Original Post by Xerxes Nova...
A Whiphid paced back and forth behind his desk, his constant movement in briefing meetings seemed like a man driven and ready to get to the action. However, here in this room it was evident that the man of action display was more than a persona. He really did think better on his feet. Commander Kunnandi and Captain Sash had taken seats long ago, when the discussions had started but, as the Admiral got more animated the more his mind seemed to be working through the problem. "Let's start at the beginning again" he said, Kunnandi and Sash looked at one another, the two woman half way between sighing and smiling. This was the fifth time now, but each time more of a plan seemed to be formed. Kunnandi cleared her throat, it had irritated her the first couple of times but, now she recognised the pattern, she saw the logic in it. With each new iteration of a plan they worked from start to finish finding the things that would and wouldn't work, the initial plan of a naval assault had been quickly quashed by all parties, they couldn't afford such an overt action. Yet it was working through what they knew that helped them re-evaluate before discussing the next plan.
"We had reports of new blueprints showing up on Kafrene market, ones that didn't seem to have either Imperial or Alliance origins. So to evaluate the designs I allocated Petty Officer Halvern, he was of the Nightshade clan but, one of my best technical advisors, though not really an ambitious one. He met with a two man team that was stationed in the Ring associated with the intelligence unit. Their job was to guide him to the contact with the blueprints and ensure his safety."
Sash nodded "I too knew of this op and had arranged for a Givin by the name of Lersia Larr to be prepared to make the offers necessary for the blueprints. It was better to buy and keep them secret than make a scene and call attention to what we were doing. Lersia was one of my best agents and I had her stationed at the Ring thanks to her mathematical skills which were excellent even my Givin standards. I could entrust that sector of our responsibility to her without worry." Brakken nodded to this as he paced, he had no qualms with Sash, if she trusted someone that much he would agree with her assessment. "Lersia only contacts me if something important, that she feels needs greater authority to approve, crops up otherwise she just sends quarterly reports. So I didn't find it strange that I had no contact with her however..."
"Halvern was under strict orders to contact me on a rolling schedule to avoid anyone intercepting our communications. For a human he was very punctual and after he failed to check in for a day, missing two scheduled check-ins, I started to make enquiries. I found that the contacts I had on the Ring had all gone silent and those that weren't BSP directly dodged my calls. After a day of fruitless work I brought my concerns to Captain Allkar, she told me that it was indeed worrying and that I should leave the matter to her. Against advice however, I continued to make enquires as best I could finally getting through to a junior rating I had allowed some leave as I remembered they had headed to the Ring for their R&R. Halis was a bit of a gambler but her survival instinct is one of the best, it was from her that I got the recording." At that her eyes flicked to the mini-holoprojector on the Admiral's desk.
"While Commander Kunnandi conducted her investigation I engaged our intelligence unit and the information wasn't good. It seems that our assets had been going systematically dark over the last few weeks but everything seems to have come to a head a few days ago. The intelligence unit reported that just prior to this sudden uptick we were starting to get reports of the Red Key Raiders, a new group that seems to be subsuming some of the Black Suns property, we didn't pay them much attention but, it seemed they were simply taking stock of us before going for what they perceived as the throat. Our decentralised nature once again worked in our favour. However, having seen the recording I have to urge caution." Her eyes flicked to the recording, it showed one of the BSP strongholds in the Ring and the aftermath after a surprise assault with the aid of locals, those they paid could no longer be trusted.
"We can't trust any ship or material that passed through the Ring in the last several months. That poses a serious security threat, even if it is a rather minor contributor. Similarly we have to be wary of those with origin in the Thand Sector and Kafrene in particular since we can't be sure how long this plan has been simmering. I've already had the ship security secure those who joined from the Thand Sector in the last year and those who have been with us longer are under observation. However, we can't afford to send a large fleet, we are in the midst of resupplying so a lot of material is going to have to be checked and we don't have a team we can send." Admiral Brakken said to go over the previous options discussed "Nor can we afford to send a small contingent under the command of one of the Captain's as that may be exactly what they want the fleets to do. If we get split up we could be made easier targets. Also we can't afford to hire outside help on this matter as that would make us appear weak and when dealing with this kind of insurgency into our business any show of weakness will just chum the waters." He sighed and stopped pacing "We can't afford to do nothing either, although that could be seen as a sign of strength it would also dishonour the memories of those lost already..." "We also have to save those we can" Kunnandi interjected and the Admiral smiled "I fear we couldn't send enough ships to rescue all of them, we're the Blue Start Pirates after all, we won't die that easily. I feel that after the overt actions started a lot of our Brothers and Sisters would have switched to covert protocols, with dedicated contacts only."
"Then I can only see one viable option remaining" Brakken and Kunnandi turned to Sash and knew what she was about to say and they said together
"We Send a Single Operative" Sash stated calmly
"A One Man Operation" Brakken said with a feral grin
"A Suicide Mission" Kunnandi whispered sorrowfully.
Sash and Brakken shared a look at Kunnandi's words, they couldn't disagree, these mission were more often than not suicide missions and they could feel for the young Commander. She was until recently nothing more than technician for whom these kind of life and death decisions had been no concern. She was now learning that once you started to take on the responsibility for more sentients, no matter species or gender, the work you had to ask of some of them increased in risk and within the BSP that more often than not meant asking for them to risk their lives. However, Sash knew what she was about to say would have a far more profound impact.
"I already know who we should send" she calmly added and it was the turn of the Admiral and Commander to share a look, it was Brakken who asked though
"Who?"
"Midshipmen Xerxes Nova"
"WHAT" the pair shouted, Brakken in disgust and Kunnandi in horror, well she had her job cut out for her to convince the two of her choice.
Where Good Dreams Go Bad (BSP)
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Master Buggie
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Re: Where Good Dreams Go Bad (BSP)
Original Post by Jay Mertaal...
The explosions happened just after the start of the night cycle, ripping through the office of a cleaner service and a delivery restaurant, both in the territory of an unpleasant group of enforcers known as the Harker Crew. Those in the know understood the Greasy Gorrnar, a takeaway restaurant which sent out numerous packages at all times of the day and night, was in fact the main distribution centre for Harker Glitterstim operations. GHL Hygene was likewise, the front organisation which served as the Harker head office. Borryl Jokk and his son, Cadrryl were both killed in the blast, effectively decapitating the organisation.
Who had set the bombs was a mystery that would never be solved, but a Noghri was an unusual enough sight on Kaferne to be noticed at both locations the previous day.
With the Harkers in such a state of disarray, and with their regular lookout contingent- local kids mostly, curiously missing, the Red Key Raiders had an easy time of moving in and sweeping up the territory in to their own. To an outsider it looked simply as though the Red Keys had made a power play, but that was not quite true. They owed this turn of good fortune to a certain person, although only their leader knew where the debt lay...
The explosions happened just after the start of the night cycle, ripping through the office of a cleaner service and a delivery restaurant, both in the territory of an unpleasant group of enforcers known as the Harker Crew. Those in the know understood the Greasy Gorrnar, a takeaway restaurant which sent out numerous packages at all times of the day and night, was in fact the main distribution centre for Harker Glitterstim operations. GHL Hygene was likewise, the front organisation which served as the Harker head office. Borryl Jokk and his son, Cadrryl were both killed in the blast, effectively decapitating the organisation.
Who had set the bombs was a mystery that would never be solved, but a Noghri was an unusual enough sight on Kaferne to be noticed at both locations the previous day.
With the Harkers in such a state of disarray, and with their regular lookout contingent- local kids mostly, curiously missing, the Red Key Raiders had an easy time of moving in and sweeping up the territory in to their own. To an outsider it looked simply as though the Red Keys had made a power play, but that was not quite true. They owed this turn of good fortune to a certain person, although only their leader knew where the debt lay...
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Re: Where Good Dreams Go Bad (BSP)
Original Post by Salem Norongachi...
"Bring me the map." Norongachi barked as soon as the shack door burst open and he slammed his helm onto the table. Kafrene wasn't built with planning in mind, it had simply sprung up around a few enterprising businesses that sought to capitalize on the mineral rich ore and so finding an up to date layout was almost impossible, every second week there were three new slapdash houses and a hole-in-the-wall cantina. The map that Nik spread out on the table was half official and half hand drawn, it hadn't taken much to get some of the locals onside, scouting out the competitions operations.
"Whats the plan boss?" N'kal asked, his hands rubbing nervously together and he strained his bulk trying to get a look over Sal's shoulder at the map.
"Here, here and here." the dark haired Norongachi spoke, an armoured finger stabbing at points on the map. "Get whatever men you have and we go in hard, no prisoners, no looting. I want these locations atomized." his green eyes caught Niks attention and the pirate gave a cautionary 'Ummm...'.
"Spit it out."
"Whats Mertaal gotta say about this?"
"He has his plans, we have ours. Now get it done, the Wave Dancer is docked at bay 76, you know the code. If you need more firepower the armory is stocked." he stood to his full height, made all the more so by the DZ17X Nemesis Armour that adorned his frame and slid his helmet into place. "Nik; Rising Tide cantina, Wallis; East Side betting shop. I'll hit Talavega Casino. Clear?" they all nodded and got on the comms to their men ground-side. "We roll out in 20."
"B-b-boss?" N'kal spoke sheepishly. "What about me?"
"You're on recon and report, get those street rats on our pay role out there and relaying back troop movement. Keep us informed."
"On it, sir!"
"Bring me the map." Norongachi barked as soon as the shack door burst open and he slammed his helm onto the table. Kafrene wasn't built with planning in mind, it had simply sprung up around a few enterprising businesses that sought to capitalize on the mineral rich ore and so finding an up to date layout was almost impossible, every second week there were three new slapdash houses and a hole-in-the-wall cantina. The map that Nik spread out on the table was half official and half hand drawn, it hadn't taken much to get some of the locals onside, scouting out the competitions operations.
"Whats the plan boss?" N'kal asked, his hands rubbing nervously together and he strained his bulk trying to get a look over Sal's shoulder at the map.
"Here, here and here." the dark haired Norongachi spoke, an armoured finger stabbing at points on the map. "Get whatever men you have and we go in hard, no prisoners, no looting. I want these locations atomized." his green eyes caught Niks attention and the pirate gave a cautionary 'Ummm...'.
"Spit it out."
"Whats Mertaal gotta say about this?"
"He has his plans, we have ours. Now get it done, the Wave Dancer is docked at bay 76, you know the code. If you need more firepower the armory is stocked." he stood to his full height, made all the more so by the DZ17X Nemesis Armour that adorned his frame and slid his helmet into place. "Nik; Rising Tide cantina, Wallis; East Side betting shop. I'll hit Talavega Casino. Clear?" they all nodded and got on the comms to their men ground-side. "We roll out in 20."
"B-b-boss?" N'kal spoke sheepishly. "What about me?"
"You're on recon and report, get those street rats on our pay role out there and relaying back troop movement. Keep us informed."
"On it, sir!"
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Re: Where Good Dreams Go Bad (BSP)
Original Post by Doctor Krussk...
As the complaints by the new BSP recruits died down and thir dissent was heard, it was Morrison who spoke first. "How dare you all speak with such arrogance?! You are all fresh recruits who have had no say in our plans, you're here to follow orders! Just because the plan doesn't make sense to you doesn't mean it's wrong, more that the finer details are on a need to know basis! This ship is one of several, all with their own unique objectives around the ring! Now I have half a mind to write you all up on dissent charges and have you all washing the grime out of the ring we are about to take over for years on end!". At this point Krussk raised his hand up, having the room fall silent around him. "Now now Morrison and Smith, recruit Bexel has a point, he does know more about the ring from firsthand experience than most of us. We may have been given this information by informants that have lived on the ring for years, but that doesn't make Bexel's experience any less valid. And as far as the rest, I personally invited you all because I believed in your skills without truly understanding your specialties. From what I can gather you all seem far more interested in espionage than battle. My bad for assuming a hunter wouldn't want to hunt, a Sith wouldn't want to kill, and an admiral wouldn't want to tactically run a battlefield. I understand now that I looked upon you all as stations in life, where I should have seen you as the people who left those stations behind to join the Blue Star Pirates. All combat crew, take a ten minute break, we have some discussing to do".
With that, Krussk, Smith, and Morrison went off into a back corner and began a hushed yet intense conversation. While what they said could not be heard, it was easy to tell Smith and Morrison were still rather livid over the whole thing. Eventually though, through what appeared to be some choice negotiation on Krussk's part, the begant to calm down. Just under ten minutes later the trio returned to the briefing platform. Krussk took central stage and began addressing the crew once more. "Alright everyone, we finished our deliberations. We have decided that the new recruits are to form squad Dragon and are to be led by Admiral Bexel and attempt as a group to achieve his plan. His mission will be one of informational sabotage, as to compliment the remaining squad's more... literal sabotage... Is that to you three's satisfaction? You will be attempting to through your as you said, lightning-fast strikes to not destroy the opposition, but just to keep them distracted, as though you are wasps harassing a grand beast while we, the hunters, ready our rifles for the killshot. Since you will be leading this one Bexel, you will be in charge of everything from gear to deployment location. I wish you luck".
As the complaints by the new BSP recruits died down and thir dissent was heard, it was Morrison who spoke first. "How dare you all speak with such arrogance?! You are all fresh recruits who have had no say in our plans, you're here to follow orders! Just because the plan doesn't make sense to you doesn't mean it's wrong, more that the finer details are on a need to know basis! This ship is one of several, all with their own unique objectives around the ring! Now I have half a mind to write you all up on dissent charges and have you all washing the grime out of the ring we are about to take over for years on end!". At this point Krussk raised his hand up, having the room fall silent around him. "Now now Morrison and Smith, recruit Bexel has a point, he does know more about the ring from firsthand experience than most of us. We may have been given this information by informants that have lived on the ring for years, but that doesn't make Bexel's experience any less valid. And as far as the rest, I personally invited you all because I believed in your skills without truly understanding your specialties. From what I can gather you all seem far more interested in espionage than battle. My bad for assuming a hunter wouldn't want to hunt, a Sith wouldn't want to kill, and an admiral wouldn't want to tactically run a battlefield. I understand now that I looked upon you all as stations in life, where I should have seen you as the people who left those stations behind to join the Blue Star Pirates. All combat crew, take a ten minute break, we have some discussing to do".
With that, Krussk, Smith, and Morrison went off into a back corner and began a hushed yet intense conversation. While what they said could not be heard, it was easy to tell Smith and Morrison were still rather livid over the whole thing. Eventually though, through what appeared to be some choice negotiation on Krussk's part, the begant to calm down. Just under ten minutes later the trio returned to the briefing platform. Krussk took central stage and began addressing the crew once more. "Alright everyone, we finished our deliberations. We have decided that the new recruits are to form squad Dragon and are to be led by Admiral Bexel and attempt as a group to achieve his plan. His mission will be one of informational sabotage, as to compliment the remaining squad's more... literal sabotage... Is that to you three's satisfaction? You will be attempting to through your as you said, lightning-fast strikes to not destroy the opposition, but just to keep them distracted, as though you are wasps harassing a grand beast while we, the hunters, ready our rifles for the killshot. Since you will be leading this one Bexel, you will be in charge of everything from gear to deployment location. I wish you luck".
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Re: Where Good Dreams Go Bad (BSP)
Original Post by Arruna Lom...
Arruna's mouth was agape as fellow First Mate Bexel spoke up, and did he really challenge his superior's orders? It was a shocking turn of events, that was for sure. Bexel sure had nerve, and Arruna was dumbfounded at the nerve. All through her life Arruna was taught to be seen and not heard, and if she ever dared to do something like her fellow First Mate had, would have been severely punished. Granted she had spent the bulk of her miserable life as a slave and Sith, so perhaps her opinion was a bit skewed to say the least. Regardless of her limited scope of experience, it was still not a proper reaction, no matter what.
And as if the shocker factor wasn't enough already, the other First Mate, Tryn, the half Bothan spoke up, too, agreeing with Bexel.
Arruna couldn't believe her eyes and ears, and she swore they had to be playing tricks on her as the scene unfolded. Granted, Arruna hadn't really hid her disapproval of the initial plan presented by Feared Captain Krussk with her facial and body language, but she didn't dare speak up. It wasn't her place to do so, and she couldn't bblame her superiors for being so livid with her fellow First Mates, and she anxiously waited to see how the two would be punished.
Surprisingly enough other than a fierce verbal chastising by other Captains of the BSP, nothing more came of the breech of protocol, punishment wise. Not even just that but after a closed meeting for the Captains, Feared Captain Krussk actually agreed to making an espionage team of Bexel, Arruna, and Tryn. Arruna was completely flabbergasted by that move, but at the same time cheered inwardly. Espionage was what Arruna was use to, not to full on combat, and she offered a look of gratitude to her supersuperior, Feared Captain Krussk.
"Thank you for the alternative assignment, sir. When I was part of the Sith, I never was trained in the art of militaristic and full on combat like Slade or Kroxata. I was trained rather as an assassin, spy, and in espionage, slinking around in the shadows. I feel more comfortable and confident in this alternative assignment."
And with that Arruna fell silent and waited for further orders relieved and in anticipation.
Arruna's mouth was agape as fellow First Mate Bexel spoke up, and did he really challenge his superior's orders? It was a shocking turn of events, that was for sure. Bexel sure had nerve, and Arruna was dumbfounded at the nerve. All through her life Arruna was taught to be seen and not heard, and if she ever dared to do something like her fellow First Mate had, would have been severely punished. Granted she had spent the bulk of her miserable life as a slave and Sith, so perhaps her opinion was a bit skewed to say the least. Regardless of her limited scope of experience, it was still not a proper reaction, no matter what.
And as if the shocker factor wasn't enough already, the other First Mate, Tryn, the half Bothan spoke up, too, agreeing with Bexel.
Arruna couldn't believe her eyes and ears, and she swore they had to be playing tricks on her as the scene unfolded. Granted, Arruna hadn't really hid her disapproval of the initial plan presented by Feared Captain Krussk with her facial and body language, but she didn't dare speak up. It wasn't her place to do so, and she couldn't bblame her superiors for being so livid with her fellow First Mates, and she anxiously waited to see how the two would be punished.
Surprisingly enough other than a fierce verbal chastising by other Captains of the BSP, nothing more came of the breech of protocol, punishment wise. Not even just that but after a closed meeting for the Captains, Feared Captain Krussk actually agreed to making an espionage team of Bexel, Arruna, and Tryn. Arruna was completely flabbergasted by that move, but at the same time cheered inwardly. Espionage was what Arruna was use to, not to full on combat, and she offered a look of gratitude to her supersuperior, Feared Captain Krussk.
"Thank you for the alternative assignment, sir. When I was part of the Sith, I never was trained in the art of militaristic and full on combat like Slade or Kroxata. I was trained rather as an assassin, spy, and in espionage, slinking around in the shadows. I feel more comfortable and confident in this alternative assignment."
And with that Arruna fell silent and waited for further orders relieved and in anticipation.
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Re: Where Good Dreams Go Bad (BSP)
Original Post by Tryn Lya'Me...
“Lizard friend you call me a hunter, but I always try to take my pray alive unless self-defense is required, or I am angry. Regardless, I appreciate the reassignment and owe you a drink!” Tryn raised the wine skin he was already drinking from and smiled at his new teammates This should be fun, a sith an admiral and a half-bothan walk into a bar, I think I’ve told this joke before, he thought. Tryn corked his wine and addressed the captain who had just reprimanded them, he knew not his name quite yet, but he’d figure it out. “And to you New Captain Friend I owe a meal, I did not mean to upset anyone” Tryn sat back to await further orders.
“Lizard friend you call me a hunter, but I always try to take my pray alive unless self-defense is required, or I am angry. Regardless, I appreciate the reassignment and owe you a drink!” Tryn raised the wine skin he was already drinking from and smiled at his new teammates This should be fun, a sith an admiral and a half-bothan walk into a bar, I think I’ve told this joke before, he thought. Tryn corked his wine and addressed the captain who had just reprimanded them, he knew not his name quite yet, but he’d figure it out. “And to you New Captain Friend I owe a meal, I did not mean to upset anyone” Tryn sat back to await further orders.
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Re: Where Good Dreams Go Bad (BSP)
Original Post by Xerxes Nova...
"Sash" the Admiral growled forgetting formalities for the moment which was an uncharacteristic lapse for the stern man even in an impromptu strategy meeting like this. "Even for you that goes beyond a joke. That kid is nothing more than a liability, weak willed, weak in body and broken in the head. I wouldn't trust him to serve us tea; I tolerate him because I have no other choice to." The venom in the man's voice was astonishing but, Sash could understand it. For the Admiral's respect was hard earned and the boy had proven too unreliable in his early time with the BSP. Setting aside what happened during the Gradan affair, which had irritated Sash as well, the boy had taken possession of a junker and had a tendency to vanish for weeks if not months on end. She was about to say something when a harsh retort came from an unlikely source.
"Midshipman Nova is one of the best mechanics under my command Admiral Brakken and I would thank you not to take lightly what he has done for us. He had issues early on I grant you that but, he's tried his best no matter what and proven himself more than capable. Our ships are a week ahead of schedule on their maintenance thanks mainly to that kid." Kunnandi hadn't raised her voice; the wookiee not having the grasp of non-native tongues to risk such a thing but, her inflection was cutting. However, so was the glare that came from the Admiral, his mouth seemed to be working over words he found quite unpalatable a he worked on his reply.
"Midshipman, Commander Kunnandi I must be mishearing you, or are you in on the joke with Captain Allkar, because I certainly never gave my approval to raise that parasite above rating, let alone give him Officer Status." Brakken hated the idea of such an unworthy worm being allowed even a snowballs chance in hell of ever reaching command. He was certain he had blacklisted the boy's name to ensure that he could never pose a threat to the organisation by getting into a position of responsibility. He may be a good mechanic but, Brakken could never approve of someone so fragile being allowed to lead his fellow pirates. The lad had caused enough disruptions as a rating.
"I raised the matter of promoting Midshipman Nova several times over the last year; finally I got approval at the last fleet meeting." Kunnandi couldn't understand Admiral Brakken's reaction to the news, it was a new promotion to be sure but, the order had been rectified by the Admiral's office. Kunnandi shot a glance in Sash's direction, though she wasn't particularly good at reading the amphibian's expressions she definitely saw a glint in the Captain's eye. "It made sense after all, he does a lot of work throughout the fleets, not just Aurek, and a lot of his work was delayed due to local technical teams seeing him as a helping hand rather than the organiser I was sending him to be, his age was an apparent issue. So giving him rank, a rank he earned thrice over I might add, was the easiest way to get round that issue. Our brothers and sisters on other ships might dismiss him due to his age but, they can't ignore his pips."
"They bloody well should. Don't you remember what he was like, when we needed our crew to be as strong, stable and reliable as possible that child kept fainting, even the mission he was put on almost failed because the kid passed out at a crucial point. If we'd had any sense we would have left him behind then and there." The Admiral was rifling through the collection of holopads on his desk looking for something but, he sighed and raised his eyes to Sash and asked "Captain Allkar, care to explain why the one Fleet meeting I was unable to attend due to a council meeting was the one where I apparently authorised the promotion of this..." Brakken took a deep breath and growled grudgingly "Midshipmen."
Kunnandi had, had her suspicions that the Admiral had been vetoing Xerxes promotion but, had assumed that the results the boy had shown in the reports at the last meeting had finally convinced Brakken. Now she realised she had been fragged, so to speak, if the Admiral hadn't been at the meeting that meant it had been Captain Allkar acting on his authority that had resulted in Xerxes getting his pips. That put not just Commander Kunnandi and Midshipman Xerxes in an awkward position but, the entire engineering and technical team. She was about to ask for clarification when Sash spoke.
"It's quite simple Admiral Brakken, I have been keeping an eye on the lad in passing ever since the Gradan affair, to be honest I was looking for an excuse to transfer him to another fleet." A hint of animosity surfaced as she said that. It seemed that Xerxes had really pissed off the top brass of the Aurek fleet during the Elrood mission and Kunnandi was glad that he had somehow remained under her command. "It was after that affair that I noticed his skills, without much training or understanding of our systems he managed to slice a lock to get into a captain's quarters...."
"WHAT" bellowed Brakken rocketing to his feet and knocking the heavy table forward a couple of inches in the process. Even Kunnandi was taken aback by what Sash was saying. Such an offence was never reported which meant the boy had been either very good or had managed the repairs himself, either way at the time that would have been quite significant yet, whose quarters could he have infiltrated. "Did you know this?" the barbs in the Admiral's voice were evident but all Kunnandi could do was answer him truthfully "No Sir and I know of no repairs to replace such a slice either." Brakken seething dropped back into his chair "Just what sort of poodoo show are you running in engineering" at that Kunnandi bristled but she had no retort, he was right how could she not know.
"It was never reported" Sash chimed in "but the more pressing question is whose quarter's did he slice his way into?" She gave the two a chance then smiled and said "Captain Rhys Nero." Brakken and Kunnandi both straightened at that and looked at each other, they both knew the man and what he was. Pirate first he might be but, there was no hiding the pair of lightsabers he carried proudly. "Which explains why the incidents that occurred during the Gradan affair did so" Sash said a moment later, Kunnandi cotton on almost instantly the look of shock on her face was precious but Brakken just narrowed his eyes. "Explain yourself Sash", the Admiral wasn't slow he knew what she was hinting at but still wanted it confirmed. "I went back and looked at the times Midshipman Xerxes passed out, each one coincided with the firing of the Gradan weapon and tremendous loss of life. Combine that with his meeting with Captain Nero and his flight logs that include places like Endor and..." "We have a Force sensitive" Brakken finished, "Pity he's not trained but at least he shouldn't pass out again." The disgust in the Admiral's voice had mellowed out know he understood why the events had occurred as they did and was reassured to think they wouldn't happen again.
"I beg to argue Admiral, though he may not be trained in a tradition as the erstwhile Captain Nero was, that boy, no young man certainly is trained." With that she started to lay out the information she had been collecting piecemeal from her sources in the fleet over the months, but one thing jumped out at Kunnandi immediately "A theft of a single crystal, during a trade, how did you...?" she looked at Sash and realised she would never get an answer, the fish liked to place some things close to the chest but such a specific item could only mean one thing.
"The Kid has a lightsaber" Brakken murmured with something nearing appreciation in his voice as he looked over all the work the young lad had put in, alright not into the BSP but, he was starting to wonder what would happen when the Midshipman finally got serious. "By my reckoning he has two" Sash said as she indicated some reports from the Crèche ship Cutting Edge. The pair were perusing the data when a chime announced someone's arrival. "Ah yes I did ask one more person to join us and if you don't mind I want to get orders to Xerxes to return to 'The Luma Flare' to set him on his new mission." Brakken looked up at this and finally nodded, he wasn't sold on using the kid like this but, he at least wanted to talk to him face to face. As Sash took her leave a tall and slender bothan came into the room, a near perpetual smirk on his face due to injury and nerve paralysis from some long forgotten campaign this was Lieutenant Colonel Oryon Hudorra of the Celestial Combat Engineers, a specialist unit made up of combat trained and ready engineers capable of holding their own in a fight while figuring out how best to build, repair or destroy whatever structure or machinery that need their attention. Kunnandi though she officially outranked him in the technicians he was of equivalent rank within the CCE which made for some interesting posturing and head butting between the two as each felt like they were the more superior to the other. "Well I hear you guys might have an interesting candidate for me?" Hearing Oryon say that Kunnandi felt a cold shiver run through her body as she realised now why Sash had invited him and she had a premonition of losing one of the most promising recruits she had, had in years.
Xerxes was tinkering aboard 'The Rust Bucket' within his little workshop. For whatever reason he had felt the need to start reassembling the lightsaber and shoto that he was constantly tinkering with as he tried to design his preferred weapon, the traditional forms just weren't working for him and though he knew his Master had been adept with a dual wielding style no matter how he tried to emulate it, it never felt right. "'ey Kid ya got ya orda's through" the pirate blinked and stood absentmindedly clipping the light weapons into their concealed holsters as he did so. "Twins, relay message to workshop monitors please" a moment later the words were scrolling past and he couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive. He was being summoned before the Admiral for the second time in his short career. He could only hope this time went somewhat better than the last meeting he had been called to.
"Sash" the Admiral growled forgetting formalities for the moment which was an uncharacteristic lapse for the stern man even in an impromptu strategy meeting like this. "Even for you that goes beyond a joke. That kid is nothing more than a liability, weak willed, weak in body and broken in the head. I wouldn't trust him to serve us tea; I tolerate him because I have no other choice to." The venom in the man's voice was astonishing but, Sash could understand it. For the Admiral's respect was hard earned and the boy had proven too unreliable in his early time with the BSP. Setting aside what happened during the Gradan affair, which had irritated Sash as well, the boy had taken possession of a junker and had a tendency to vanish for weeks if not months on end. She was about to say something when a harsh retort came from an unlikely source.
"Midshipman Nova is one of the best mechanics under my command Admiral Brakken and I would thank you not to take lightly what he has done for us. He had issues early on I grant you that but, he's tried his best no matter what and proven himself more than capable. Our ships are a week ahead of schedule on their maintenance thanks mainly to that kid." Kunnandi hadn't raised her voice; the wookiee not having the grasp of non-native tongues to risk such a thing but, her inflection was cutting. However, so was the glare that came from the Admiral, his mouth seemed to be working over words he found quite unpalatable a he worked on his reply.
"Midshipman, Commander Kunnandi I must be mishearing you, or are you in on the joke with Captain Allkar, because I certainly never gave my approval to raise that parasite above rating, let alone give him Officer Status." Brakken hated the idea of such an unworthy worm being allowed even a snowballs chance in hell of ever reaching command. He was certain he had blacklisted the boy's name to ensure that he could never pose a threat to the organisation by getting into a position of responsibility. He may be a good mechanic but, Brakken could never approve of someone so fragile being allowed to lead his fellow pirates. The lad had caused enough disruptions as a rating.
"I raised the matter of promoting Midshipman Nova several times over the last year; finally I got approval at the last fleet meeting." Kunnandi couldn't understand Admiral Brakken's reaction to the news, it was a new promotion to be sure but, the order had been rectified by the Admiral's office. Kunnandi shot a glance in Sash's direction, though she wasn't particularly good at reading the amphibian's expressions she definitely saw a glint in the Captain's eye. "It made sense after all, he does a lot of work throughout the fleets, not just Aurek, and a lot of his work was delayed due to local technical teams seeing him as a helping hand rather than the organiser I was sending him to be, his age was an apparent issue. So giving him rank, a rank he earned thrice over I might add, was the easiest way to get round that issue. Our brothers and sisters on other ships might dismiss him due to his age but, they can't ignore his pips."
"They bloody well should. Don't you remember what he was like, when we needed our crew to be as strong, stable and reliable as possible that child kept fainting, even the mission he was put on almost failed because the kid passed out at a crucial point. If we'd had any sense we would have left him behind then and there." The Admiral was rifling through the collection of holopads on his desk looking for something but, he sighed and raised his eyes to Sash and asked "Captain Allkar, care to explain why the one Fleet meeting I was unable to attend due to a council meeting was the one where I apparently authorised the promotion of this..." Brakken took a deep breath and growled grudgingly "Midshipmen."
Kunnandi had, had her suspicions that the Admiral had been vetoing Xerxes promotion but, had assumed that the results the boy had shown in the reports at the last meeting had finally convinced Brakken. Now she realised she had been fragged, so to speak, if the Admiral hadn't been at the meeting that meant it had been Captain Allkar acting on his authority that had resulted in Xerxes getting his pips. That put not just Commander Kunnandi and Midshipman Xerxes in an awkward position but, the entire engineering and technical team. She was about to ask for clarification when Sash spoke.
"It's quite simple Admiral Brakken, I have been keeping an eye on the lad in passing ever since the Gradan affair, to be honest I was looking for an excuse to transfer him to another fleet." A hint of animosity surfaced as she said that. It seemed that Xerxes had really pissed off the top brass of the Aurek fleet during the Elrood mission and Kunnandi was glad that he had somehow remained under her command. "It was after that affair that I noticed his skills, without much training or understanding of our systems he managed to slice a lock to get into a captain's quarters...."
"WHAT" bellowed Brakken rocketing to his feet and knocking the heavy table forward a couple of inches in the process. Even Kunnandi was taken aback by what Sash was saying. Such an offence was never reported which meant the boy had been either very good or had managed the repairs himself, either way at the time that would have been quite significant yet, whose quarters could he have infiltrated. "Did you know this?" the barbs in the Admiral's voice were evident but all Kunnandi could do was answer him truthfully "No Sir and I know of no repairs to replace such a slice either." Brakken seething dropped back into his chair "Just what sort of poodoo show are you running in engineering" at that Kunnandi bristled but she had no retort, he was right how could she not know.
"It was never reported" Sash chimed in "but the more pressing question is whose quarter's did he slice his way into?" She gave the two a chance then smiled and said "Captain Rhys Nero." Brakken and Kunnandi both straightened at that and looked at each other, they both knew the man and what he was. Pirate first he might be but, there was no hiding the pair of lightsabers he carried proudly. "Which explains why the incidents that occurred during the Gradan affair did so" Sash said a moment later, Kunnandi cotton on almost instantly the look of shock on her face was precious but Brakken just narrowed his eyes. "Explain yourself Sash", the Admiral wasn't slow he knew what she was hinting at but still wanted it confirmed. "I went back and looked at the times Midshipman Xerxes passed out, each one coincided with the firing of the Gradan weapon and tremendous loss of life. Combine that with his meeting with Captain Nero and his flight logs that include places like Endor and..." "We have a Force sensitive" Brakken finished, "Pity he's not trained but at least he shouldn't pass out again." The disgust in the Admiral's voice had mellowed out know he understood why the events had occurred as they did and was reassured to think they wouldn't happen again.
"I beg to argue Admiral, though he may not be trained in a tradition as the erstwhile Captain Nero was, that boy, no young man certainly is trained." With that she started to lay out the information she had been collecting piecemeal from her sources in the fleet over the months, but one thing jumped out at Kunnandi immediately "A theft of a single crystal, during a trade, how did you...?" she looked at Sash and realised she would never get an answer, the fish liked to place some things close to the chest but such a specific item could only mean one thing.
"The Kid has a lightsaber" Brakken murmured with something nearing appreciation in his voice as he looked over all the work the young lad had put in, alright not into the BSP but, he was starting to wonder what would happen when the Midshipman finally got serious. "By my reckoning he has two" Sash said as she indicated some reports from the Crèche ship Cutting Edge. The pair were perusing the data when a chime announced someone's arrival. "Ah yes I did ask one more person to join us and if you don't mind I want to get orders to Xerxes to return to 'The Luma Flare' to set him on his new mission." Brakken looked up at this and finally nodded, he wasn't sold on using the kid like this but, he at least wanted to talk to him face to face. As Sash took her leave a tall and slender bothan came into the room, a near perpetual smirk on his face due to injury and nerve paralysis from some long forgotten campaign this was Lieutenant Colonel Oryon Hudorra of the Celestial Combat Engineers, a specialist unit made up of combat trained and ready engineers capable of holding their own in a fight while figuring out how best to build, repair or destroy whatever structure or machinery that need their attention. Kunnandi though she officially outranked him in the technicians he was of equivalent rank within the CCE which made for some interesting posturing and head butting between the two as each felt like they were the more superior to the other. "Well I hear you guys might have an interesting candidate for me?" Hearing Oryon say that Kunnandi felt a cold shiver run through her body as she realised now why Sash had invited him and she had a premonition of losing one of the most promising recruits she had, had in years.
Xerxes was tinkering aboard 'The Rust Bucket' within his little workshop. For whatever reason he had felt the need to start reassembling the lightsaber and shoto that he was constantly tinkering with as he tried to design his preferred weapon, the traditional forms just weren't working for him and though he knew his Master had been adept with a dual wielding style no matter how he tried to emulate it, it never felt right. "'ey Kid ya got ya orda's through" the pirate blinked and stood absentmindedly clipping the light weapons into their concealed holsters as he did so. "Twins, relay message to workshop monitors please" a moment later the words were scrolling past and he couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive. He was being summoned before the Admiral for the second time in his short career. He could only hope this time went somewhat better than the last meeting he had been called to.
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Master Buggie
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Re: Where Good Dreams Go Bad (BSP)
Original Post by Salem Norongachi...
Forty pairs of Pirate boots pounded the fusion formed streets, split cleanly in two Nik and Wallis moved toward their objectives. N'Kal sat firmly in the shack, his com chattering as spice heads and urchins called in with gang movements and he in turn relayed these to the main groups. He was hunched over the map, his substantial paunch over the table edge and making the aged wood groan as he shifted his finger over the streets and alley ways, tracking the movements of his comrades in relation to the intel he was being given.
"Nik, you got a bunch of the frak's at the edge of the street, hanging around outside a cantina. If you take a right you'll be able to work your way past them." his com mumbled and he spat a curse. "scratch that, they have boys over there as well." N'kal could feel sweat beading on his brow, things were getting tricky already.
Nik could see the first group the rotund pirate was talking about and he and his men had taken to the shadows of an alley. "How many in the second group?"
"Eyes are saying only two or three but its a brothel. They arent sure how many are actually inside."
Nik thought about it for a minute, looked around at the men lingering behind him. "I need Five men," he spoke quietly, his steely blue eyes looking over them. Immediately five bodies moved from the crowd and he didn't know whether to be proud or feel sorry for them, so he simply nodded. "N'kal, where's this brothel?"
"The alley you are in right now comes right out at the side of it. Right, second left, right again."
"I need you boys to go make some noise. I mean A LOT of noise. Don't get bogged down in a fire fight, but you bloody well make sure everyone five streets away knows whats happening." The volunteers nodded, they knew what the score was. "Get going."
* * *
Wallis was having an easier time, something had drawn the Red Key goons away from this part of town. Not all of them, of course, but the rat warren of streets meant they were able to navigate their way almost to the threshold of the betting shop without raising alarm. Now the blonde human had to make a choice about just how hard to hit the place. They had all manner of firepower with them, rocket launchers, flame throwers, thermal dets and even shape charges. The issue wasn't what state they'd leave the target in, rather that it sat on the bottom floor of a four story building.
"N'Kal, whats over the top of the target?"
"Hold up." the Pirate switched frequencies and relayed the question to his eyes before switching back. "Run down apartments, spice dens. The usually slummy places you'd expect to find." that narrowed their choices down then, he wasn't willing to bring a whole building down with civilian casualties.
"We're doing this the old fashioned way," Wallis began glancing out into the street, there were only three or four guards loitering on the street. "Check your power packs, then we light the place up."
* * *
Norongachi found himself moving alone, the bulk of his armour offset by a liberal application of the Force to aid his movement across the ramshackle rooftops toward the casino. In his ear N'kal kept him informed but at the speed he traversed from roof to roof, none of it mattered. The darkness was on his side and if anyone had the inclination to look up they might see a blurred shadow, nothing more. Stranger things moved in the nights of Kafrene and most of the residents had that on their mind than something seen out of the corner of their eye.
He bridged a gap between two buildings and as his boots landed the calm was shattered on the other side of the station. The sound of numerous blaster shots sounded, the work of Nik and his boys no doubt. He only spared a moment to glance before continuing on. The casino wasn't much further and calling it a casino was a stretch, it was two apartments with the connecting wall on the bottom floor knocked out to give more space for the gambling tables and bar. Sal stopped, adjusted the optics on his visor and scoped in on the front of the building. Two heavies stood outside, lounging against the grimy walls and no doubt a dozen more patrolled the floors beyond. He weighed up his options and the equipment at his disposal; His saber, two thermal dets on his belt, the armours built in repeating blaster and DEMP gun. There was always the nuclear option, however...
Forty pairs of Pirate boots pounded the fusion formed streets, split cleanly in two Nik and Wallis moved toward their objectives. N'Kal sat firmly in the shack, his com chattering as spice heads and urchins called in with gang movements and he in turn relayed these to the main groups. He was hunched over the map, his substantial paunch over the table edge and making the aged wood groan as he shifted his finger over the streets and alley ways, tracking the movements of his comrades in relation to the intel he was being given.
"Nik, you got a bunch of the frak's at the edge of the street, hanging around outside a cantina. If you take a right you'll be able to work your way past them." his com mumbled and he spat a curse. "scratch that, they have boys over there as well." N'kal could feel sweat beading on his brow, things were getting tricky already.
Nik could see the first group the rotund pirate was talking about and he and his men had taken to the shadows of an alley. "How many in the second group?"
"Eyes are saying only two or three but its a brothel. They arent sure how many are actually inside."
Nik thought about it for a minute, looked around at the men lingering behind him. "I need Five men," he spoke quietly, his steely blue eyes looking over them. Immediately five bodies moved from the crowd and he didn't know whether to be proud or feel sorry for them, so he simply nodded. "N'kal, where's this brothel?"
"The alley you are in right now comes right out at the side of it. Right, second left, right again."
"I need you boys to go make some noise. I mean A LOT of noise. Don't get bogged down in a fire fight, but you bloody well make sure everyone five streets away knows whats happening." The volunteers nodded, they knew what the score was. "Get going."
Wallis was having an easier time, something had drawn the Red Key goons away from this part of town. Not all of them, of course, but the rat warren of streets meant they were able to navigate their way almost to the threshold of the betting shop without raising alarm. Now the blonde human had to make a choice about just how hard to hit the place. They had all manner of firepower with them, rocket launchers, flame throwers, thermal dets and even shape charges. The issue wasn't what state they'd leave the target in, rather that it sat on the bottom floor of a four story building.
"N'Kal, whats over the top of the target?"
"Hold up." the Pirate switched frequencies and relayed the question to his eyes before switching back. "Run down apartments, spice dens. The usually slummy places you'd expect to find." that narrowed their choices down then, he wasn't willing to bring a whole building down with civilian casualties.
"We're doing this the old fashioned way," Wallis began glancing out into the street, there were only three or four guards loitering on the street. "Check your power packs, then we light the place up."
Norongachi found himself moving alone, the bulk of his armour offset by a liberal application of the Force to aid his movement across the ramshackle rooftops toward the casino. In his ear N'kal kept him informed but at the speed he traversed from roof to roof, none of it mattered. The darkness was on his side and if anyone had the inclination to look up they might see a blurred shadow, nothing more. Stranger things moved in the nights of Kafrene and most of the residents had that on their mind than something seen out of the corner of their eye.
He bridged a gap between two buildings and as his boots landed the calm was shattered on the other side of the station. The sound of numerous blaster shots sounded, the work of Nik and his boys no doubt. He only spared a moment to glance before continuing on. The casino wasn't much further and calling it a casino was a stretch, it was two apartments with the connecting wall on the bottom floor knocked out to give more space for the gambling tables and bar. Sal stopped, adjusted the optics on his visor and scoped in on the front of the building. Two heavies stood outside, lounging against the grimy walls and no doubt a dozen more patrolled the floors beyond. He weighed up his options and the equipment at his disposal; His saber, two thermal dets on his belt, the armours built in repeating blaster and DEMP gun. There was always the nuclear option, however...
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Master Buggie
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Re: Where Good Dreams Go Bad (BSP)
Original Post by Xerxes Nova...
"Lieutenant Colonel" growled Kunnandi in reply "I don't know what you've heard but, I certainly do not have a recruit for you at this time." The bothan raised his eyebrow, that merely made him look even more aloof and assured of himself in combination with the perpetual smirk. "I'm sorry Commander Kunnandi but, as the representative for the Combat Engineers within the Aurek fleet I feel I have every right to approach whoever meets our criteria and a drop out like yourself has no..." "Petty Officer" Oryon flinched at the use of his BSP rank, though he dared not retort not knowing who had spoken. "I believe I have said it many a time, though you may enjoy rank among your clan you have yet to show that you are worthy of such high station in my, or the eyes of my captains eyes. If you are going to disrespect Commander Kunnandi for prioritising the fleet and not her clans pissing contest then I may instruct those within Aurek fleet to ignore your erroneous title do I make myself clear." Kunnandi blinked, she had not expected the Admiral to come to her defence on this matter, he often ignored the intra-clan contests like this and in general though the fleets officially went by their BSP rank they did seem to respect the ranks attributed to the members of the specialists. She felt somewhat heartened by the Admiral's support, though it was true that she had left the CCE before really joining it was out of realisation that her issues with speech made her a liability in a charged field situation, not out of lack of skill.
"Very well Admiral" though he could not really show the embarrassment of the admonishment on his face it certainly came through in his voice, though he refused to lower his head. Pride was most certainly a vice but for Oryon Hudorra it was also strength, it may be a by-product of the bothan backstabbing political gainsaying system but, his pride could be bruised and when it was it simply pushed him to do better and overcome. However, though Kunnandi had nothing against the man she could not see him progressing, his combat skills were undeniable, on par with the best marauders, and his mind sharp in the heat of battle yet, his skills as a technician and engineer were lacklustre and he had raised to the position of Lieutenant Colonel and representative of the Combat Engineers within the heart of the Aurek fleet by political acumen rather than merit of his skills. When you look into his history as a combat engineer it was to see his victories being mainly those of combat rather than completing the job at hand but he somehow always managed to take credit for the work of the more competent engineers. Well she supposed that was a skill in itself but, one that had not got him the same promotional track within the BSP Aurek fleet where evidence of hard work and capability were required to advance and Kunnandi had, had to, on more than one occasion, fix a botched 'good enough' repair by Oryon on her climb up. It probably didn't help the situation of the pair that they had essentially been competing since they joined the organisation and each had succeeded where the other failed, well in the eyes of Oryon maybe. Kunnandi could care less for the achievements of Oryon so long as they were earned she would celebrate with him. Of course now she realised that with her recent taking over as head technician she was effectively his boss and his primary route for promotion would now have to be okayed by the person he saw as a rival, maybe that was why he seemed so glad at the prospect of snatching such a promising recruit away from her.
"Let's get back to the issue at hand" Oryon continue in a more demure manner "Commander let me assure you I have no intention of stealing a recruit from you Rating Nova has been on my rader for a while, thanks in part to Captain Allkar pointing out some of his achievements." Kunnandi let the use of Xerxes old rank slip for now but her brow furrowed, "You speak of his accomplishments but, though I admit he is certainly a very able mechanic and technical advisor on certain factors none of that would have brought him to the attention of the CCE." "Agreed, though I do not pretend to understand how another clan runs its specialists I have seen nothing in Nova's history with us to suggest that he is any good at combat. Surely that is something you as a combat division would want to assess." Oryon nodded at the Admiral's statement and then pulled out the holopad he carried and placed it before them. "I agree nothing in his service history, other than the bungled Elrood affair, would hint at his suitability but, what he is known to have done outside in his personal quest is another matter." He pulled up a report and still image "This is him and one Corran Veller breaking into a ship owned by a Hutt crime lord by the name of Troga, though this ended uneventfully it proves the risks he's willing to take. This is what Captain Allkar brought me, then we at the CCE started our own investigation." He pulled up several files, some recordings and witness accounts. "Most notable in his combat history is that he fought and survived with the former empress of the Empire one Krynn a well known and powerful Force user at the time, though she had recently fallen into obscurity." The images of the destruction after the encounter was astonishing "Then there is the case of Hafhall and the 'Wounded Peace'"
At the mention of the name of the notorious middle man and the den of iniquity of a space station the room's atmosphere was charged. The organisation kept tabs on the place of course and even influenced it on occasion but, they tried to have as few dealings with it as possible. "Hafhall is bad news by anyone's standards to be willing to turn to them" mused Brakken it was then the door slid open once more and Sash returned. "He didn't just turn to her, he dethroned her" the room was silent for a moment before the Mon Calamari broke it "Explain Hudorra" this was not a question it was a simple statement and the bothan had to wonder who he found more intimidating, the Captain or the Admiral, considering the way he got the impression daggers were being aimed at him at that moment he would have to say the Captain. He cleared his throat, stopping himself from coughing nervously "Hmm, Well yes, I was going to of course. You see he was at the 'Wounded Peace' but it seemed that Hafhall though had other plans, she had been paid to eliminate Rating Nova and had gathered all she could before luring him into a trap." Oryon pulled up the few witness statements he had managed to collect from those who hadn't taken the job and those who had cleaned up after. "It was a massacre by all accounts and one Hafhall, or Cyl'van as we now know her real name was can't remember, nor can she remember the name of Xerxes Nova yet the reaction its mention has on her." He pulled up a picture of a haggard looking cathar female used and abused as only those who live by the gates to hell can be. "To say she is deathly afraid of the name would be an understatement and a lot of her mind has been damaged but, nothing external can account for the wounds her mind had sustained. Needless to say with its leader reduced to snivelling deficient the network collapsed."
The room was silent for a very long time as the three original members looked over the extensive research Oryon had brought which included things at the recent base construction within Koorivan Sector which showed yet more perseverance and battle acumen but, they all kept returning to the Hafhall file. "Can he be trusted" to all's present surprise, including the speaker, it was Kunnandi who had spoken. His greatest supporter throughout this entire mess but, it had to be asked and she hated herself for being the one to voice it. "An apt question, we have standards and this Hafhall affair, though it doesn't break our rules it skirts a very fine line." "Well put Admiral, though she is no one's slave, she could very well have become so given the state she was apparently found in." There was no need for the apparently in the statement they had all seen the images and recordings of what she was like the day after the meeting apparently occurred, you could practically smell the effluent coming off the image. "It is indeed shocking but, can we really condemn it." "It would have been kinder to end it rather than leave her as she was." "Many have voiced the same sentiment but, I don't think Rating Nova knew how much damage he had done to her mind and leaving her alive to me speaks more of his humanity than his cruelty." "Explain" Oryon nodded to the Admiral "This happened nearly a year ago now, he has grown stronger and more competent with time and yet, though his search for those he calls family continues another such incident as this has not occurred." "Maybe he just hasn't been kind enough to let the others live" interjected Sash and Oryon shook his head. "That's just it you referred to it as a kindness to let her live yet wonder if he should not, for Rating Nova I think he wanted information, that's all he wants, his anger is aimed not at those who enslaved him but, at himself for not being able to rescue those he left behind. If Hafhall had given him the information willingly I don't think he would have resorted to such unpractised measures and everything we have from his psych evals says the same. He's not a Jedi or a Sith, he's not even a goddamn Shadow he's a kid trying to learn and find his family and family to him everything, he is willing to sacrifice himself a thousand times over to protect just one family member." "I don't find that very heartening," grumbled Brakken, "Neither do I," added Sash "if he felt that the best way to save his family was to betray the fleet," "You're essentially saying he'd have no compunction about doing so." Oryon realised what he had said and the mood in the room darkened until Kunnandi asked "Cu-Be, translate fujoolskilda and kuhob-whoya." There was a moments silence then "Both have the same translation Commander if I am correct that you meant fjölskylda and khobkhua, the former is Miralukese, though an obscure dialect and the latter Firrerreo both of which mean family."
Kunnandi smiled and it was Oryon who spoke "Care to share with us why you chose now to activate your translation droid?" "Given what you have said we can trust Midshipmen Nova, after all, those are the two words he uses to describe the organisation." She watched as realisation dawned on the others as well and sighed, the audible relief was not missed by the others but, they could all feel it just the same. It was then that Oryon picked up on what was said "Midshipmen Nova" Brakken nodded, "Yes apparently Captain Allkar used my absence at the last fleet meeting to rubber stamp Kunnandi's request" "Sith Spit" cursed Oryon "I was going to offer him the rank of Second Lieutenant since I knew the chances of his promotion in the fleet had been scuppered." "Well I'm sure he'll still take it if you offered it to him, who knows where someone like him would get promoted quicker" Kunnandi joked.
Xerxes docked his ship within 'The Luma Flares' priority docking bay and watched as the rating swarmed the ship setting about refuelling and resupplying. He didn't have time to question it but he wasn't sure if this was a good or a bad sign. He checked himself in the refreshers mirror one last time. Scrap had done an amazing job in laundering his dress uniform, the new pips on the lapel shown and the blue of his uniform was unblemished, even his tri-corner hat looked new. His blastsword was strapped to his right hip and an empty blaster was holster was one his left hip. The only things that weren't a part of his uniform was the lightsaber and shoto under his shirt and strapped to the small of his back. He didn't know why he was bringing them along, but, he couldn't shake the feeling that he should do so, futures were in motion it seemed and the Force wanted him prepared whatever may come. Sighing he turned, bade farewell to Tex, Scrap and the Twins and headed down the ramp and headed towards the Admiral's quarters wondering just what all this meant.
"Lieutenant Colonel" growled Kunnandi in reply "I don't know what you've heard but, I certainly do not have a recruit for you at this time." The bothan raised his eyebrow, that merely made him look even more aloof and assured of himself in combination with the perpetual smirk. "I'm sorry Commander Kunnandi but, as the representative for the Combat Engineers within the Aurek fleet I feel I have every right to approach whoever meets our criteria and a drop out like yourself has no..." "Petty Officer" Oryon flinched at the use of his BSP rank, though he dared not retort not knowing who had spoken. "I believe I have said it many a time, though you may enjoy rank among your clan you have yet to show that you are worthy of such high station in my, or the eyes of my captains eyes. If you are going to disrespect Commander Kunnandi for prioritising the fleet and not her clans pissing contest then I may instruct those within Aurek fleet to ignore your erroneous title do I make myself clear." Kunnandi blinked, she had not expected the Admiral to come to her defence on this matter, he often ignored the intra-clan contests like this and in general though the fleets officially went by their BSP rank they did seem to respect the ranks attributed to the members of the specialists. She felt somewhat heartened by the Admiral's support, though it was true that she had left the CCE before really joining it was out of realisation that her issues with speech made her a liability in a charged field situation, not out of lack of skill.
"Very well Admiral" though he could not really show the embarrassment of the admonishment on his face it certainly came through in his voice, though he refused to lower his head. Pride was most certainly a vice but for Oryon Hudorra it was also strength, it may be a by-product of the bothan backstabbing political gainsaying system but, his pride could be bruised and when it was it simply pushed him to do better and overcome. However, though Kunnandi had nothing against the man she could not see him progressing, his combat skills were undeniable, on par with the best marauders, and his mind sharp in the heat of battle yet, his skills as a technician and engineer were lacklustre and he had raised to the position of Lieutenant Colonel and representative of the Combat Engineers within the heart of the Aurek fleet by political acumen rather than merit of his skills. When you look into his history as a combat engineer it was to see his victories being mainly those of combat rather than completing the job at hand but he somehow always managed to take credit for the work of the more competent engineers. Well she supposed that was a skill in itself but, one that had not got him the same promotional track within the BSP Aurek fleet where evidence of hard work and capability were required to advance and Kunnandi had, had to, on more than one occasion, fix a botched 'good enough' repair by Oryon on her climb up. It probably didn't help the situation of the pair that they had essentially been competing since they joined the organisation and each had succeeded where the other failed, well in the eyes of Oryon maybe. Kunnandi could care less for the achievements of Oryon so long as they were earned she would celebrate with him. Of course now she realised that with her recent taking over as head technician she was effectively his boss and his primary route for promotion would now have to be okayed by the person he saw as a rival, maybe that was why he seemed so glad at the prospect of snatching such a promising recruit away from her.
"Let's get back to the issue at hand" Oryon continue in a more demure manner "Commander let me assure you I have no intention of stealing a recruit from you Rating Nova has been on my rader for a while, thanks in part to Captain Allkar pointing out some of his achievements." Kunnandi let the use of Xerxes old rank slip for now but her brow furrowed, "You speak of his accomplishments but, though I admit he is certainly a very able mechanic and technical advisor on certain factors none of that would have brought him to the attention of the CCE." "Agreed, though I do not pretend to understand how another clan runs its specialists I have seen nothing in Nova's history with us to suggest that he is any good at combat. Surely that is something you as a combat division would want to assess." Oryon nodded at the Admiral's statement and then pulled out the holopad he carried and placed it before them. "I agree nothing in his service history, other than the bungled Elrood affair, would hint at his suitability but, what he is known to have done outside in his personal quest is another matter." He pulled up a report and still image "This is him and one Corran Veller breaking into a ship owned by a Hutt crime lord by the name of Troga, though this ended uneventfully it proves the risks he's willing to take. This is what Captain Allkar brought me, then we at the CCE started our own investigation." He pulled up several files, some recordings and witness accounts. "Most notable in his combat history is that he fought and survived with the former empress of the Empire one Krynn a well known and powerful Force user at the time, though she had recently fallen into obscurity." The images of the destruction after the encounter was astonishing "Then there is the case of Hafhall and the 'Wounded Peace'"
At the mention of the name of the notorious middle man and the den of iniquity of a space station the room's atmosphere was charged. The organisation kept tabs on the place of course and even influenced it on occasion but, they tried to have as few dealings with it as possible. "Hafhall is bad news by anyone's standards to be willing to turn to them" mused Brakken it was then the door slid open once more and Sash returned. "He didn't just turn to her, he dethroned her" the room was silent for a moment before the Mon Calamari broke it "Explain Hudorra" this was not a question it was a simple statement and the bothan had to wonder who he found more intimidating, the Captain or the Admiral, considering the way he got the impression daggers were being aimed at him at that moment he would have to say the Captain. He cleared his throat, stopping himself from coughing nervously "Hmm, Well yes, I was going to of course. You see he was at the 'Wounded Peace' but it seemed that Hafhall though had other plans, she had been paid to eliminate Rating Nova and had gathered all she could before luring him into a trap." Oryon pulled up the few witness statements he had managed to collect from those who hadn't taken the job and those who had cleaned up after. "It was a massacre by all accounts and one Hafhall, or Cyl'van as we now know her real name was can't remember, nor can she remember the name of Xerxes Nova yet the reaction its mention has on her." He pulled up a picture of a haggard looking cathar female used and abused as only those who live by the gates to hell can be. "To say she is deathly afraid of the name would be an understatement and a lot of her mind has been damaged but, nothing external can account for the wounds her mind had sustained. Needless to say with its leader reduced to snivelling deficient the network collapsed."
The room was silent for a very long time as the three original members looked over the extensive research Oryon had brought which included things at the recent base construction within Koorivan Sector which showed yet more perseverance and battle acumen but, they all kept returning to the Hafhall file. "Can he be trusted" to all's present surprise, including the speaker, it was Kunnandi who had spoken. His greatest supporter throughout this entire mess but, it had to be asked and she hated herself for being the one to voice it. "An apt question, we have standards and this Hafhall affair, though it doesn't break our rules it skirts a very fine line." "Well put Admiral, though she is no one's slave, she could very well have become so given the state she was apparently found in." There was no need for the apparently in the statement they had all seen the images and recordings of what she was like the day after the meeting apparently occurred, you could practically smell the effluent coming off the image. "It is indeed shocking but, can we really condemn it." "It would have been kinder to end it rather than leave her as she was." "Many have voiced the same sentiment but, I don't think Rating Nova knew how much damage he had done to her mind and leaving her alive to me speaks more of his humanity than his cruelty." "Explain" Oryon nodded to the Admiral "This happened nearly a year ago now, he has grown stronger and more competent with time and yet, though his search for those he calls family continues another such incident as this has not occurred." "Maybe he just hasn't been kind enough to let the others live" interjected Sash and Oryon shook his head. "That's just it you referred to it as a kindness to let her live yet wonder if he should not, for Rating Nova I think he wanted information, that's all he wants, his anger is aimed not at those who enslaved him but, at himself for not being able to rescue those he left behind. If Hafhall had given him the information willingly I don't think he would have resorted to such unpractised measures and everything we have from his psych evals says the same. He's not a Jedi or a Sith, he's not even a goddamn Shadow he's a kid trying to learn and find his family and family to him everything, he is willing to sacrifice himself a thousand times over to protect just one family member." "I don't find that very heartening," grumbled Brakken, "Neither do I," added Sash "if he felt that the best way to save his family was to betray the fleet," "You're essentially saying he'd have no compunction about doing so." Oryon realised what he had said and the mood in the room darkened until Kunnandi asked "Cu-Be, translate fujoolskilda and kuhob-whoya." There was a moments silence then "Both have the same translation Commander if I am correct that you meant fjölskylda and khobkhua, the former is Miralukese, though an obscure dialect and the latter Firrerreo both of which mean family."
Kunnandi smiled and it was Oryon who spoke "Care to share with us why you chose now to activate your translation droid?" "Given what you have said we can trust Midshipmen Nova, after all, those are the two words he uses to describe the organisation." She watched as realisation dawned on the others as well and sighed, the audible relief was not missed by the others but, they could all feel it just the same. It was then that Oryon picked up on what was said "Midshipmen Nova" Brakken nodded, "Yes apparently Captain Allkar used my absence at the last fleet meeting to rubber stamp Kunnandi's request" "Sith Spit" cursed Oryon "I was going to offer him the rank of Second Lieutenant since I knew the chances of his promotion in the fleet had been scuppered." "Well I'm sure he'll still take it if you offered it to him, who knows where someone like him would get promoted quicker" Kunnandi joked.
Xerxes docked his ship within 'The Luma Flares' priority docking bay and watched as the rating swarmed the ship setting about refuelling and resupplying. He didn't have time to question it but he wasn't sure if this was a good or a bad sign. He checked himself in the refreshers mirror one last time. Scrap had done an amazing job in laundering his dress uniform, the new pips on the lapel shown and the blue of his uniform was unblemished, even his tri-corner hat looked new. His blastsword was strapped to his right hip and an empty blaster was holster was one his left hip. The only things that weren't a part of his uniform was the lightsaber and shoto under his shirt and strapped to the small of his back. He didn't know why he was bringing them along, but, he couldn't shake the feeling that he should do so, futures were in motion it seemed and the Force wanted him prepared whatever may come. Sighing he turned, bade farewell to Tex, Scrap and the Twins and headed down the ramp and headed towards the Admiral's quarters wondering just what all this meant.
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Master Buggie
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Re: Where Good Dreams Go Bad (BSP)
Original Post by Jak Bexel...
****THAND SECTOR, 31 ABY****
Deep in the quiet of space sailed a derelict freighter registered as The Artists' Way. It being short of signal and aesthetic verve, The Way hosted a band of entertainers - puppeteers, musicians, traveling actors, etc. - with the purpose of spreading art and culture throughout the galaxy. As the ship found itself on many planets, the occupants would change often. For example, Tattooine would yield Jizz bands. Corellia would see a flock of hard-living folk musicians who made their names busking in the streets. Hapes had the prettiest actors, empty-headed they may be. It was an idealistic crusade, but the repurposed Baleen-class heavy freighter drifted unmolested, its course set for The Ring of Kafrene.
It also had stowaways. Namely:
Jak had etched out a plan to cut off the sickness of the RKR at the head. It would involve cover idents and cloak-and-dagger strikes, but any other option would end in embarrassment. He was devoted to seeing this plan through, and he was confident this would make his new family proud. By setting them up for a successful raid and takeover of valuable real estate, he would make it to Captain and finally earn the rank.
"This is your Captain speaking," buzzed in a calm Neimoudian voice on the freighter's intercom system. "We will be arriving on Kafrene in fifteen standard. Due to solar flares on the northern quadrant, we must first disembark the craft on the far ends, to avoid electrical malfunctions that would cause our freight compartments to disconnect from the ship, sending our passengers hurdling into space. That's a thrilling thought, don't you think? Falling into space forever and ever until you're just a burning memory in the night sky?"
Jak looked upwards and furrowed his brow at the insipid intercom. A slight headshake motion did happen as well, followed by an exasperated shrug. His team sat around him in their cramped living quarters, the arrival on the far ends coinciding with their sleep cycles. Coffee was on, it poured hot and with a triumphant flavor of over-caffeinated determination. BSP bribed The Way into diverting their landing pattern for this occasion, as a means of silently shuttling their crew into the dark land of the Raiders. He took one long sip and activated a holomap, beginning his briefing.
"Good morning. In fifteen, we will depart this ship and begin a mission that will ultimately bring us this outpost. This plan has been constructed with great care. My hypothesis: The Ring of Kafrene operates on a microcosmic level, its streets operating as its ground floor. Control the streets, control the Ring. Its lowest depths are controlled by a continuous schematic. As the black market shipments arrive, the schematic changes to accommodate the flow of the market. This alone is how the Red Key Raiders got the drop on our guys. For proof..."
Clicking a button on a small remote, Jak pulled up surveillance footage of the Raiders' initial attack on the Big Three pirates.
"Notice at the time of attack, our friends look confused. Pay close attention to the storefronts."
Another click, another image from the same surveillance camera hours later. The bodies are gone, but so too are the adjoining storefronts; their tents are ten meters apart. Stretch made an audible acknowledgement of genius.
"Everyone's involved. Whether they know it or not. I don't wish to pretend that everyone's hands are dirty, but the manipulation of the floorplan to allow for the Raiders to not only kill them but viciously stalk them like a paddy frog in a mirrored tank... that's just an insult. They toyed with our brothers. Now it's out turn."
"But how can one control this when the streets change at their whim?" Red Eye questioned.
"They have command posts, operating far from the action or in plain sight. I'm going to bet it's a far away observer. Can't see the forest for the trees, but with distance you can see the whole picture," responded Jak. "You have each been given fake idents. They're flimsy, but they'll work where we are headed. We won't need to hold it too long. We just need to pass ourselves off as new people to the planet until I can find out who's configuring the layouts."
He opened the holomap of yesterday's map. "Structurally, Harold has noticed three choke points that stay the same in every re-instance. Now there's eight of us. These three places will be nerve clusters of the operation, so we will need to draw them out bit by bit and not face them head on. The first point is within the southern perimeter, where we are docking. Red Eyes and Ellem have determined the requisite power lines to blow, thus creating a distraction brought on by decayed infrastructure. In the confusion, Arruna and I will neutralize the outpost. With that covered, we will have lodgings to set up shop. Mums will accompany Stretch from afar, and the three of you will find our second point of attack - a beacon relay by the fashion district. We only need activity logs. Nothing to tip us off. Stretch and Harold will pose as a maintenance workers for the holotheater next door that has rooftop access to the beacon. Mums, keep your eye on our boys. If anyone gets close enough, you know what to do. The Horns will gather intel at the Rising Tide Cantina, a popular Raider hangout. Find the quietest guy in there, squeeze him good and hard. We have exactly 48 hours to execute this plan."
This was not something anyone else was privvy to but Stretch and the droids. Jak could sense their breathing tighten, and offered a final word: "It is my belief that with a single focus and determination, we can weaken the Raiders enough for our Feared Captain Krussk to bring the cavalry. Any questions, I'll field them on the road. You know all you need, and you're all very capable. I'll see you all at the outpost."
Mums fastened his holodaggers against the tight bandolier rig that hid deep beneath the stained robes of a painter. Stretch had spent the night fashioning a helmet that would aide them in the underworld and also protect Jak's identity. The Horn Sisters began to don their created identities of posh women of affluence lost after a wrong turn. Harold was painted a matte black while Ellem a uniform dull gray.
His shoulder rigs in place, print-scrambling gloves tight around his hands and peasant robes smothering his lightly-armored frame, Jak took his helmet from Stretch and gave it a look. This was going to be daunting, but he was ready for anything. It was Blue Star time.
****THAND SECTOR, 31 ABY****
Deep in the quiet of space sailed a derelict freighter registered as The Artists' Way. It being short of signal and aesthetic verve, The Way hosted a band of entertainers - puppeteers, musicians, traveling actors, etc. - with the purpose of spreading art and culture throughout the galaxy. As the ship found itself on many planets, the occupants would change often. For example, Tattooine would yield Jizz bands. Corellia would see a flock of hard-living folk musicians who made their names busking in the streets. Hapes had the prettiest actors, empty-headed they may be. It was an idealistic crusade, but the repurposed Baleen-class heavy freighter drifted unmolested, its course set for The Ring of Kafrene.
It also had stowaways. Namely:
- First Mate Jak Bexel of the Blue Star Pirates
First Mate and Noted Former Sith, Arruna Lom
Quarterman Stretch
First Made Red Eyes, Gran Technician
Private Mums, Weequay Whisperer
The Horn Sisters, Tessa and Riz
HR-01, aka Harold, modified labor droid
LM-11, "Ellem", ball droid
Jak had etched out a plan to cut off the sickness of the RKR at the head. It would involve cover idents and cloak-and-dagger strikes, but any other option would end in embarrassment. He was devoted to seeing this plan through, and he was confident this would make his new family proud. By setting them up for a successful raid and takeover of valuable real estate, he would make it to Captain and finally earn the rank.
"This is your Captain speaking," buzzed in a calm Neimoudian voice on the freighter's intercom system. "We will be arriving on Kafrene in fifteen standard. Due to solar flares on the northern quadrant, we must first disembark the craft on the far ends, to avoid electrical malfunctions that would cause our freight compartments to disconnect from the ship, sending our passengers hurdling into space. That's a thrilling thought, don't you think? Falling into space forever and ever until you're just a burning memory in the night sky?"
Jak looked upwards and furrowed his brow at the insipid intercom. A slight headshake motion did happen as well, followed by an exasperated shrug. His team sat around him in their cramped living quarters, the arrival on the far ends coinciding with their sleep cycles. Coffee was on, it poured hot and with a triumphant flavor of over-caffeinated determination. BSP bribed The Way into diverting their landing pattern for this occasion, as a means of silently shuttling their crew into the dark land of the Raiders. He took one long sip and activated a holomap, beginning his briefing.
"Good morning. In fifteen, we will depart this ship and begin a mission that will ultimately bring us this outpost. This plan has been constructed with great care. My hypothesis: The Ring of Kafrene operates on a microcosmic level, its streets operating as its ground floor. Control the streets, control the Ring. Its lowest depths are controlled by a continuous schematic. As the black market shipments arrive, the schematic changes to accommodate the flow of the market. This alone is how the Red Key Raiders got the drop on our guys. For proof..."
Clicking a button on a small remote, Jak pulled up surveillance footage of the Raiders' initial attack on the Big Three pirates.
"Notice at the time of attack, our friends look confused. Pay close attention to the storefronts."
Another click, another image from the same surveillance camera hours later. The bodies are gone, but so too are the adjoining storefronts; their tents are ten meters apart. Stretch made an audible acknowledgement of genius.
"Everyone's involved. Whether they know it or not. I don't wish to pretend that everyone's hands are dirty, but the manipulation of the floorplan to allow for the Raiders to not only kill them but viciously stalk them like a paddy frog in a mirrored tank... that's just an insult. They toyed with our brothers. Now it's out turn."
"But how can one control this when the streets change at their whim?" Red Eye questioned.
"They have command posts, operating far from the action or in plain sight. I'm going to bet it's a far away observer. Can't see the forest for the trees, but with distance you can see the whole picture," responded Jak. "You have each been given fake idents. They're flimsy, but they'll work where we are headed. We won't need to hold it too long. We just need to pass ourselves off as new people to the planet until I can find out who's configuring the layouts."
He opened the holomap of yesterday's map. "Structurally, Harold has noticed three choke points that stay the same in every re-instance. Now there's eight of us. These three places will be nerve clusters of the operation, so we will need to draw them out bit by bit and not face them head on. The first point is within the southern perimeter, where we are docking. Red Eyes and Ellem have determined the requisite power lines to blow, thus creating a distraction brought on by decayed infrastructure. In the confusion, Arruna and I will neutralize the outpost. With that covered, we will have lodgings to set up shop. Mums will accompany Stretch from afar, and the three of you will find our second point of attack - a beacon relay by the fashion district. We only need activity logs. Nothing to tip us off. Stretch and Harold will pose as a maintenance workers for the holotheater next door that has rooftop access to the beacon. Mums, keep your eye on our boys. If anyone gets close enough, you know what to do. The Horns will gather intel at the Rising Tide Cantina, a popular Raider hangout. Find the quietest guy in there, squeeze him good and hard. We have exactly 48 hours to execute this plan."
This was not something anyone else was privvy to but Stretch and the droids. Jak could sense their breathing tighten, and offered a final word: "It is my belief that with a single focus and determination, we can weaken the Raiders enough for our Feared Captain Krussk to bring the cavalry. Any questions, I'll field them on the road. You know all you need, and you're all very capable. I'll see you all at the outpost."
Mums fastened his holodaggers against the tight bandolier rig that hid deep beneath the stained robes of a painter. Stretch had spent the night fashioning a helmet that would aide them in the underworld and also protect Jak's identity. The Horn Sisters began to don their created identities of posh women of affluence lost after a wrong turn. Harold was painted a matte black while Ellem a uniform dull gray.
His shoulder rigs in place, print-scrambling gloves tight around his hands and peasant robes smothering his lightly-armored frame, Jak took his helmet from Stretch and gave it a look. This was going to be daunting, but he was ready for anything. It was Blue Star time.