Mercenary Crew: Age of the Empire

[Writer]

"Actually, it does bother me," Wade answered stiffly. "He is not to be harmed in transit."

 

"You plan on talkin' him to death, Goren?" Jana asked, amused. "Seeing as we're not gonna let you through the containment shield, that's your best bet." She turned to Wade. "He wants to talk to Galaxy Killer, we can let him, but we'll be close to be sure he doesn't do anything foolish."

 

She turned to Jack and said, "I just finished telling Beryl that we're a family. We don't want to loose any of our family, so I'd really appreciate it if all you'd consider doing is talking."

[steven]

"Just a private word.. and maybe a punch. The guy doesn't desrive death. Death would mercy. And he doesn't diserve an ounce of that" Said Jack, in his normal cold, empty voice.

[Writer]

"No!" Wade protested. "We're not giving him the chance to get out! He'd kill us all."

 

"For once I'll agree with our passenger," Jana said. She turned to Jack. "Look, I understand you're mad at him for what he did, but maybe you haven't heard that many stories about him. He'd kill you before you even realized he wanted to."

[JasraLantill]

Still lingering at the ladder, Beryl listened with interest at the conversation happening between Jack and Jana.

 

"The guy doesn't deserve death," she heard Jack say. "Death would mercy. And he doesn't diserve an ounce of that."

 

Beryl brightened. "Hey, Jack," she said to him. "You could always cook for him tonight?" she suggested, hoping to get out of galley duty tonight. She grinned. "That's enough like torture for the guy's first night on board, isn't it?"

[Writer]

"No!" Wade protested again. "He's not leaving his cell!"

 

Jana laughed. "Yes, I can just imagine the Galaxy Killer in the kitchen, burning our dinner because he was so busy killing us." She shook her head. "Still trying to get out of it, Beryl? Darn! Was thinkin' of puttin' you in charge of meals permanently... whenever you're not getting into fights, gambling with Nic, or blasting TIEs in the Headhunter."

 

"Come on, Beryl," she went on seriously. "You're good at meal-making and Nic hasn't yet caved in to my pleas for a cook, so until he does we're on the schedule... and you are next."

[JasraLantill]

Beryl opened her mouth to protest, but then reconsidered as there was a passenger there. And a uniformed one at that. Probably wouldn’t inspire Captain Wade to have much confidence in the Echo’s ability to transport a dangerous prisoner if he saw her try to argue with the first mate. Besides there was always the possibility that Jana might always make good on her jovial threat to make Beryl a ‘galley slave’. Inside, she shuddered at the thought.

 

“Yeah, all right,” she said casually. “Erm…I mean, yes, ma’am,” she added respectfully as an afterthought. After all, ‘Captain’ Wade was watching. “Dinner in an hour, if that’s alright with you, sir,” she said as she passed Captain Wade and started down the corridor.

 

Nice looking guy, she thought. Too bad he’s in law enforcement. Never could deal with men in authoritative positions. But he looked like the type that wouldn’t mind eating Nuna Cacciatore.

 

Just outside the med bay, she paused for a brief moment. Her nose wrinkled at the strong odour of alcohol seeping from behind the door. “Oh, that’s appetizing,” she said under her breath as she grimaced. Okay, menu change. Nuna Cacciatore for the rest of us, and strong coffee for Impe. Very strong coffee.

[stingerhs]

((dang it. i really hate missing all the action. oh well, here we go...))

 

Ryshana could feel something coming towards the hangar and turned her head towards the entrance. All she could feel was something terrible coming, and that meant one thing: someone had found her.

 

"Captain! We've got storm troopers advancing on our location! I'm guessing nows the time we leave?"

 

Already inside the Echo, Ryshana quickly found an empty room and turned the corner quickly. As the Echo took off, Ryshana released her lightsaber that was concealed in her clothes. Strapping into a nearby chair, Ryshana concentrated on the battle outside. She could feel the enemy pilots desperately trying to destroy the Echo, and she could also feel them die as the crew shot them out one by one. It was an all too familier feeling of that of someone dying but knowing that person wouldn't trouble her any longer. All it did was make Ryshana grimace inside.

 

After the maneuvering stopped, Ryshana just remained sitting in the chair with her head leaning backwards. She felt surprisingly exhausted and slowly began to shut her eyes....

 

Ryshana quickly opened her eyes and checked a nearby terminal for the time: just three minutes of sleep. Well, hopefully this won't be a very exciting trip, Ryshana thought. Finally unstrapping herself, Ryshana exited the small room and headed up towards what she assumed was the meeting room. Seeing Jana, Ryshana felt slightly relieved. "So, about that tour you were talking about..."

[Writer]

Jana smiled. "Ah, yes. The tour. Now that we've evaded the Imperials, I can give that to you." She began to lead Ryshana up toward the cockpit, but stopped at the sight of Wade.

 

"Oh, Ryshana Uti, this is Captain Elliott Wade of the Alderaan Police," she said. "Captain, this is our third passenger."

 

"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Uti," Wade said, bowing slightly.

 

"Captain Wade is taking a prisoner back to Alderaan," Jana explained.

[starmark2k]

Nic had left Jana and Beryl to tend to their guest, he desided to leave assoon as Jana started up her old arguement for a permanant cook. He went back into his room and changed his clothing to slightly more casual outfit. He often did this on long flights as he thought it was better to be confidatible and there was no point in Wearing armour when no one would be shooting at him. He did consider their prisoner for a moment, but he Just thought "Clouds a genius, The prisoner ain't going anywhere."

 

Nic left his room and went into the Common room, Beryl was Cooking while Jana, Wade and the other passenger spoke. He walked over to the group and caught the conversation.

 

"Captain Wade is taking a prisoner back to Alderaan," Jana explained.

 

"and the 'eye balls' n' bucket heads obviously wanted him so thats why we had the speedy getaway, aswell as the poor excuse for a TIE attack." Nic said with a Smile looking at Ryshana "I hope it wasn't to stressful."

[ExtreamJedi12]

Cloud heard something about 'eye balls and bucketheads'." He figued they were talking about TIEs and stormtroopers. "I wonder if I really seen that Ryshana." Cloud thinks. He goes to his room and brings up an Imperial database and searches up 'Ryshana Uti'. "Why am I doing this?" Cloud thinks. "This is wrong. She deserves some privacy." Cloud leaves his room, unknowingly leaving the database on, showing a bounty sheet for Ryshana.

[stingerhs]

((just a note there: the last name of Uti is just a cover for Ryshana's real last name. ))

 

"Oh, Ryshana Uti, this is Captain Elliott Wade of the Alderaan Police," she said. "Captain, this is our third passenger."

"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Uti," Wade said, bowing slightly.

"Captain Wade is taking a prisoner back to Alderaan," Jana explained.

 

"And it's good to meet you Captain Wade," Ryshana stated as she returned the bow.

 

"and the 'eye balls' n' bucket heads obviously wanted him so thats why we had the speedy getaway, aswell as the poor excuse for a TIE attack." Nic said with a Smile looking at Ryshana "I hope it wasn't to stressful."

 

"Not a problem. Its been a while since I've been on a ship in combat, but it doesn't exactly measure up to anything that I've dealt with before. Its not something I missed from the Clone Wars, but it does bring back a couple of memories," Ryshana replied to Nic.

[JasraLantill]

"Not a problem. Its been a while since I've been on a ship in combat, but it doesn't exactly measure up to anything that I've dealt with before. Its not something I missed from the Clone Wars, but it does bring back a couple of memories."

 

Ship in combat? Clone Wars? Beryl stopped chopping up the nuna, and looked up with interest at the newcomer. From behind the galley bar, she discreetly observed the T'wilek. Ryshana didn't look much like an average soldier or even an officer to Beryl, but then again not everyone who fought in the Wars was a soldier....

 

Ach, it's none of my business, Beryl thought to herself. She shrugged and went back to preparing dinner.

[starmark2k]

Nic was surprised to hear that there passenger was involved in the War, but he then thought that Jana suspected she was with this new Rebel alliance. Nic had heard a few things about this rebel alliance mainly from Beryl who had two brothers in it. At the moment the Rebel Alliance was little more then a loose affiliation of small Rebellion groups that were trying to resist the Empire on their home-worlds. The groups had little contact with each other at the moment they mainly traded with each othe, If one group stole a surplus of weapons they would trade the leftovers with a group with none or little. There are rumours that Bail organa and Mon mothma are attempting to make it more but Nic thinks nothing will happen.

 

"You're a fellow Clone War Vet', Well i say i'm a Veterin but i didn't see much of the war on Naboo, When the clones moved in i bearly did basic police Work." Nic said to the Twi'lek "Where did you serve?"

[stingerhs]

"Its not a matter of where I served, but how. I was actually a Seperatist Mercenary recruited from Saleucami. Us Mercenaries didn't have a very glorious role in the War, though. My squad was primarily involved in sabotage and such. Although my last stint was at the end of the war during the 5 month Republic siege of Saleucami as a fighter pilot. But then I was fighting much more for the protection of my homeworld than the Seperatists.

 

Now, there is no Confederation nor a Republic. Both sides are gone, and now I just have to wonder who was truely defeated in the war."

[starmark2k]

"We all were." Nic answered, Nic didn't hold on to the past that much, He saw the war for what it was a diversion to distract everyone from what was really going on. The only person who won was the supreme chancelor turned Emperor. Nic had no problems with the sepritists, he now feels they may have been the right side.

[steven]

You intent to just lie on your bed while my killer is a few rooms down A young causain bruenet stood beside Jack as he tried to get a bit of sleep before the first stop.

"Yep. That's the plan" He replied.

Those enchancements those scientics gave you gives you a huge advantage over that phyco. You can kill him The women said, failing to presade Jack to kill their second passenger.

"Can. Wouldn't. Now go away"Ordered Jack

No Goren! You just dont care! Do you! You dont give a crap at a cold blooded murder is on your ship

"Nope" Jack pulled out a sirign and injected himself with a blue liquid that put him straight to sleep but not before saying "Another 7 hours till first stop. Have enough time... For sleep"

[JasraLantill]

As she finished preparing dinner, Beryl listened unobtrusively to the conversation taking place between Nic and Ryshana.

 

"… Separatist Mercenary recruited from Saleucami,” said Ryshana. “Us Mercenaries didn't have a very glorious role in the War, though.”

 

Yeah. Right. She’s just being modest, thought Beryl.

 

“… primarily involved in sabotage…”

 

Sabotage? Sabotage can be glorious. At least, that what my brother Joshi told me. Then again, he also told me that there was such a thing as a closet monster when I was five. Liar.

 

“… last stint was at the end of the war…”

 

That’s when the best fighting takes place! Plenty of glory opportunities!

 

“…. Republic siege of Saleucami as a fighter pilot.”

 

Beryl arched an eyebrow. Fighter pilot? Did she say fighter pilot? Ha! I knew she wasn’t a common grunt soldier!

 

“….fighting much more for the protection of my homeworld than the Seperatists.”

 

As good of a reason as any.

 

“Now, there is no Confederation nor a Republic.”

 

No. Just a crusty old Emperor and his handful of puppets with their own delusions of grandeur. Like our own bantha-brained Diktat on Corellia.

 

“Both sides are gone…”

 

Well, there is still the Rebellion. And don’t forget the good ol’ Corporate Sector Authority with their highly annoying ‘Espos’! Not much better than Imp’s, but they do wear more fashionable uniforms.

 

“… have to wonder who was truly defeated in the war."

 

"We all were,” said Nic.

 

Erm…what?!

 

Even though it was against her better judgement, Beryl felt compelled to speak on behalf of her three brothers out there fighting for the Rebellion. She hadn’t heard from any of them in months and it was beginning to get to her.

 

“Hey! Who says the war is over?” she said to them, with a slight air of indignity. “There’s a Corellian saying, ‘A war isn’t over until the last soldier is buried.’ And from what I’ve seen, there are still plenty of ‘Republic’ sympathisers slash soldiers running about out there. And…”

 

The timer on the re-heater binged.

 

Whew! Saved by the bell! She didn’t want to go into any more detail about her brothers or her own Rebellion sympathies in front of a stranger. Yeah, Ryshana said she was a former Separatist, but that didn’t mean she was still one now. Beryl flashed Nic a quick grin. “Dinner’s ready, chief!”

[starmark2k]

Nic Smiled, Beryl could be quite emotional when it came to her family. "Kay people, Grubs up." Nic said and moved over to the table, he pointed over to the Availible seats for the guests to take as he sat down at the head of the table.

 

((This is one of those Character development parts when we can talk about our characters past live with people asking question while they eat.))

[steven]

Jack's eyes snapped open "Damm you Nick" He must of release I was taking the sleep stuff and switched it which bubble-gum flavoured juice.

He then heard nick shout out "Kay people, grups up"

 

Jack jumped off the bed and walked to the dinner table. He sat down at his usuall seat and waited for everyone else to join.

[stingerhs]

“Hey! Who says the war is over?” she said to them, with a slight air of indignity. “There’s a Corellian saying, ‘A war isn’t over until the last soldier is buried.’ And from what I’ve seen, there are still plenty of ‘Republic’ sympathisers slash soldiers running about out there. And…”

 

"Perhaps, but the Repbulic no longer exists. It is difficult to sympathise for a cause if the cause no longer remains. Besides, the Clone Wars are over. If another war rises to take its place, then it will be a very different war of which this galaxy hasn't seen since the Sith Remnant tried to retain their empire through mass scale treachery, sabotage, and guerilla warfare over 4,000 years ago," Ryshana theorized.

 

"Kay people, Grubs up." Nic said and moved over to the table, he pointed over to the Availible seats for the guests to take as he sat down at the head of the table.

 

Well, I guess I could use some food, Ryshana thought while remembering the fried Krayt Eggs she had back at the spaceport. Besides, it smells delicious.

[ExtreamJedi12]

When Cloud heard dinner was ready, he was on his way back to his room. "Coming." Cloud shouted. He quickly made his way to the mess hall. "What's for dinner?"

[starmark2k]

"Beryl's Nuna Cacciatore." Nic answered to his engineer and turned his head to Ryshana "So Miss Uti, Care to tell us why you are going to Alderaan?"

[JasraLantill]

Jana and Captain Wade were on their way to the table, but before Beryl sat down (cause she’d been serving the plates up) Beryl did a quick headcount. Then she frowned. Without a word, she walked purposefully out of the common room and down the corridor.

 

She stopped directly in front of the med bay door and banged heavily on it. “Impe! Chow time!” She paused, and put her ear closer to the door. She could hear someone stirring inside, but they weren’t stirring fast enough for her. Time for a different approach.

 

“Oh, Oliver,” she said in a sweet sing-song persuasive voice. “I’ve brewed some nice, fresh-ground, aromatic black coffee. Just how you like it.”

 

She thought she heard a muffled acknowledgement. Shrugging, she went back to the common room.

 

She sat down at the table, but not before giving Ryshana a suspicious look that she hoped would rival one of Jana’s. Well, maybe not quite rival it, but perhaps it would debut on the ‘Jana Vincent top-ten dirty looks chart’ at around number seven.

 

Sitting at the table with an Alderaan policeman was one thing. But Beryl wasn’t quite sure what to make of the T’wilek at all. There was something…disconcerting about her that Beryl couldn’t quite place her finger on. And because of this feeling, she immediately didn’t trust her. But, Jana and Nic seemed to trust her….well, maybe not so much her as her ability to pay… so Beryl would try her best not to shoot her mouth off. She could do that, right? As long as Ryshana didn’t mention anything really derogatory about who was fighting in the Rebellion. Or mention the Empire. Or anything about Corellia. Or the pitfalls of a Headhunter. Or…

 

Beryl stuffed a large forkful of food into her mouth. Not being able to talk because her mouth was full was a good enough excuse to keep quiet.

[ExtreamJedi12]

"Looks delicous. Once again, Beryl graces us with one of her meals." Cloud said in delight. For some reason, she always made the best meals on the Echo. He sat down took a bite and after he chewed and swallowed, he said "Whoooie. This is one good meal. Just like Mom used to make on Aldeeran. Too bad dear, old Dad left for Naboo to become one of the Royal Guard." Cloud continued to eat the food.

[JasraLantill]

Beryl swallowed hard, nearly choking. “You never told me you were from Alderaan?” she said to Cloud. "Heck, you never even told me you had parents!" she added wryly. So much for keeping quiet.