Star Wars: Shadow Wars

[JasraLantill]

((OOC: Thanks, WJ for all your help with this post! (Got to give credit where credit it due! ) ))

 

Va'ala just stood there for a moment, listening to Krell shouting and kicking inside the closet. "That was... interesting,” she said to Kat. “I would ask if you have any more tricks, but I don't think I really want to know."

 

Kat laughed. "Well, until today, I was just a telekine... so really, if I've got other tricks aside from the teke powers and telepathy, I don't know yet... oh, wait... you said you didn't want to know..." She muttered a few words in her language, frowning slightly.

 

“Handy power.” Va'ala stared up at Wabacca still floating in mid-air, and none too happy about it either. “Bet it saves on having crew to load up cargo." She shifted uncomfortably and took a step backwards. She didn't like being in situations where her cards would always be trumped. Especially on her own turf. "So, what did you want to talk about?" she asked rather meekly.

 

Wabacca dropped to the floor with a surprised woof and Kat smiled at him, "Be good, big fella. Go... supervise the bridge or something."

 

Turning back to Va'ala, she smiled. "Sure, it's handy. Anyway... I'm not impressed with your little friend in the closet there... Krell. Thanks to him, the headache I had from my growing telepathy is significantly greater..."

 

And lapsing into her strange language, she continued on, as if forgetting Va'ala's presence and massaging her head.

 

"Headache? I've got stuff for headaches," Va'ala offered. Maybe a peace offering would put Kat in a better mood, she thought.

 

Kat grimaced. "I'm not addicted to spice and I'm not planning on it!"

 

Va'ala frowned. "I was talking about medicine," she said flatly. "In the first aid kit?" She nodded to a storage panel on the wall behind Kat. "And I'm not an addict."

 

Kat laughed for a second. Then, she frowned. "You actually think you're being serious! If you only knew some of the thoughts that ran through your head when you said that..." A slow smile crept over her face. "Alright then, Va'ala. If you're not an addict, go a week without it."

 

Va'ala's jaw set. "Fine. It'll take a week to get this load of dets to Naboo and back. I'll go without for the duration of the trip. Satisfied?"

 

Kat was not. "To ensure you'll keep that up, I'll order Eagle to go on ahead of us...." With a little smirk, she finished, "... and I'll be here to keep an eye on you."

 

"Wait, wait, wait, wait.... You're planning on shipping permacrete detonators on a... drone ship?" Va'ala asked incredulously. "You can't do that! That's... that's just crazy!" And what's even more crazy is having her on board my ship.

 

"Drone?" Kat demanded, annoyed. "Eagle's no drone! He's the most advanced artificial intelligence in the galaxy. He makes me look like an idiot!" As she spoke, Va'ala found herself slowly lifted an inch off the ground. "I trust him to do the job right. I don't trust you to stay off the spice. So I'm staying."

 

Va'ala's eyes grew wide as she was lifted up, and not wanting to go 'flying' across the hold, she quickly gave in. "Okay, okay! I give. You stay! Now put me down!"

 

As her feet touched down again onto solid ground, Va'ala let out a sigh. "Ok, no more spice. And you can stay. Now,..." Va'ala tried to straighten herself. "Is there anything else you want? Larger percentage of the profits? Bigger stateroom? First born child?" Va'ala didn't like being told what to do. Of course, Krell told her often enough, but his 'orders' were more like 'sensible suggestions.’ And, for the most part, he was always right. But Kat... reading minds, telekinesis.... Va'ala let out a sigh of defeat.

 

Kat smiled brightly. "No, I'll be alright. Just give me a small room..." her eyes flicked to the closet containing Krell. "... a decent sized room. I'll go through the ship, rid you of all your spice and then pretty much leave you alone... unless you do... something, you'll be fairly well left alone."

 

"Something?" Va'ala frowned a bit. "What kind of 'something' are we talking about?" Va'ala looked over at the closet. "And what about Krell?" she asked, a slight look of concern crossing her face. "You planning on just leaving him in there?"

 

"Hmm?" Kat murmured, looking over to the closet. "Oh! Krell! Right. I'll have a chat with him later. For now, he stays in there. As for the 'something', well..." She muttered a few things in her language and shrugged. "We'll get there if something happens..."

 

Contracts and stipulations that were subject to change left little room to manoeuvre. And that, in Va’ala’s opinion, was bad. Very bad. She was feeling like she didn’t have a choice but to agree to Kat’s demands, but still she hesitated. “I don’t get it,” she said to Kat. “What’s in it for you? I mean, I’m doing this job because I owe Zeedo because I promised Ex-Zar supplies and fuel….” She paused. “Oh, crap. Ex-Zar. I ‘ve got to apologize and explain things to him before he takes off.”

 

Just then Bob appeared. “Boss? You know those little coloured buttons that flash when someone wants to talk to you?”

 

Va’ala stared blankly at him. “Yeah. What about them?”

 

“Well… one of them was flashing, so I pushed it. But no one answered. And then another flashy button started flashing, and so I pushed that, but nothing….”

 

“Yeah, yeah. Get to the point, Bob.”

 

“All the buttons are flashing now. And still no one is talking to me.”

 

Va’ala looked at Kat. “Your ‘something’ wouldn’t happen to include hanging Bob from his toes in the cargo hold, would it?”

 

Kat laughed. "It could."

 

"Damn," Va'ala muttered.

 

"Go ahead and take your call... I'll have a chat with Krell."

 

Va’ala hurried off to the bridge, Bob hot on her heels like a kath puppy. She reset the panel, and saw that the hail was from Ex-Zar’s flagship. “It’s Ex-Zar,” she said, sounding relieved. “Perhaps he hasn’t written me off completely after all.” Before answering it, she turned to Bob. “Bob? You recall the algorithm for the Firey Maid’s ship ident code?”

 

Bob nodded.

 

“Type it in that terminal.”

 

As Bob typed, Wabacca growled a protest.

 

“Yeah, well, that’s what I’m hoping will happen.”

 

Wabacca grunted and growled more.

 

“Just change the damn code, furball. I’ve got some grovelling to do.”

 

She hit the button to respond to Ex-Zar’s hail. “Ex-Zar? Is that you? Say, look, I’m sorry about what happened on board. I’m not a spice addict. Not at all. In fact, I’ve decided to give it up.” She visibly cringed at her words, but didn’t let it show in her voice. “I totally understand if you don’t want to be allied with me anymore, but give me a second chance. Please? I’ve got a pretty good idea who’s been hassling your fleet. And, I’ve got a plan to lure him out in the open.”

[TheExile_Hunter]

Jethro made his way to the dormitories, trying to empty his mind like had taught himself back at the academy. The only problem was, he couldn’t. He just couldn’t do it, no matter how hard he tried, of all the things he could forget instantly, Sara wasn’t one of them, not by far. Without noticing it, he already reached the dormitories.

 

Kyla looked up as she sensed her brother coming near. She kept facing the doorway until Jethro finally came through.

 

"Hey, welcome back..." Kyla greeted as she walked towards him. Jethro didn’t respond, and the troubled look on his face worried her. "Are you alright?"

 

Jethro, still busy emptying his mind, did not notice his sister until she was standing right in front of him. He snapped out of his thoughts when he saw Kyla raising an eyebrow. “Doh, sorry, did you say something?

 

"Are you alright?” she asked again.

 

“Yes, I’m fine.”

 

“Ah come on, tell me, what’s wrong?” Kyla persisted as she tagged along. She knew he was lying, it doesn’t take a Jedi to be able to see that.

 

“Nothing.” He lied again. “I’m just going to change clothes again....” he said, stretching his wet shirt. “someone was carelessly holding his drinks.” And after saying that, he went into the room where he had put his robes, leaving Kyla behind.

 

It didn’t take long before Jethro came out of the room, wearing his regular Jedi robes. Kyla sighed as he approached. “Finally, I was getting bored around here.” She said. “Soooo….how about we have another duel.” Kyla suggested, rolling her eyes.

 

“Not right now sis.” Jethro replied.

 

“Ah, come on,” Kyla pulled back his right arm. “there’s like nothing else to do around here…”

 

“Sis, I’m really not in the mood for a duel right now.” Jethro said annoyed, pulling his arm away.

 

Kyla was getting angry with him now. First he leaves her on the ship for what seemed like forever and now he doesn’t even want to duel her. “I’ll just have to bore myself to death with these remotes then.” She said, motioning to the heap of remotes she had placed on her bed, hoping he would be interested.

 

“Go ahead.” Jethro responded bluntly. He didn’t care about the remotes at all.

 

“Fine.” Kyla snapped. She grabbed a few remotes, left the room and went to the cargo hold.

 

“Great, now I’ve pissed her off.” Jethro thought after watching his sister storm out of the room. He sat down on the bed behind him and figured that he might as well try to clear his thoughts again.

[ForceFightWMe12]

"Sara, This is Amol. If you've found this probe, that means I haven't managed to break free of the Republic's tractor beam. By the time you re-play this message, I'll most likely be in the brig of a Republic ship, on my way back to the Core for trial. And execution. Either that, or I woudn't go quietly, and they were forced to destroy my ship. Either way, you'll have to get to Naboo and back without me. Don't do anything stupid, like trying to come after me. Get that disc to Naboo. And tell Skywalker... Tell Luke I'm sorry."

 

The pilot had replayed the message recorded on the probe for the third time now, and sat silently, staring out the viewscreen. Wonderful. Yet another problem, just what I need.

 

She had checked the timestamp on the recording -- an hour and a half ago -- and had already scanned the full extent of the Northstream's sensor range for his ship -- nothing. It was as if he and whatever Republic ship had captured him had completely disappeared. Sighing, she activated the inter-hold comm. channel.

 

"Hey, Jethro? Can you come to the cockpit? I've got something you and your sister should see..."

[Master_Archon]

After two minutes of waitig the response came.

 

“Ex-Zar? Is that you? Say, look, I’m sorry about what happened on board. I’m not a spice addict. Not at all. In fact, I’ve decided to give it up.” She visibly cringed at her words, but didn’t let it show in her voice. “I totally understand if you don’t want to be allied with me anymore, but give me a second chance. Please? I’ve got a pretty good idea who’s been hassling your fleet. And, I’ve got a plan to lure him out in the open.”

 

Ex-Zar thought for a moment, he wanted her to sweat. Then responding he said, "whether this 'Kat' person is a Jedi, or a Telepath, I dont care, all I know is that both don't lie, at least when reading minds, and from what little I can tell, you're lying right now."

 

He let this sink in, "though, I'm only assuming. I do know that an addict doesn't give up on their addiction on the spot, and as you said: 'In fact, I’ve decided to give it up', shows you are or were an addict, so dont patronize me!" He said sharply.

 

He pondered in thought for a few moments, "as for the harassers, we've found they're going to Fellusia, the planet I grew up on; and we know we can outrun them, so we'll cut them off at Yavin IV," he said, his voice weary. "But if you have a better plan, then I'm willing to listen," he said after some thought.

 

"But make it quick, my fleet's in formation, and we're gonna jump in two minutes!" He said contemptuously.

[Dark_Lady]

"Let's just hope that doesn't come true, now won't we?"

 

"Indeed," Jakyl sighed. "I wonder what's holding Kyle up?"

[JasraLantill]

Ex-Zar thought for a moment, he wanted her to sweat. Then responding he said, "whether this 'Kat' person is a Jedi, or a Telepath, I dont care, all I know is that both don't lie, at least when reading minds, and from what little I can tell, you're lying right now."

 

Va’ala was sweating. She took her finger off the button for a moment. “Crap,” she said under her breath. She looked at Wabacca. “Am I that easy to read?”

 

Wabacca chuckled as only a Wookiee could.

 

“It was a rhetorical question,” Va’ala said, scowling at him.

 

”Though, I'm only assuming. I do know that an addict doesn't give up on their addiction on the spot, and as you said: 'In fact, I’ve decided to give it up', shows you are or were an addict, so don’t patronize me!".

 

Va’ala let out a sigh of dismay. “Oh, he’s really pissed off at me.” Again, she looked at Wabacca. “This isn’t going to be easy.”

 

”As for the harassers, we've found they're going to Fellusia, the planet I grew up on; and we know we can outrun them, so we'll cut them off at Yavin IV. But if you have a better plan, then I'm willing to listen.”

 

Va’ala brightened a bit.

 

"But make it quick! My fleet's in formation, and we're gonna jump in two minutes!"

 

“Crap!” Va’ala muttered. She pushed the button down again. “Okay, Ex-Zar. I’ve got a way of luring out your pirate. He’s a Corellian called Terrak. I’ve had dealings with him before. He’s a nasty, double-crossing…well, I won’t go into the sordid details, now. Safe to say I don’t have any love for the man and have no qualms about sticking it to him but good.

 

“I’ll lure him out alone, without his other ships. There’s a place, a sort of ‘neutral’ ground where pirates meet up. You follow me out there, and he’ll be at your mercy. Less casualties that way on both sides.” She paused. “I’m assuming that you wanted to try and take him alive, didn’t you?”

 

"Oh, and in case you think I'm lying about this or about the spice, Kat has decided to stay onboard the Reiver with me. And, she's collecting up all the spice." Again, she cringed at the thought of no more 'relaxers.' "And you can trust her that there won't be any spice use while she's on board."

 

She let her finger off the button. "What did I do to deserve such a crap day," she moaned.

 

As she waited anxiously for Ex-Zar's reply, Wabacca growled a response.

 

"Yes," Va'ala said dryly. "It was another rhetorical one."

[Master_Archon]

Ex-Zar thought for a moment, "alright, you got me," he said at last, only 30 more seconds till hyperspace.

 

Quickly changing the link he said to the officer, "cancel that jump lieutenant," the engines could be heard revving down quickly, and abruptly.

 

Then changing back to Va'ala's link, he said, "but I have terms, the first is that you pay for a fourth of the Sovereign's fuel bill, considering I told them to take it off Zeedo's tab," he said blankly, "but if you wanna argue this, then I'll just put a fourth of the fleet's fuel bill on your tab," he said, trying to quell any protests Va'ala may have had.

 

"Second: If, and when we meet this, 'Terrak', you must do EXACTLY what I say; if I say pull your ship out of there, do it without arguement," he said sternly.

 

"Third: tell Kat to dock her ship on the Sovereign when you guys leave, and do likewise with the Reiver. If you guys are taking those permacretes to Naboo, then I'm taking you! The Sovereign can get to Naboo in a third or less of the time it would take the Reiver," he said, his voice showing he wanted no arguements.

 

"But remember this Va'ala, I don't trust you, and if this guy runs, or doesn't show, well, let's just say no amount of spice will quell the pain and torment I'll make you endure," he said, his voice dripping malice. "I've come close just now to having the opportunity of catching him, and if your plans prove to be false, then you've gained another enemy, let's just say that," he said darkly.

 

"My men's families have endured too long without supplies, and if you decide these terms are too much, or I'm sounding too threatening, or harsh, and you decide to run from this, then no place in the galaxy will be safe for you; Va'ala, I'm not someone you want to upset, even a little," he said vehemotly. "Remember, I had the chance to stop my men's families from enduring hardships anylonger, and you only get one second chance, so I advise you speak more wisely next time, I dont like being lied to, or decieved," he said harshly.

 

He thought for a moment, "I'm sorry for my rude words, but I want to make a point to you; so get done with whatever you have to do, and come aboard when you're ready, and we'll head out for Naboo," he said, then waited for her reply.

[Jason Skywalker]

"Indeed," Jakyl sighed. "I wonder what's holding Kyle up?"

 

"I don't know," Zhane sighed as well, "But it takes some good time to decode something, now that's true."

[JasraLantill]

((OOC: Joint post with WildJedi. ))

 

Va’ala hesitated for a moment in replying to Ex-Zar's demands. She looked over her shoulder through to the corridor, trying to see if Kat had released Krell yet. She couldn’t see either one of them from here. “Damn it,” she said under-her-breath. She didn’t like making major decisions like this without him and his advice. But since Kat had him locked up in the closet at the moment, there wasn’t much she could do. She pushed the reply button.

 

“Erm… I’ll go along with your first demand on the fuel, Ex-Zar,” she said, knowing that whatever Ex-Zar put on ‘her’ tab, she would just put on Zeedo’s. Again, she looked over her shoulder. She didn’t want to dock on the Sovereign and relinquish control of her ship. And she figured that Kat probably felt the same about the Eagle’s Wing. Which would probably mean that Kat would want to return to her ship and not stay aboard the Reiver….

 

Va’ala grinned. “And I don’t have a problem with you transporting us to Naboo either. But not until after we get to the meeting point. Terrak won’t meet with me if it looks like I'm bringing an Imperial Remnant fleet along. I’ll have to go there alone to lure him out in the open. Then you can jump out of hyperspace and ‘surprise’ us. After all, I have to maintain some credibility among my… erm, colleagues. Is that a fair enough compromise for you, Ex-Zar? ”

 

Va’ala had just taken her finger off the button and was waiting for Ex-Zar to reply, when Kat stormed into the bridge, with Krell floating in mid-air behind her. "Not stay aboard the..." Kat started, with a strange scolding look crossing her face. "Oh, you're not getting rid of me that easily..." She reached across Va’ala for the reply button.

 

“What the…?” Va’ala slapped Kat’s hand out of the way. “Do you mind?! I’m in the middle of a private conversation!”

 

"Not for long," Kat growled and Va'ala found herself abruptly thrust backward into the captain's chair. Kat’s hand hovered over the reply button, but then she frowned and turned to Va'ala, and the frown was slowly replaced with a devilish grin. "Tell me what Ex-Zar wants or I'll find out by... ripping it from you."

 

Va’ala swallowed hard. “Ripping?”

 

Kat's grin looked almost maniacal and her eyes blazed with a dangerous fire as she nodded slowly. "Ripping."

 

Va’ala swallowed hard again. She gave a fleeting glance at Krell, who was still hovering helplessly in the air. “Erm… nothing much. Ex-Zar just wants to give us a ride to Naboo, that's all.”

 

Kat smirked. "You're lucky I caught a wave of his other desires with that explanation... I really don't have much of a handle on this whole telepathy thing... I could've hurt you in attempting to rip that from you." She turned to the comm console.

 

"Ex-Zar, you're speaking with Kat Grey now. Look, I don't exactly appreciate your apparent hospitality. You have no right to assume you can get everything you want all the time. So here's how things are gonna play out. The Reiver will be docking with the Sovereign once this... pirate is captured. Eagle can help out by chasing the two ships to where you wait. But after that, he's gone. And trust me... he'll get to Naboo long before your ship can."

 

Va’ala cringed. Oh great, she thought. Kat's going to piss off Ex-Zar even more. And I don’t need any more enemies.

 

Hand off the switch, Kat glared at Va'ala. "If I piss him off more than he already is, you don't need him. And if that be the case, I can easily scare him into leaving you alone." She smirked. "Eagle has a few tricks up his... uh... wings."

[Master_Archon]

Ex-Zar heard Kat say something about chasing two ships and this confused him, but the rest, just got him really angry, really fast.

 

"Ms.Grey, I have no qualms with you, so please let Va'ala do the talking, if you interfere again, then all deals are off, and Va'ala gains another enemy," he said calmly, though he knew this young, stuck-up girl could care less, especially thinking she could survive a full onslaught from a Sovereign Class Star Destroyer; but he kept these thoughts hidden, knowing she could hear them if he wasn't careful.

 

He went into thought for a moment, "well, Va'ala, I must say, I'm disapointed, but, you can choose your friends, I guess," he said nonchalatly. "Well, if we're not getting the Naboo thing done quickly, then I see no point in staying, I have a pirate to catch. Unless you meant to meet him before transporting the permacretes?" He asked. Then switching the link, and he called the bridge, and gave some unknown orders, to wait on his signal for something, incase it came to having to give that order.

 

The ship could be heard giving a slight groan as it's engines started, and it turned towards the station.

[Writer]

Kat blinked. This Ex-Zar was very quickly getting on her nerves. She turned to Va'ala.

 

"Did you want his 'friendship'?" she demanded. Holding up a hand, she shook her head. "Never mind."

 

With that, she darted off the bridge, releasing Krell as she did so. She ran all the way to the Eagle's Wing and arrived out of breath.

 

"Eagle," she gasped, "fire up. I'm angry."

 

"Uh oh," Eagle murmured. Seconds later, his engines kicked in and he roared out of docking bay 23, flying undaunted toward Ex-Zar's incoming Star Destroyer.

 

"Kat, I'm not sure I want to fight that thing," Eagle said cautiously.

 

"You could if you had to, couldn't you?" Kat demanded. "Don't answer that. At any rate, we're not about to fight. Just get me in there."

 

"In?" Eagle asked, alarmed. "But my dear Kathryn, that could be..."

 

"Dangerous?" Kat interrupted. "Please! You underestimate me. Nothing can touch me... but on second thought, just open a comm channel."

 

"The comm is open," Eagle said quietly.

 

"Ex-Zar, you're an annoyance," Kat announced.

 

"Let me translate," Eagle cut in. But Kat glared.

 

"I don't need translation," she hissed. "I'm saying exactly what I mean." To Ex-Zar, she continued, "What kind of arrogant bastard are you? From what I gather, you intercepted Va'ala and the Reiver in space shortly after they made a theft. You insisted on taking her and her ship to the Wheel, where you almost took advantage of Va'ala's connections. Then, I show up and you start closing your fist on Va'ala."

 

"Kat, I'm not sure this..." Eagle began.

 

"Stow it, Eagle!" Kat snapped. To Ex-Zar, she continued, "Now, I'm going to tell you exactly how things are going to work out here. Despite all appearances, I do have the stronger ship and yes, I realize you have a fleet. Now... Va'ala is arranging a meeting with your pirate. Once she's accomplished this, I'll swoop in with Eagle. Naturally, pirates would run from a pirate hunter. I chase them, they run right into your waiting fleet. You get your pirate. Got it?"

 

"Kat, are we really in a place to be making demands?" Eagle wondered.

 

"You've got brains," Kat retorted. "Figure it out."

 

"Well, I'm just trying to figure..." Eagle said thoughtfully.

 

"Figure silently," Kat interrupted. "Ex-Zar, in return for the pirate you want, I have something I need you to do. Quit blaming Va'ala for your irritation with me. And once this is all over, let us be on our way to Naboo." She sighed. "Look, I just don't understand you. After the incident on the Reiver with me mentioning Va'ala's spice addiction, you seemed to make it very clear that you wanted nothing to do with her. Then, you contact her, seemingly to force your 'help' on her. Make up your mind. Either you want to be associated with her or you don't. And more importantly, if she doesn't want to associate with you, then have the decency to back off and go your own way."

[JasraLantill]

Va'ala was stunned at the abrupt departure of Kat and the sudden release of Krell, who was deposited unceremoniously to the floor. And even more stunned when Krell launched himself at her and began to throttle her.

 

"Wait...!" she choked. Krell released her and was suddenly lifted up in the air again, but this time by Wabacca. After all, she was the captain and it was Va'ala that the Wookiee had a life-debt to, not Krell.

 

While Krell cursed and swore at the both of them, Va'ala hit the com button. "Ex-Zar?" she said hurriedly. "Don't listen to anything that Kat person says!" She didn't know that Kat and the Eagle were on their way to see Ex-Zar, but she figured that with Kat being angry, there was a good chance she would try to mess up her groveling with the ex-Remnant commander. "Look, I don't want you as an enemy, and, yes, I plan to get Tarrek first. The meeting place is on the way to Naboo." She paused a moment for breath. "And Kat is not my friend. She's dangerous and tricky and...." She looked around. "And gone." She looked over at Wabacca and Krell.

 

"She is gone, right?"

 

Krell stopped his struggling and looked around. "Yeah."

 

"And the detonators are loaded?"

 

"Yeah."

 

"Wabacca, put him down! Fire up those engines and let's get out of here!"

 

In a moment, the Reiver was departing The Wheel.

 

"Where to?" Krell asked.

 

Va'ala thought a moment. "Erm, set a course for...."

 

Wabacca roared and pointed out the window where they could see Ex-Zar's fleet. And the Eagle's Wing.

 

"Oh, crap!" Va'ala was panicking. "Why didn't someone tell me she left the station?! We'd have been better off staying there! Just... just...."

 

"Just set a course for Ex-Zar's ship," said Krell. He looked at Va'ala. "We're in enough trouble for the moment." He looked at Va'ala. "And you got some explaining to do."

 

"Me?"

 

"You."

 

Va'ala frowned at him. "What did Kat say to you?" she wondered.

 

Krell's reply was silence.

 

"Great. Now the whole world is mad at me!" Va'ala whined. "This day can't possibly get any worse."

 

"No? Kat took all the spice with her," Krell said.

 

Va'ala's frown turned into a scowl. "You always have to have the last word, don't you."

 

"Yup."

[Master_Archon]

Ex-Zar listened to Kat, and now he knew for certain she knew nothing of what she was talking about. "Ms.Grey, do you understand EVERYTHING that happened? No, I guess you dont, but I'll explain" he said calmly, "first, I captured Va'ala, thinking she was stealing vital suppies to my men, and their famalies, but I soon found that she was only stealing some lugjacks, so I tryed to make a deal with her to make amends," he took a breath. "Soon the deal was struck, she said she'd get me supplies and fuel, and said she'd help discover my pirate problem, in return, me and my fleet would be at her disposal to use when she was doing a job," he stopped to think on what to say next. "Then we went to the Wheel, where she gained the help of this Zeedo fellow, and got me supplies and fuel, but quickly got in a fight with you, and her...half-sister. Then back at the hangar, you decided to tell the world that Va'ala was a spice junky, and may I tell you I grew up with a harsh life, you dont know me, or my intentions, you dont know my life, so you can sure as hell butt out of my business," he said harshly, but quickly calming.

 

"I despise spice users, so I broke the deal, but yes I was frustrated at you for being the one to brake the deal," he said. "I came aboard to find that the pirate I had been hunting was going to Fellusia, and that I could cut him off at Yavin IV, what I intended to do was none of your business," he said flatout. "But, before I left, I decided I'd call up Va'ala to tell her that Blink decided to put half of the fleet's fuel bill on Va'ala's tab or account I should say," he said, getting to the point, and proving Kat dead wrong about his 'intentions'. "I had no wish to 'push' my help on her, on the contrary. But since she made an effective offer of telling me who the pirate was, and how I, or she could contact him, I decided to take her on her offer of a second chance, so you see, this is nothing like what you thought," he said. "As for your help, I dont need it, Va'ala's plan was much better, especially considering that a pirate hunter, mysteriously appearing, while a meeting with Va'ala's going on with this, Tarrek, then to suddenly chase them into me, no, that would ruin her credibility, as she said. Besides, if you jump in and chase them off, there's a better chance of him jumping into hyperspace, and never returning, than bumping into my waiting fleet," he said. "So before you, in all YOUR arrogance, think that you can come in, thinking you're somehow involved with all this, when you're not, think for a moment; 'do I know everything that's going on with this?' " he said mockingly. "See if I jumped in, in the middle of Va'ala's conversation with this pirate, then there's no way he's jumping into hyperspace, or running, because my ship has an interdictor field, and could outrun him with ease," he said.

 

"As for you making a deal with her, on the spice, I was only wanting to ensure that the deal went through, I was practically trying to help you stop her from using spice. As for you and her docking, and heading for Naboo, I was only trying get there quick, and meet with this fellow, I didn't realise the meeting could occure before going to Naboo," he said wearily, getting tired of explaining every detail to her, to get it through her thick head, that this 'thing' with Va'ala had nothing to do with her, and that she could just go to Naboo herself and drop the permacretes off while Ex-Zar and Va'ala were meeting this Tarrek. "Look, get off your high horse and listen, this doesn't concern you, when did it ever? Go to Naboo, drops the cretes off, and go on with your life, what is it that I did to you, you wanna ensure she doesn't use spice for a weak, a month, I'll make doubly sure, I'll burn every ounce of spice on her ship, heck! I'll blow her ship up inside the hangar, if it would keep her from taking more spice, I HATE SPICE, WHAT IS IT, WHY ARE YOU BEING SUCH AN ASS!?" He said harshly, and in a stern tone. "NO! You will do no demanding, this had nothing to do with you, and the plan with Tarrek of yours is DENIED, no, go to where ever you wish, this, IS NOT YOUR BUSINESS!" He said, but he didn't cut the link, he knew that she'd just get angry and throw a tantrum if he did.

 

Then recieving the hail from Va'ala he switched the channel. "Don't worry Va'ala, I'm not concerned with what that stuck-up has to say, let's just meet with Tarrek, so we can forget this whole mess, and if you dont want to do any more business with me afterwards, I can understand, I'll just drop you off on Naboo," he said, tired. "That is if you're docking your ship?" He asked. Then he switched channels, and spoke some commands to his crew.

 

Outside a Dreadnaught and a Lancer Class Frigate broke off from formation, and with amazing alacrisity, and speed for both ships, quickly got behind the Reiver, blocking off Kat's view of the Reiver heading for the Sovereign. Switching back to Va'ala's link, "just because I'm ashamed and dissapointed in you, doesn't mean I can't show some respect by giving you an escort, besides, if Kat were to see you, she'd probably try to do something about it," he said, explaining his reason for doing what he just did.

[Writer]

Kat released a weary sigh. "You're right, Ex-Zar. I had no right prying into your business. I didn't know the full story. Forgive me. I'll leave you alone. As for Va'ala's spice addiction, you can relax for a little while. Before I left, I made Krell show me all of her spice. I have every last bit of it and am set to destroy it." She smiled slightly. "At least in that goal, we're on the same side."

 

"Tell Va'ala it was a pleasure to meet her... despite the awkward circumstances," she went on. "I'm going to Naboo now. I'm sure I'll see all of you once you get there. Perhaps we can overcome these irritations."

 

She cut the connection and closed her eyes. "Eagle, set a course for Naboo. And come up with a way to get rid of that..." She shuddered slightly, "spice."

[JasraLantill]

Va’ala gave a sideways glance at Krell as Ex-Zar’s ships flanked her. “Uh oh…,” she said. “This doesn’t look good.”

 

“Just because I'm ashamed and disappointed in you, doesn't mean I can't show some respect by giving you an escort," said Ex-Zar on the comm. Besides, if Kat were to see you, she'd probably try to do something about it."

 

Va’ala let out a sigh of relief.

 

“I wouldn’t be too relieved,” said Krell. “You still have to deal with him first.”

 

“Yeah, but I sort of like Ex-Zar,” Va’ala said. “At least he doesn’t have the power to lift people into the air. Or read thoughts.”

 

Krell rubbed his head. “Or rip.”

 

Va’ala snorted. “Didn’t think there was anything worthwhile to ‘rip’ from your head.”

 

“How do you think Kat found all of the spice?” Krell sneered. “Spice-telepathy? By the way, you didn’t tell me you had a secret stash in the galley.”

 

“Oh. That. Sorry.”

 

“Or under the first aid kit.”

 

“You found that one, too?”

 

Krell glared at her. “And the one under the fresher tank. And the one in the enviro suit closet. And the one in the….”

 

“All right, all right! I get the picture!” Va’ala sighed. “At least she’s not onboard anymore.” Just then, they caught sight of the Eagle’s Wing veering away and into space. Va’ala grinned. “Yes! She’s leaving!” Then her grin abruptly faded. “Oh, wait, no! She can’t leave! She’s got half of the cargo!”

 

“Only twenty-five percent,” Krell said dryly.

 

“Yeah, but we only get paid if we deliver one-hundred percent,” Va’ala reminded him. “What if she’s decided not to go to Naboo?” She slumped back in her chair. “We are so screwed.”

 

“She’s a pirate hunter, Va’ala. Of course, she’s going to Naboo. Where else is she going to sell them without a permit? No credible smuggler or pirate would deal with her.”

 

“Well… what if she decides to just dump them someplace? You know, just to spite us?”

 

“She won’t.”

 

“You seem pretty sure about that.”

 

“I am. So, are we docking with the Sovereign, or not?” Krell asked, changing the subject before Va’ala could pry any further.

 

“Yeah, I guess it wouldn’t hurt. We won’t need to be on our own until Tarrek contacts us. And we probably need to go over the plan with Ex-Zar.”

 

Krell sent the Sovereign an automated docking request and headed for the landing bay.

[TheExile_Hunter]

"Hey, Jethro? Can you come to the cockpit? I've got something you and your sister should see..."

 

“Wonder what that’ll be…” Jethro murmured, as he sat up straight on the bed. He had given up on trying to forget about what happened back at the Wheel, but he couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed since whatever she had to show them obviously didn’t involve what happened back then. Still, it gave him an excuse to be in her presence. Without wasting any more time, he got up from his bed and went towards the cockpit.

 

Kyla was already waiting at the cockpit entrance. “About time…” she murmured when Jethro approached. She was still mad at him for ignoring her, and had to resist pushing him in the back when he entered the cockpit. Sighing, she followed him into the cockpit.

 

Jethro stood next to the captain’s seat, apparently unnoticed. His heart rate started to increase rapidly when he looked at Sara from the side and simply stood there without saying a word until Kyla decided she had enough of it and poked him in the back. “So what is it that you wanted to show us, Sara?” Jethro finally said. It was only then that he noticed the grim expression on her face. “Ah great, more bad news..”

[ForceFightWMe12]

"This," Sara said, not failing to notice how close he was standing next to her as she reached to hit the 'play' button on the device. Amol's voice echoed from the speakers tucked into the cockpit's frame, his voice filling the room as his last message replayed yet again. As it ended, the pilot reached forward and turned it off, leaning back with a sigh.

 

"That was recorded little over an hour and fourty-five minutes ago, standard time." she said, her head leaning against her fist, her eyes closed. "And I don't know what to do."

[Jason Skywalker]

"Well," Zhane said, taking out his Lightsaber and yawning a bit, "What do you say?"

[Dark_Lady]

"I say looks like fun," Jakyl said, igniting her own lightsaber.

[Jason Skywalker]

"Smart answer. Although," Zhane told her, backflipping out of the corridor and into outside, "That place's a little stretched, don't you think?"

[TheExile_Hunter]

It was bad news alright. Not only did he have to worry about his feelings for Sara, but now he had a missing party member as well. He stepped forwards and stared at the view screen which displayed the seemingly infinite space outside. Sighing heavily, Jethro spoke up. “I don’t like the idea of leaving him to whatever grim fate awaits him…” He paused briefly and turned to face both Kyla and Sara. “but like he said, we should bring the disk to Naboo first.”

[ForceFightWMe12]

"I can't find his ship, or the one that took it for that matter." Sara murmured. "But...I -- we -- can't just leave him to die...I mean, do we even know if what's on this disk is more important than a life?"

[Dark_Lady]

"Smart answer. Although," Zhane told her, backflipping out of the corridor and into outside, "That place's a little stretched, don't you think?"

 

"It was a little cramped in there," Jakyl said with a smile, leaping after him and swinging her lightsaber around towards his torso.

[Jason Skywalker]

"Indeed," Zhane said, parrying the blow, twisting his hand for the end of his blade to be facing his left, and then his right, then his left again, and so on, blocking the blows. He spun around, still blocking and then pushed her with his Lightsaber. He smiled, and swung from above.

[The Doctor]

((Alright guys, just as a heads up, the area where FFWM lives just got hit with about 70cm of snow. A great deal of people are without power - she's probably one of them. She may not be on for a while.))