirah No!"

Lumiya leaped over another of the Inquisitor's strikes and landed to cover the unarmed girl.

Interesting...He wants to protect her...maybe I can win some favor for helping keep her safe...

Cabur felt slightly ashamed of herself, but she still couldn't get over a small nagging in the back of her mind that Dussk's death remained at least partially her fault.  She followed the rest of her team and the Mandolorian who had given her Dussk's lightsaber into the cantina.  They sat down at a booth, ignoring the few patron's interested looks.    Drakus began to tell the other mando, Kell, about everything.  Cabur listened silently as the story was told, occasionally glancing at Kell to see his reaction.

When the whole story had been told to him, Kell finally asked the question that Cabur herself had been wondering about.  "I guess the fact that you told me all this means I'm coming with you then?  Or are you just telling me this for my entertainment?" 

Cabur looked up at Ralin, who was apparently thinking over the question.  "I'm not so sure," Ralin replied.  "We still don't know if we can truly trust you, and besides, do you even have a ship?"

Cabur cut across Ralin's statement.  "Well, we have told him everything, so either we can kill him," Kell recoiled slightly, "or we could just take him with us."

Kell blinked. Fortunately the others seemed to have a sense of humor, that made them easier to work with. "I'll come with you." He said "But I don't have a ship." The mando who seemed to be the leader nodded " That could be a problem..." Cabur cut across him again  "Not necessarily, my ship has enough room, he could come with me," she paused for a moment " as long as he doesn't mind being attached to the outside of the hull." Kell grinned, but his expression was blocked by his helmet. "Just give me a few heaters, I'll be fine."

Tanis peered around the corner... nothing.

Her turned into the empty hallway and motioned Shiv to follow. The wookie had been surprisingly stealthy.

They needed to find Kharn, which had been proving to be quite difficult. THen they needed to find a way off this ship...which probably be even worse. But Tanis kept his mind on the present at the moment. He would worry about escape later.

ksssss

A door open behind them. Tanis nodded to Shiv and the wookie Jedi sped straigh to the door and as a Peacekeeper walked out Shiv grabbed his helmet and jerked his head around 180 degrees. Shiv looked into the room the Peacekeeper had just walked out of...it was a small bathroom. He couldnt leave the body in there. It could be found. He popped a panel open in the hallway and shoved the limp body inside and pushed the panel back on. The wookie looked back at Tanis, he hadn't been watching. Tanis had become all too familiar with the strength and aggresiveness of wookies during his time on Kashyyyk.

Tanis had kept the look out and Shiv came up behind him after disposing the Peacekeeper. Shiv nodded to Tanis and they continued sneaking through the ship.

Kell stood up. "I'll let you keep discussing your plans and the like. I want to visit some places before we go." Kell began to walk.  He stepped outside, a group of Mandalorians were busy moving the bodies. He could feel the death here, and he hated himself for it. The force was a disgrace, it made him feel weak, but he had come to rely on it in times of need.  He continued walking, not really going anywhere. Eventually he felt a presence behind him, he had his helmet off so he couldn't see without tuning his head. It felt familiar, recently familiar. He made an effort not to reach out and find out who it was. Instead he put on his helmet, the 360 degree view it gave him revealed the person following him. He came to a stop and turned, nodding. "Cabur."

Cabur looked after Kell who was leaving the booth.  She had a burning desire to know where he was going, but stayed with her team mates until they began to order some small drinks and talk over different things.  When at last, she could take it no longer, Cabur looked back at the others apologetically and then slipped out of the bar after Kell. 

She found him walking up the streets and decided to follow him for a bit, but the other seemed to realize this, for he turned around and came to a stop.  "Cabur," he said, nodding.

"Kell," she nodded back at him.  "I didn't know if I might be able to accompany you to where ever it is that you're going?"

"Of course," he replied as they began to set off down the street again.  After a few minutes had gone by, he looked back at her, "You sure you're alright, I mean about the Trandoshan and everything?"

"Yeah, well, actually no, not really," she responded.  "I still can't get over this feeling that it was my fault, if I had just told him not to come with us, none of this would have happened.  I know, it's not really in the Mando way and that he died an honorable death, but I can't help it."

Kell slowed down, turning to face Cabur. "It's not your fault. If you had told him to stay he still would have followed you. He died a good death. He took his own killers with him, instead of falling back. He honored his life-debt. You shouldn't feel bad about him. He died trying to keep you alive, and I doubt he would enjoy you feeling bad about it."

She looked away, seemingly uncomfortable.

Kell decided to change the subject. "I wasn't really going anywhere. I just wanted to walk around a bit before we left."

Cabur looked around, taking in the sights. "I'm not exactly sure how long were going to stay, the others were just relaxing, and I decided to go out here, and look around some."

Kell nodded, "I know what you mean. I haven't been of planet for a while, I wonder when we leave."

(Ok...RD's turn :P)

((OK I have a post in mind... esp since there now some action with my fellow jedi and force users. Finally I'm honestly jumping into action :D Its just that I don't have time to post it now, as I'm running off to job number 2. With luck and the force on my side I'll post/ edit tonight.))

Xan blocked a strike from behind, spinning the electro staff up and knocking the Jedi's weapon away. He spun his staff, and the Kharn ducked it, pulling his saber back to him. He dodged, blocking a strike from Lumiya. He utilized the magnetic manipulators in his hands and shoved her back, causing her to slam against the wall. He ducked a swipe at his head, spinning around and hitting Kharn in the abdomen with his electrostaff hard. Perhaps to hard he thought, as the weapon punched through the jedi's abdomen. The jedi stopped, dropping the lightsaber and slowly looking down at the weapon embedded in his stomach. The jedi fell to his knees. Xan placed a foot on the Jedi's chest and yanked, the electrostaff came out with some resistance. The fell forward, hitting the deck with a thud. The  Jedi's blood was sizzling on the tip of the electrostaff.  The Jedi was still alive, his breath quick and uneven as a pool of his own blood began to spread around him. Xan heard a scream, and turned back to the Jedi. The girl was kneeling by him, sobing. It didn't matter. He had something else to deal with. Lumiya was getting back up

---

Tho'un looked out over the field of stars. He was on the bridge of the Overlords Shadow, in front of a group of admirals.  "There has been a massive security breach. Your "High Inquisitor" has turned against you and abducted your leader. He was under the influence of a Sith Cult, thought to have been eradicated on Belderone by the 501st. I am taking command of this fleet and we will retrieve Skywalker. Until he is retrieved I am the High Inquisitor, and you will answer to me."

As Cabur walked out, Ralin turned to the others.

“Might be better she isn’t here to discus this.  She will not be thinking rationally.  We must decide what we are going to do.

Solus seemed uneasy letting her go off on her own, but turned his attention back to the table the group was around.  “All I know is that my mission still stands; I must take Kuat back to Thrawn.  Once there I should be able to stay on with them as a hunter or something.”

Ralin turned to his partner.  “Ma’ryk?”

Shaking he head slowly, he seemed drained for ideas.  “All I know is that it’s our hide that needs saving now.  Turning on Starjammer might have been the honorable move; but it sure wasn’t the smart one.  We’ll have every bounty hunter in the void lookin’ for us.”

Ralin nodded.  He was having the same thoughts.  “We have few choices as I see it.  We could run; the alien kingdoms in Wild space that I served in the past would take and anyone who wished to continue traveling with me in.  Or we could do as Solus plans to do; join one of the factions opposing Skywalker.  Or……”  Ralin’s gaze turned to Kuat of Kuat, who was sitting in the booth next to Solus.     

Solus quickly caught the look, and tensed.  “He’s coming with me, vod.

“He could be bartered back to Skywalker in exchange for our lives.  He’s lost his position with Kuat Drive Works anyway; what further use could he be to Thrawn now?”

“It is not my place to ask.  I accepted the mission, and I shall finish it.”

Ralin considered for a moment.  They were both ready for action.  I can take him.  Just need to …….  A thought came to mind that disturbed him.  “We can settle this later.  There’s something I need to do first.”  Standing, Ralin headed out of the cantina and started for the ruined PK base...…

"Damnit." Solus sighed. "Damnit I almost did it again." He put his put his helmet in his hands, gripping the rear part of the dome whilst still on his head. He sat there for a moment saying nothing, then straightened up. Solus stared at Kuat, the piercing black gaze of the T-visor cut right through him like a vibrosword. He was furious. This is the second time he almost got into a fight-to-the-death with Ralin by defending his contract with Thrawn.
Honor is everything...but is it worth my life? This contract? He pondered for a moment, then snapped back into reality. Solus was going to find out what made Kuat so special, it was only a matter of time.

Mi'kal was growing anxious.  He felt as if he had made a mistake sending out the warning.And he needed to rectify it.  He gunned his ship and streaked towards the Overlord's Shadow.  Not 300 meters away from the ship they finally pulled him in with the tractor beam.

Mi'kal made his way to the exit ramp while he waited for them to dock the ship.  Slowly the exit ramp lowered and before any of the troopers had their guns trained on the exit, he was out lightsaber moving in a blur.  As the troopers saw their comrades fall some of them finally got their wits to fire.  Faced with a sudden volley Mi'kal was thrown off and was hit in the left arm.  He cursed but immediately turned the anger towards his fighting.  Before he knew it his chest was heaving and the hanger was clear.  He made his way out into the hall lightsaber at the ready.