MC: AOTE: Rhea

[stingerhs]

Ryshana had heard the swoop bike along with the ensuing tussle. Not bothering to wait for Nic, again, Ryshana ran forwards until she entered a clearing. Activating her lightsaber, Ryshana was about to swing downwards on the struggling human until she noticed..

 

"Jana!?! What's going on??" Ryshana asked quickly. Noticing the torn boot, Ryshana recognized it to be Beryl's. Sensing that Jana had meant no harm to Beryl, Ryshana calmed down. "Where's Beryl?"

[Writer]

"Gone," Jana answered, annoyed. "Tusk cats took her in that cave, I think. Then, she got picked up by some swoop bike. Mother cat's dead. Kittens are in the cave."

 

She sighed. "And the rider of the swoop bike was definitely a Stormtrooper."

[starmark2k]

"That's not good." Nic said running up behind Ryshanna. He looked over at Jana "Are you alright to keep going?"

[ExtreamJedi12]

The kaadu was swift, for Cloud arrived at Theed in almost no time at all. "Tank yu." Cloud said. "Yousa welcome." replied the Gungan before disappearing into the forest. When Cloud turned around, he did not like what he saw. Imperial banners hanging around on poles, Imperial stormtroopers patroling around the area, and other things. Cloud had thought they could never do it. But they did. The Empire had taken Theed. Cloud looked around. He seenImperial recuiting posters. He had also seen a Rebel Alliance poster being torn down by Imperials. He also seen some space pirates discussing their 'catch'. "This place has gone to ruins." thought Cloud. Cloud decided to go to the Palace. He was expecting to see Queen Apailana to see if he could find his father, Finnias Strife. When he was able to see the Queen, he didn't see Apailana. He seen Kylantha, her sucessor. "Let's see. Finnias Strife." she started. "Oh yes. He is MIA(missing in action)." "You mean..." started Cloud. "He may be dead or alive?"

[Writer]

Jana winced. "Leg's a bit stiff, but I can manage..." Then, she shook her head. "But no, I'd attract too much attention... limping into Theed like this. I'll turn back."

 

Though it had been her own idea, she was clearly upset at the thought of going back to the ship.

[starmark2k]

"O.k, Me and Ry will go into town see if we can find Cloud and Beryl." Nic Looked over at his jedi crewman. "I hope those jedi sences are tuned as we'll need them."

[stingerhs]

"Not a problem, Captain," Ryshana replied. "Just give me a minute to make my lightsaber a bit less obvious."

 

Pulling out a metal contraption, Ryshana fussed with it a bit as she placed it around her right upper leg. Then, she placed the lightsaber into a special slot that made the whole contraption resemble a mechanical leg brace. "There we go. If we meet anybody in Theed and they ask about my leg, we'll just call it an 'old back injury' and be done with it. Anyways, I think its your turn to lead the way."

[JasraLantill]

Beryl estimated that she travelled through the jungle nearly two kilometres hoisted in the air by her arm before being dropped in a clearing. Again, recalling her combat training, she automatically rolled out of the fall when she hit the ground. Shaking from adrenaline, she quickly scrambled to her feet, and staggered backwards in the tall grass away from the approaching swoop bike. And the stormtrooper who was riding it.

 

“Think I preferred the cats,” she thought to herself.

 

“Halt!” the stormtrooper said, as he parked the bike and dismounted. He didn’t raise his weapon, but he didn’t have to. Unarmed and with a dislocated shoulder, he didn’t see Beryl as much of a threat.

 

But Beryl, being Beryl, decided to run while she had the chance. Of course, wearing only one boot, and with her bare foot scratched from the claws of the cat, she didn’t get very far before the Stormtrooper caught up to her.

 

“Get your hands off me, you kriffin Buckethead!” Beryl said, struggling to free her good arm from his grasp.

 

“Hey! Take it easy!”

 

Beryl was doing no such thing. She kicked at him with her booted foot, aiming for his crotch. But the Stormtrooper avoided her attempt, instead moving in closer, wrenching her arm behind her back and shoving her to the ground in submission. “Droyk!” she uttered in pain.

 

“You just don’t give up, do you?” he said, almost jokingly, as he pushed his knee into the small of her back to stop her squirming. “Look, I’m just trying to help you…”

 

“An Imp? Help? When Jawas swim!” Beryl hissed through clenched teeth. “I don’t want your help! Let me go!”

 

“Okay. Fine. Be that way.” The Stormtrooper released his hold on her. “You can reset your own shoulder.” He snorted and backed away. “Last time I try and do a good deed,” he muttered. “Ungrateful, skraggin slave…”

 

“I’m not a slave!” Beryl said defiantly, as she rolled over and sat up. The pain from her shoulder was almost nauseating, but she still wasn’t about to accept his help.

 

“No? Well, you sure look like one half-dressed the way you are.” He stared at her for a moment, then to Beryl’s surprise, he took off his helmet.

 

He was handsome, there was no doubt about that. Short, thick sandy brown hair, soft green eyes, and chiselled features, and when he smiled, his cheeks dimpled. “There,” he said in a calm even tone as he knelt down to her level. “You don’t have to be afraid. See? No more ‘Buckethead.’”

 

“I’m not afraid of you,” she snapped. “I just don’t like Imps.”

 

His dimples got deeper. “No? Well, I like a good challenge.” He eyed her over. “Look, that shoulder of yours has got to hurt.” He looked around. “And it’s not likely anyone else is going to come around and…say, how did you find yourself all alone out here anyway?”

 

“I was… taking a walk,” she lied. “What are you doing out here? Joyriding?”

 

“Looking for a cargo ship that supposedly landed in this sector.” He gave her a dubious look. “You, erm, didn’t happen to see one on your ‘walk’, did you?”

 

“No,” she answered a bit too quickly.

 

He snorted, then grinned wryly. “Didn’t think so. Now, are you going to let me set that shoulder? Or am I going to have to stun you first?”

 

Beryl let out a defeatist sigh. “Fine. Set it.”

 

He rose and approached her. Kneeling behind her, he gently took up her arm in his gloved hands. “This is going to hurt,” he said, “but you’ll feel better after. Ready? On three. One… two….” He jerked her arm down, rotating it in at the same time.

 

Beryl was speechless with pain for a moment, then as the shoulder popped into place, the pain suddenly subsided, leaving only a throbbing ache. “What happened to three?” she croaked.

 

“Oh, sorry, forgot. You know us Bucketheads. Stupid and inconsiderate as the day is long, right?”

 

He helped her rise, taking care to make sure that her arm was kept tight into her body. He guided her to his bike, where he took out a first aid kit. “So, you got a name?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

He snorted with amusement as he removed a bacta spray from the kit. “Ok, I’ll go first. I’m Sergeant Penniluck Dukkette. Penni for short. You?”

 

“B…” Beryl cut herself short, nearly forgetting herself from the intense pain. But she couldn’t for the life of her remember the name that was on her fake I.D.

 

“Buh?” Penni grinned, as he began treating some of her visible cuts and scratches with the spray. “That’s a short name. What, your parents couldn’t afford a whole name for you?” he joked.

 

“Beryl,” she said defiantly.

 

“Beryl.” He nodded. “Suits you. So, just Beryl? No second name? In my experience, Corellians always have a second name.” As Beryl opened her mouth, obviously surprised that he knew her planet of origin, he added, “’Droyk’ is peculiar term to Corellians, is it not?”

 

Her jaw set. “I suppose,” she said quietly. “So, what's your story? You seem different from the average Buckethead.”

 

“What, did you think that all Imperial soldiers were ignorant chuba faced clonies?” he asked, as he applied a dressing to one of the larger scratches on her arm.

 

“You said it, not me,” Beryl replied.

 

“So you think I should have just watched you get ripped apart by the cat for its obvious entertainment value, rather than to rescue your ungrateful carcass and miss all this verbal abuse?”

 

“Okay, okay,” Beryl unwillingly conceded. “I’m grateful. Thank you.”

 

Penni smiled. “You're welcome. Now, turn around and bend over.”

 

Beryl stared at him incredulously. “Hey, I’m not that grateful!”

 

Penni sighed. “If you want me to put a dressing on those cuts on your thigh, then turn around and bend over. Otherwise, it’ll be a sore ride for you to Theed.”

 

“Theed? I can’t go to Theed! I have to…erm….” What she wanted to say was that she needed to find the Echo. But since she had already told him she hadn’t seen it….

 

“Have to what?” He shook his head. “Nevermind. I don’t think I want to know. Now are you bending over or what?”

 

Reluctantly, Beryl complied, although she kept a close eye on what he was doing.

 

“These scratches are really wide,” he said, as he gently lifted the few shreds of fabric and sprayed them with the healing bacta. “Big cat. You were real lucky I found you when I did, Beryl.” He paused and gave her a curious but suspicious look, before applying the dressing. “Jedi are real lucky. You’re not a Jedi, are you?”

 

“You been chewing lena weed or something?” she countered. “Do I look like a Jedi?”

 

“Suppose not.” He got out a large bandage from his kit, then shut it. “Lift up your good arm.” He began to wrap the bandage around her torso to keep her injured arm close to her body. “You know, it was rumoured that a Jedi was on that cargo ship,” he pressed her.

 

“You mean the ship I haven’t seen?” She frowned at him. “You believe everything they tell you?”

 

“No. Not everything.” He secured the bandage. “There. That will keep your arm still, and you a bit more decent.” He looked at her shredded pants. “Although, we’ll still need to get you some clothes when we get to Theed. They do have decency laws, you know.”

 

He put his helmet back on, and stood there, waiting. “So do you want a leg up, or can you manage getting on the bike on your own?”

 

Beryl hesitated, and looked towards the woods from where they had come from. She didn’t want to go to Theed, especially with a Stormtrooper, no matter how ‘friendly’ he appeared. “I’m fine really,” she said, backing away from him.

 

“Get on.” His voice sounded more commanding, but whether that was because he was wearing his helmet or not, Beryl couldn’t tell. Still, she didn’t sense that he truly meant her any harm.

 

“Look, Beryl, I really don’t want to have to stun you,” he said, taking out his blaster. “Now, get on.” He waved it at her.

 

On second thought...

 

"Alright, alright. I'm getting on."

 

Penni climbed up behind her, and in a moment, they were speeding off to Theed.

[starmark2k]

Nic And ryshanna walked into threed, On the way to the city Nic placed some dark glasses over his eyes. To anyone looking at him it would seem he was just trying to keep the sunlight out of his eyes, the real reason was he was trying to minimise the chances of any one recognising him.

 

They found themselves near the imperial garrison inside the grand city, Nic turned to Ryshanna. "If we're going to get in there, we're going to need Cloud."

[JasraLantill]

With only a few leering looks from other soldiers, Sgt. Dukkette had managed to sneak Beryl into his dormitory room in the Imperial garrison. While Beryl used the refresher to clean herself up, Penni found her some decent clothes to replace her shredded ones. She wasn’t very pleased with his efforts.

 

“You call this decent clothing?” Beryl said to Penni. She held up the green dress he had given her, then shoved it back to him. “You can practically see right through it!”

 

Penni chuckled. “It will look different when you put it on,” he said, shoving it back to her. “Besides, beggars can’t be choosers. I borrowed that from next door. It belonged to a … well, it was left by a… erm…”

 

Beryl held up her hand. “Don’t even say it,” she warned, giving him a dirty look. “I get the picture.” She shoved the dress back to him. “What’s wrong with getting me a pair of trousers and a tank-shirt?”

 

“'Cause those are mens’ clothes,” Penni said to her. He eyed her over appreciatively. “And this is Theed. Fashion counts here, you know.” He shoved the dress back to her again.

 

“This,” she held up the dress in his face, “is hardly what I would call fashion.”

 

“Oh, just put it on,” he said irritably. “Trust me. You’ll look… nice.”

 

“Nice? I’ll look like a....” She paused, then sighed. “Look, I just don’t want to be that noticeable, okay?” she said, starting to get flustered. “I like being…plain and… unnoticed.”

 

Penni laughed. “Well, the dress is all I have to offer. But, you’ll be less noticeable in that, than in what you have on. Plus, it won’t chafe your wounds,” he added, with an amused grin.

 

Beryl glared at him. “Fine. As I don’t appear to have a choice, I’ll wear it.” She stared at him. “Well? Turn around or leave the room or something!”

 

“There’s nothing you have that I haven’t seen before in some other shape or form.”

 

“Yeah? Well it’s my shape and form, so…,” she waved her hand at him, “naff off!”

 

Penni snorted. “All this and I don’t even get a peek for my efforts,” he grumbled as he turned his back while she changed. “Let me know if you need any help with the buttons.”

 

“I can manage.”

 

“You sure?” He waited a few moments in silence, listening to her struggle.

 

“Okay, I might need a little help,” she conceded. “Damn shoulder….” she griped.

 

Penni grinned as he turned around. “Wow,” he said, appreciatively taking in her appearance. “Maybe I was wrong. Think you will get noticed.”

 

“Just shut up and do up the buttons, will you?” she said dryly.

 

“Yes, ma’am,” he said smoothly.

[stingerhs]

"Are you sure? I'm pretty sure I can find a way inside without setting off any alarms. Well, I guess the problem would be getting back out again, but I can worry about that part when I get to it," Ryshana replied. Thinking for just a second, she added, "Plus we'd be able to split up. You could find Cloud, and I could get Beryl. Besides, I have a funny feeling that the faster we're out of here, the better off we'll be."

[starmark2k]

"i agree." Nic said checking if the coast was clear. "Be careful, i don't want to lose another crewman today, two is about my limit" Nic then took out a spare comlink he carried with him and handed it to ryshanna.

[steven]

As Jana got closer to the Echo, there was beeping sound from her comlink. She looked at it and saw it was from Jack. She answered but before she could say anything "Jana, get your @$$ back here pronto. You will not beleive who just hailed us."

[Writer]

"Coming, Jack..." Jana told him, sighing slightly at his impatience. "Just give me a minute."

 

Soon, she boarded the Echo and immediately made her way into the cockpit.

 

"Alright, Mr. Goren," she said. "Who hailed us?"

[steven]

"One of the dreadnoughts.. right after it fired abon and destroyed the other. He wants to speak the the man or women incharge. And I'm just the piolt and the captain is near Theed and they've activated their com blockers and you are the first-mate.. Press that botten to respond"

[XoRRoX]

Oliver heard someone that entered the ship. "Help me!" he tried to shout, but it wasen't that loud. The blood from his mouth stopped he shouting. And in some sort of fit, he crushed another bottle to the floor. A very loud sound.

[steven]

"What in yodas name?" Jack left the consel to find out what that noice was. He rushed into Olivers room and said "Crap! What the hell did you do?". Jack picked the medic and carried him to the infarmery.

[stingerhs]

"Don't worry about me and Beryl, Nic," Ryshana replied with a smile as she took the comlink from him. Turning towards the Imperial Base, Ryshana started looking for various ways inside.

[XoRRoX]

When Oliver was lifted by someone (he coulden't see that much anymore", he tried to speak. The bleeding was beginning to be much worse, but Jack could hear something about: "antidote...in my room...hurry".

[JasraLantill]

Beryl flinched as Penni fumbled with the buttons up the back of her dress.

 

“Sorry,” he apologised. “Cold hands.” It took him a few moments, but finally he did up the last one. “There. That should do it.” He eyed her over. “You look nice. Green suits you.” He pulled thoughtfully at his chin. “Turn around.”

 

“What?”

 

“Just turn around. So I can see how it looks from the back.”

 

Beryl raised a dubious eyebrow, but did as she was asked.

 

“Hmm. Very nice,” he purred. “And you can barely see where I put the plasti-skin on your…”

 

“Hey!” Beryl quickly covered her backside with her hand and whirled around to face him. “Okay, that’s enough ogling for one day!” she said, glaring at him. She shifted uncomfortably as Penni merely stared back at her, grinning a dimpled grin. “Right, so, thank you, nice meeting you, I’ve got to go now,” she said to him hurriedly, and she started for the door.

 

“Whoa, not so fast! Wait just a minute!” he said, barring the way out with his body. “One last thing.”

 

Beryl looked at him askance, and her fist began to close. “Look, I told you I wasn’t that kind of grateful."

 

“I know, I know....” He held up his hand in a peaceful gesture, then went over to the desk unit in the corner of the room and began to rummage through a drawer. “Ah. Here it is.” He held up a necklace with a small green stone in the setting. “Always knew I’d find a use for this. It belonged to….” He paused, and gave her a sort of sad smile. “Well, never mind. It'll look better on you.”

 

Standing behind her, he put the necklace around her neck. “There. That’s better. Every Nabooan woman wears some kind of jewellery no matter what her, erm….” He cleared his throat. “Professional qualifications may appear to be.”

 

Beryl frowned at him, feeling more uncomfortable than ever in the flimsy dress. “Do you practice at being so ‘endearing’ or does being a nerfherder just come naturally to you?” she said icily.

 

“It’s a natural talent,” he replied, grinning slightly. “Oh! Almost forgot!” He held up his hand for her to stay put, then moved to the door. He opened it, and whistled down the corridor. She caught a few murmured words, then Penni closed the door again, holding a package in his hands.

 

“Here,” he said, tossing her the parcel.

 

“What is it?”

 

“Well, open it and find out.”

 

Warily, Beryl did. “Shoes?” She lifted the high-heeled green shoes out of their box. “You bought me shoes?”

 

Penni shrugged. “Well, you can’t exactly go barefoot through the streets of Theed, now, can you?”

 

“Unbelievable,” Beryl muttered. She put them on. “And even more unbelievable. They fit.”

 

“Sent someone out with your remaining boot, to make sure they got the right size. You like them?”

 

She stared at him for a moment. “Why are you doing this?”

 

“Like I said, you can’t go around Theed bare….”

 

“No, not that,” Beryl interrupted. “Being so nice to me?” she asked suspiciously. “What’s your game?”

 

Penni shrugged. “Game? No game. Just want to help you out.”

 

“You don’t know anything about me,” she said. “I mean, I could be a Rebel spy or something.”

 

He cocked an eyebrow. “Are you a Rebel spy?”

 

“No,” she said flatly. “But that’s not the point. I could be. Why take the chance?”

 

He took a moment to consider before answering. “You remind me of someone I used to know.”

 

“Oh. I see. Old girlfriend or something?” Beryl said sceptically.

 

“No.” Penni paused as if debating whether or not to expand on his answer. “So, shall we go?” he said, changing the subject. “I can escort you outside the barracks, but then I have to go back out on patrol. But you won’t have any trouble getting through the main gate. Just drop my name if you run into any problems.”

 

Beryl nodded. She didn’t know quite what to make of this Imp soldier. He didn’t seem to fit the stereotype of what she believed an Imperial soldier should be like. “Lead the way.”

 

As they left the barracks, Penni hushed his men’s leering looks and cat calls. “Get back to your duties!” he snapped at them, with all the authority of a true and hardened sergeant. “I want this place shining by the time I get back! Now move it!” The soldiers scattered like a frightened herd of nerfs.

 

Okay, so perhaps he does fit the stereotype, she thought.

 

Outside, the barracks, Penni took hold of her uninjured arm, and gently spun her around to face him. Without warning, he kissed her. “Sorry,” he apologised. “Had to get something for my trouble. Plus, the men are watching.” He winked. “Take care of that shoulder, now. Maybe I’ll see you around.”

 

Even though she thought she probably should be angry at him for kissing her without her permission, Beryl couldn’t help but smile. “Not if I see you first,” she said. “And thanks, Penni,” she added quietly.

 

She headed in the direction of the main gate of the Imperial Base, giving a quick backwards glance over her shoulder at him as he headed for the swoop bike garage.

[Writer]

Jana stared at the comm for several long seconds. On the one hand, they were being contacted by a Dreadnaught... an Imperial Dreadnaught. But on the other, it had destroyed its companion Dreadnaught. Knowing she'd quite likely regret this, she switched on the comm.

 

"This is First Mate Jana Vincent," she said. "Captain White is away at the moment." After a short pause, she added, "Please make this quick... I... well, please just make this quick. We're a little busy right now."

 

She decided they didn't need to know she'd been attacked by Tusk cats or that Beryl had gone missing.

[starmark2k]

Nic watched Ryshanna for a second before he noticed the Barrack gates open, he grabbed Ryshanna and pulled her behind a wall. Now away from the gaze of those who were coming oug of the barracks Nic peered around the corridor and saw an officer with a female companion.

 

On first glance Nic presumed she was a prostitute judgeing by the look of the women, this opinion didn't last long. He pulled off his sunglasses and looked at the women more closely. "Oh the Wookie Gods!" Nic exclaimed quietly "What is she wearing?"

[JasraLantill]

Stepping outside of the gates of the Imperial Base, Beryl was a bit unsure of where to go first. She’d never been to Theed before, and so didn’t have any contacts here, and by all appearances, it was a big city.

 

Okay, first things first, she thought. I need to find a com link to contact the ship, but making a secure call in an Imperial controlled zone will be expensive. And with no credits, that’s going to be a problem.

 

Then she saw the gambling parlour, just outside entrance to the base. Or, maybe not. She paused in thought for a moment, then pulled the front of her dress a bit lower to expose more cleavage, and walked inside. Perhaps this dress might be useful after all.

 

It didn’t take her long to find what she would term “an easy mark.” A Nabooan noble, balding and middle aged, slightly paunchy, and complaining in a loud voice as large pile of credits were scooped away from the table in front of him by the dealer.

 

She looked down at her legs. The superficial scratches were barely visible now. Thank the stars for fast acting bacta spray, she thought.

 

“You look like you could do with some luck,” she said in her most sultry voice as she sidled up to the obnoxious noble.

 

“The deck is stacked!” the nobleman snapped, with a dismissive wave of his hand. “And I don’t need any…!” He turned to look at her, and his scowl melted away. “Well,” he said, smiling slowly, as he drank in her form. “I, erm, could do with some luck. And if you don’t bring me luck, you can at least give me solace, eh?” He winked at her and patted her backside.

 

Beryl flinched, then forced a smile. “Perhaps,” she said, taking a seat beside him, ensuring to show him a bit of leg. “Ante up,” she said to him. “I’ve been told that I’m extremely lucky. In many ‘different’ ways,” she added.

 

He chuckled. “Really? Well, we’ll see, shall we?” He laid his credits on the table. “Deal,” he said to the dealer.

 

With Beryl hinting to the man on when to stand, when to play, and when to fold, it didn’t take long for him to regain his pile of credits, and even less time for Beryl to palm one or two of the higher value credit chips without him nor the dealer noticing.

 

A few more minutes enduring this lout, and I’ll be able to mingle and find out who I need to talk to find access to a secure com link, she thought to herself. But if he pats my backside one more time, I’m going to have to kick him where it hurts!

[stingerhs]

Ryshana had sensed that something was going to happen, but she was a bit surprised that it was Nic grabbing her. Before she could ask, she was instantly drawn back to the Imperial Base.

 

"Oh the Wookie Gods!" Nic exclaimed quietly "What is she wearing?"

 

"It is called a dress, my dear Mercenary Captain," Ryshana replied sarcastically. "Not that you'd ever be caught dead near a woman that wears things of such class." Before Nic could reply, Ryshana had already caught sight of where Beryl was heading. "Well, time to stick with the plan. You go find Cloud, and I'll go find Beryl. Besides, a touch of class might be required for my mission."

 

Patting Nic lightly on the back, Ryshana left him there while trying to hide the beaming grin on her face.

 

Heading over to the gambling parlor, Ryshana walked right in. Catching sight of Beryl, Ryshana made herself very inconspicuous. Finally, Ryshana came up with an idea. Heading over to the gambling table, Ryshana immidiately began to focus on one of the players.

 

"So, you wouldn't mind if we traded spots, now would you? Besides, your luck isn't holding up so well," Ryshana stated to a young nobleman.

 

"Yeah, well, this *is* a high stakes table. Are you sure you can afford it?"

 

Reaching into a hidden pocket on her leather pants, Ryshana pulled out a neatly folded stack of credits and handed them to the dealer. After exchanging the chips, the dealer handed her over 20,000 credits-worth of chips.

 

"I think so."

 

Slightly frustrated, the man grabbed the few chips he had left and stood up. Placing her chips on the table in front of her, Ryshana was now directly opposite of Beryl and her 'partner'. Looking directly at Beryl, Ryshana then stated, "Lets deal."

[starmark2k]

As Ryshanna walked off Nic Grumbled "I Know what a dress is, i wore one once." Nic quickly checked around him to make sure no one heard this comment. Nic began to walk into the crouded market hopeing cloud would be there getting the supplies.