CONTINUED: A Captive Audience (Derric)

[Ordona Vandorak]

OOC: Previously

Dark dreams were a staple for Ordona of late. Memories mingled with half imagined demons of the past and future and took flight through her sleeping mind more often than not. But not this time. Not aboard the captured slaver ship with Derric at the helm. Ordona slept the dreamless slumber of total exhaustion and was grateful for it when she woke up. She still snapped fully awake the instant they docked, a reflex that was as much training as it was an innate trait in the ex-Sith and the life she led. She dressed quickly and joined Starr as they disembarked.

Ordona listened as Starr gave sparse details of their meeting and the events that followed, nodding along as he spoke. When he was dismissed, the Toydarian turned to her with an offer she hadn’t expected. Her jaw fell open briefly and she sat quietly, staring at the alien for longer than felt appropriate. But it wasn’t a decision that she could enter into lightly. She told him as much and he merely nodded, waiting for her to make a choice.

“I… I don’t know what I have to offer the Alliance. Osik. I probably have warrants out for my arrest on a number of Alliance planets and I can’t say they’re not deserved. What I’ve done in the past…” She let it hang, still reeling from the offer in front of her.

“I think,” she paused, considering her words carefully, “I think I’d like the chance to make up for what I’ve done. This would be the start of that. But I understand if you look into my past and have me arrested instead of enlisted.” She tried to sound nonchalant, but her heart felt like it might beat out of her chest.

[Derric Starr]

Deelto fluttered about and waited as Ordona spoke, he liked to consider himself a fair judge of character, and whatever her past had been the woman who was before him now, spoke as one seeking redemption. As she finished he settled down and took a tentative step toward her.

"I will say this, the Galactic Alliance is not a place for fear or living in fear of the past. I will be looking into your history, but I believe you are genuinely speaking in this moment. No doubt the Alliance will have words for you in the days to come, as your words suggest much to be discovered of your past. But if you are willing to move forward, to do what you can to make amends for the things you have done as you say you are. If you truly wish to seek this form of redemption. Then I will sentence you to redemption..."

After watching her expression he continued to speak, his words direct and to the point.

"You wish to change or to make up for your past, than I suggest you do just that. If you have warrants for your arrest than you have places to go and governments to seek atonement for. Let us say you are excepted into the Galactic Alliance for a probationary term, during this time, we will see just how truthfully you seek redemption. How much you truly wish to make up for your past...

And if you are wondering why I am willing to give you a chance even knowing you have been an enemy to your cause, the answer is simple. The Jedi have shown that even their natural enemies the Sith can be redeemed, at least those who come of their own accord and seek to change. We will be watching your progress and I would suggest that any time you take a trip to atone for your past that you request an Alliance escort to help you smooth over an issues you may run into. It would be a shame if you were arrested and not able to continue your path of redemption.

If there is nothing else, you are free to go on your way,...

Oh an welcome to the Alliance Ordona Vandorak"

[Ordona Vandorak]

It was the opening of the dam, slowly, surely, letting water eek through to the dry river bed of Ordona’s hope. She’d been without it for so long and it felt almost dangerous now that it was returning. She stiffened when he mentioned Sith and Jedi, worried that he already knew too much. Her hand started toward her sabers before she caught herself, remembering both that she’d left them in her room and that she wouldn’t resort to that anymore.

This is it, she thought. This was what it was like to feel vulnerable for the right reasons, to try to do the right thing. She’d done it before, when it was convenient. But now she would make a choice to do so regularly and intentionally. Even if it cost her dearly. Even if it hurt.

She nodded at the Toydarian, giving a slight bow and a tentative smile. Her whispered words may or may not have been loud enough to reach his ears as she departed the room, going to meet Derric and see what kind of life the Alliance had in store for a dangerous ex-Sith who now had hope for redemption.

“Thank you.”

[Derric Starr]

OOC As of this point the recruitment is officially complete. I think this is a goo dpoint to wrap the thread up with a final post on your part, and we can move on yippie.

Starr leaned against the wall just opposite the doorway of the room, The passageways of the Marquise-Class Star Defender gave plenty of room for his slouching leaning position, relaxed and at ease. There was a world of weight slowly lifting from his shoulders as he felt the tension through the Way lift from within the room he waited outside of. It was just as simple as that for him wait and see, no need to pry with the Way Ordona was already on edge and the intrusion might have been a push she hadn't needed.

He waited until she stepped out of the room relief and the look that hide the vulnerability she felt from view was on her face but her eyes they were looking for him. He figured one way or another she would look for him which was why he waited directly across from the room silently for her exit.

"I'm guessing a good stiff drink is in order, and not just out of celebration at not being carted off to a penal colony. I know just the man and the place for such a drink. I think it's time we both relaxed for a bit."

[Ordona Vandorak]

Ordona nodded, offering a tentative smile in return for his words. She was still in the throws of her emotions and a drink seemed as good a way as any to start sorting them out. The pair walked in a comfortable silence, Ordona following Derric's steps just a few behind and to the left. She looked at him, her eyes roaming his profile.

There were scars there, some visible, some buried deep. The stories of a life lived, sometimes hard. Still, Ordona mused, we all carry them. Space knows I've got more than a few of my own. The thought stopped her for some reason and she looked inward, following the path the feeling left behind to find its source. When she had, she waited for Derric to notice before speaking.

"I've been trying to avoid getting hurt. I guess it's time to grow up and try to avoid inflicting it, instead." She left it at that want was grateful that Derric didn't press her further. She smiled as they resumed walking. Yes. A good Corellian ale would do just fine.