And So We Meet Again (Kota)

[Lady Kota]

"Betrayal five times I believe, the loss of those she cared for, her home on more than one occasion, among other reasons take your pick. She's not easy to gain trust from even family, father betrayed her and all. Her heritage has made her a target, but she doesn't care about herself. Death means nothing to her, it's others she tries to protect. I know you were innocent, but she's easily aggravated when she has this precious time alone." He said.

He moved his staff a little. "I have to return or I'll be the one to receive her wrath. I'd rather not be killed by my granddaughter." He said joking then began to walk away. This man was Rahm Kota, the one from the file the grand inquisitor had handed Rhoden.

[Rhoden Carbine]

Rhoden lowered his eyes, "Perhaps if she had grown up amongst us she would understand." he said regretfully. He raised his eyes again at the man's comment, nodding, "And so you, too, are family." he said, smiling. He gestured back towards his ship.

"My ship is not far off, if you might accompany us, I can provide you with a datacard," Rhoden said, "Should you, or my cousin, ever require something of myself or the Carbine family there will be locations and frequencies available." he said. The card did indeed hold locations, several of note, several more of insignificant but connected outposts, and communication encryptions that would allow access to any number of units.

Rhoden opened his hands, palms outward, "After all, if you take it and never need it you lose nothing but time." he said, "If you take it and find that you do need it, you will have the blood and blade of the Shadowguard behind you."

[Lady Kota]

"Send your locations here." He said then handed him coordinates to send them to. "I have to go, I am currently slacking at my job." He said jokingly. He went to move away from him and proceed back to where he came. However he stopped. "One thing one is never out of with her is time." He said.

He continued into the shadows back the way he came. She stood there when he made it some distance from Rhoden. "I saw that." She said to him. He smiled. "I don't know what you're talking about." He said as he continued. She followed him to ensure he would get back on thr ship.

[Rhoden Carbine]

Rhoden smiled, "I'll send them." he said. There was to be, it seemed, a minor victory. He turned and headed to his ship, his smile vanished. Dot floated up to him beeping angrily. Rhoden held his head in his hands, "What did you do?" he said. Dot's armor was scratched and dented, he chirped away quickly and even more angrily. "Oh? So. You thought it was a good idea to allow yourself to be damaged?" he asked. Dot squealed and flew back into the ship. The boarding ramp closed and all the lights went back off. He shook his head.

"C'mon, let's go pull Darnik out of the fire." he said, exasperated. Jorvan sighed, "This day just keeps getting better and better..." he said. They began heading back to the bar, heading around back and grabbing one of the stunned pirates who had been unceremoniously tossed there after the Imperials had taken their leave.

"Wake up, you worthless lump!" Rhoden said through heavy breaths, kicking the pirate. He blinked confused then tried to stand, Jorvan shoved him back into a seating position. Rhoden pointed at him, "You're obscenely heavy." he said, "Now. Darnik. Bessalisk. Where?" he said, "Do I need to draw a picture?" the pirate glared at him, "Go to hell." he said, looking away. Rhoden smiled, "Now, we can do this the quick and easy way or I can take you back to my ship for a more in-depth interrogation." he growled. "And I assure you; if I am forced to waste my time on something like that," his right arm shot out and lifted the pirate from the ground, sliding him up against a wall. "Your death will be most unpleasant." he growled. He dropped the pirate back to the ground, where he spluttered, looking up at him. He set his jaw, "No."


Ten minutes later Rhoden and Jorvan came out of the alley, "Was that really necessary?" Jorvan asked, "We didn't have to waste time dragging him around and we got the location. So, yes. It was necessary." he said, making sure his blade was clean of any blood. He began walking towards the nearby manufacturing plant where Darnik was being held.

[Rhoden Carbine]

Rhoden and Jorvan climbed up the side of the building and into a window with ease. Dropping into a small storage area and quickly disposing of a most unfortunate guard. "At least this should be a quick one..." Jorvan muttered, Rhoden sighed, "You said that, and now things are going to go wrong." he said.

They moved on silently, disposing of guards as they passed. They came to a sealed door and Jorvan set to work--it was open within minutes. "All to easy." Jorvan muttered. They stepped through and Rhoden felt something shift under his foot. He screwed up his face and winced with each clank as a metal bar with a coiled chain about it tumbled to the ground. "What did I say?" he asked, opening his eyes. "Damn it. Run!" Jorvan responded as there was a shout from below.


All semblance of stealth abandoned the duo began blasting everyone in their path--having no fear for mistaking an enemy for Darnik due to the Besalisk's distinctive features. Rhoden ducked a most poorly chosen swing by one of the pirates and snapped the butt of his blaster back as he passed. He didn't need to turn back to see the damage, he had aimed for the back of the neck and the cracking noise was fairly audible.

Jorvan sent a man to the ground coughing up blood and teeth before rolling him off onto a conveyor belt. "What do they make here, again?" Rhoden asked as the final two pirates fell and the conveyor belt carried Jorvan's victim into some kind of production unit. "Uh. Eating ware I think..." Jorvan said, scratching at his chin. There was a drawn out scream and a grinding, crunching sound which went on for a few minutes.

Rhoden looked at the machine horrified, "Nevermind." he said. They passed the machine without looking at the "products" and entered the next room over. Two pirates lay sprawled on the floor and Darnik beamed down at them. "Hello, boys." he said, his deep voice happy. Rhoden sighed. "You owe me so many favors. And credits for that matter..." Darnik laughed "Keep tellin' yourself that, c'mon let's get off this stinkhole." he said.


An hour later their two ships were flying in tandem in deep space after a brief jump out of the system. "Thanks again, Rhoden. Hope that information does ya good." Darnik said, "So do I. Try to stay out of trouble," he said, his tone one of long-suffering "Hey, at least the girl's in good shape." Darnik said, "Yes, but for how long?" Rhoden responded. Darnik simply laughed in reply, signed off, and jumped out.

"He's giving me more gray hair, Jorvan." he said, "No. That's my job." the man responded. He buried his face in his hands and Jorvan made the jump to hyperspace as he chuckled to himself.