"Go ahead. Shoot."
Aittera's vision was filled with the vibrant green eyes that spoke the dare behind the challenge as he took another step closer so that the blaster's barrel was pressed lightly against his chest. The scent of him - after-shave, the barest presence of a cologne that mingled well with his natural musk - hung in the air between them, drawing her further in. She could feel the heat of him, the barely contained desire to touch her, and the weight of his hand as it came to rest on the top of the blaster with the barest brush of his fingers against her hand.
She hesitated. Her instincts failed her as they wavered between a very real sense of danger and an equal portion of yearning. The recent dream swam to the forefront of her mind to taunt her with the time spent in the light of the dying fire. If she could just bring herself to squeeze the trigger, she could be free of this moment and the influence of that emerald gaze that dared her to give in to the inexplicable passion between them.
Her hand was at the back of his neck, pulling him into a heated kiss. He swept her into his arms and held her body against his as the blaster fell from her gun hand.
Time stopped.
The spell broke as their lips parted, and she took a step back. There was a new, deadly element in her demeanor as she recovered and glared at Jheryth. "Leave. Now."
Her shotgun was in hand before he'd cleared the hangar entrance, and she turned with a furious growl to loose shot after shot at the large cargo containers that had been waiting to be loaded. The smell of burning plastoid rose from one of them as her shotgun jammed, and she threw it forcefully against the far wall.
The fire suppression system kicked on, spraying the smoldering crate with white foam, while she stalked to a stack of smaller crates and picked up one after the other, hurling them against the closest wall. Several of them broke open on impact, spilling their contents - mostly food and dry goods - onto the floor as they landed, a tirade of expletives in a smattering of languages accompanying the act.
Later, after convincing dubious security personnel that she'd had a weapon malfunction with a great deal of smooth talk and a credit voucher passed between hands, she sat down heavily on an undamaged crate to survey the damage.
She could still taste him on her lips.
8/31/2013
8/27/2013
A not-so Quiet Drink ( How Aittera met Jheryth )
Aittera looked around her at the destruction in the hangar where the Devious Hope rested as she reflected on the first time she'd met Jheryth Chrystopher several months before.
Aittera was sitting in a small cantina in the back of a casino on Narr Shadaa's Promenade with her third or fourth drink in hand. She'd chosen the brightly lit and garishly colorful venue, because at this time of the evening, it was mostly empty as the larger, more well-known places drew the heft of the gambling crowd. This was the kind of place that filled up later, after the bigger prizes were doled out and the parties were over.
She'd been feeling anti-social, and in spite of the sounds of slot machines and the canned music from the speakers overhead in the ceiling, this was as close to a quiet drink as she was likely to find on the Promenade. She could've gone elsewhere, of course. There was no lack of seedy dives on the Smuggler's Moon. However, she had a meeting later, and convenience trumped...well, anything else, really. She'd felt a slight tickle at the edges of her perception since she'd landed, and it made her eager to get business wrapped up so she could leave.
As a rule, she relied on her gut, but this was very different. It wasn't the feeling she got when she knew she was being watched, for example, or when something dangerous was about to happen. Instinct and sharp reflexes were the cornerstone of her ability to stay alive in spite of her tendency to put herself into situations she shouldn't be able to walk away from. This was more like something that remained just out of focus, but hinted at a kind of feeling a child might get when reaching for the stove in the moment before his mother smacks his hand. The more she tried to analyze the feeling or figure out what it was, it darted away and left the question as to whether or not it was there at all.
She knew her luck, though. It was there, and whatever that sense was indicative of, it would not be a good thing. What was worse was that she'd be the idiot reaching for the hot stove.
"Just a brandy, please."
The voice had come from a little further down the bar, and she was roused from her thoughts at the same moment that little tickle became a magnetic pull. What struck her first was the vibrant green gaze that was fixed on her with intense contemplation. Immediately, she liked and hated the way he was watching her, taking her measure, smiling with an unnerving confidence that mirrored her usual brazen cockiness. His white hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail at the back of his neck, and the suit that framed his muscular six foot form was easily worth more than she'd made in the past six months.
The air between them was electric, and she could have easily focused on that save for the mental image of the hand and the stove top. Her gut was finally weighing in, and it was screaming danger.
He started the short exchange of bantering and flirting that followed as they spent the better part of the next hour in the usual dance. He bought her a drink. She gave him a hard time for being so pedestrian as hitting on a woman at a bar. He insinuated. She deflected. In any other circumstances, she would have been enjoying it, but damned if that stove top wasn't beckoning. There was a flow to it that was just so easy that she was tempted to stay and blow off her meeting to see where things might lead.
And then, she noticed the lightsaber hilt on his belt.
With a final witty jab, she got up and was halfway to the door before he came up from behind her, asserting that he'd at least earned her name. When she turned to respond, he was close enough to her that she was in his space, and the draw had somehow felt even stronger.
Looking up into his face, she saw it there - he wasn't creating that magnetic pull, he was experiencing it too. She leaned forward as he bent his head forward, and she whispered something in his ear. It wasn't her name, but it would surely stick with him long after she'd left, and it was distraction enough that he didn't notice that his jacket pocket was a little lighter as she turned to walk away.
Aittera was sitting in a small cantina in the back of a casino on Narr Shadaa's Promenade with her third or fourth drink in hand. She'd chosen the brightly lit and garishly colorful venue, because at this time of the evening, it was mostly empty as the larger, more well-known places drew the heft of the gambling crowd. This was the kind of place that filled up later, after the bigger prizes were doled out and the parties were over.
She'd been feeling anti-social, and in spite of the sounds of slot machines and the canned music from the speakers overhead in the ceiling, this was as close to a quiet drink as she was likely to find on the Promenade. She could've gone elsewhere, of course. There was no lack of seedy dives on the Smuggler's Moon. However, she had a meeting later, and convenience trumped...well, anything else, really. She'd felt a slight tickle at the edges of her perception since she'd landed, and it made her eager to get business wrapped up so she could leave.
As a rule, she relied on her gut, but this was very different. It wasn't the feeling she got when she knew she was being watched, for example, or when something dangerous was about to happen. Instinct and sharp reflexes were the cornerstone of her ability to stay alive in spite of her tendency to put herself into situations she shouldn't be able to walk away from. This was more like something that remained just out of focus, but hinted at a kind of feeling a child might get when reaching for the stove in the moment before his mother smacks his hand. The more she tried to analyze the feeling or figure out what it was, it darted away and left the question as to whether or not it was there at all.
She knew her luck, though. It was there, and whatever that sense was indicative of, it would not be a good thing. What was worse was that she'd be the idiot reaching for the hot stove.
"Just a brandy, please."
The voice had come from a little further down the bar, and she was roused from her thoughts at the same moment that little tickle became a magnetic pull. What struck her first was the vibrant green gaze that was fixed on her with intense contemplation. Immediately, she liked and hated the way he was watching her, taking her measure, smiling with an unnerving confidence that mirrored her usual brazen cockiness. His white hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail at the back of his neck, and the suit that framed his muscular six foot form was easily worth more than she'd made in the past six months.
The air between them was electric, and she could have easily focused on that save for the mental image of the hand and the stove top. Her gut was finally weighing in, and it was screaming danger.
He started the short exchange of bantering and flirting that followed as they spent the better part of the next hour in the usual dance. He bought her a drink. She gave him a hard time for being so pedestrian as hitting on a woman at a bar. He insinuated. She deflected. In any other circumstances, she would have been enjoying it, but damned if that stove top wasn't beckoning. There was a flow to it that was just so easy that she was tempted to stay and blow off her meeting to see where things might lead.
And then, she noticed the lightsaber hilt on his belt.
With a final witty jab, she got up and was halfway to the door before he came up from behind her, asserting that he'd at least earned her name. When she turned to respond, he was close enough to her that she was in his space, and the draw had somehow felt even stronger.
Looking up into his face, she saw it there - he wasn't creating that magnetic pull, he was experiencing it too. She leaned forward as he bent his head forward, and she whispered something in his ear. It wasn't her name, but it would surely stick with him long after she'd left, and it was distraction enough that he didn't notice that his jacket pocket was a little lighter as she turned to walk away.
8/20/2013
Picking Up the Pieces, cont'd
Jheryth stirred, his arm instinctively reaching out for something. He became dimly aware of the empty space under his arm, and the cool dampness of the grass. He opened his eyes, sitting bolt upright, looking around. He was still at the campsite, the sun was rising, and he was alone. He blinked his eyes, absently rubbing the scruff of his chin. He filled his lungs deeply, certain he could still smell her perfume. He could see her face so clearly in his mind. It felt so real, he was certain she was really here.
Or was.
He shook his head, chuckling to himself. If it was his dream, he was amazed at how beautiful she looked in that green dress. He contemplated having one made the next time he was at a marketplace. The dream was so intense, it still hadn't begun to fade as he started to pack up the campsite. There was something important about that dream, instinct screamed it at him, he just could not piece together what exactly that was.
He pulled his comm out from his backpack, placing it into his ear and pressing the call button, "Good morning you two. It's time to go. I've found what I was looking for." Jheryth pulled out a green holocron crystal, made of pure Emerald, in just the perfect shape for his lightsaber. He rolled it around in his fingertips, admiring it, before placing it back into his backpack. He finished getting dressed and packed up the campsite. He could feel the wind stir from the wake of his ship.
He looked back, across the ashen remains of the campfire, "She would have been standing right there."
Or was.
He shook his head, chuckling to himself. If it was his dream, he was amazed at how beautiful she looked in that green dress. He contemplated having one made the next time he was at a marketplace. The dream was so intense, it still hadn't begun to fade as he started to pack up the campsite. There was something important about that dream, instinct screamed it at him, he just could not piece together what exactly that was.
He pulled his comm out from his backpack, placing it into his ear and pressing the call button, "Good morning you two. It's time to go. I've found what I was looking for." Jheryth pulled out a green holocron crystal, made of pure Emerald, in just the perfect shape for his lightsaber. He rolled it around in his fingertips, admiring it, before placing it back into his backpack. He finished getting dressed and packed up the campsite. He could feel the wind stir from the wake of his ship.
He looked back, across the ashen remains of the campfire, "She would have been standing right there."
8/19/2013
The Dream (Picking Up the Pieces, cont'd)
As Aittera stepped into the moonlit clearing, a gentle breeze stirred the skirt of the emerald silk dress that she wore. The sounds of the forest mingled with that of the dying embers in what was left of the fire in the center of the campsite. He was standing on the opposite side of it, waiting for her, and the waning firelight cast a dim glow in his loose white hair and piercing green eyes.
The dark shadow on his neck and chin told her that he'd been here a few days, and the amusing contrast of a dark beard with all of that white hair struck her, causing a smile. She took one step further to join him in the fading circle of firelight, his gaze leaving hers just long enough to appraise the way the dress flowed around her while defining every delicious curve like a sensuous embrace. It seemed only fair, she thought to herself. While he was drinking her appearance in, she was admiring his muscular arms and strong, chiseled chest.
It seemed as though one step brought him to her side of the fire, and he was standing before her, his hands raised to cradle her face as gently as though he were handling something delicate and precious. Her senses were so filled with his presence, she swayed on her feet, leaning into him until he captured her lips with his own...
Aittera's eyes opened to the darkness of her quarters aboard the Devious Hope. Beside her, Selus slept with an arm hooked around her, his breath slow and steady. The dream had seemed as real as this moment, and it took several minutes to dispel it, dismissing it as nothing really important.
The dark shadow on his neck and chin told her that he'd been here a few days, and the amusing contrast of a dark beard with all of that white hair struck her, causing a smile. She took one step further to join him in the fading circle of firelight, his gaze leaving hers just long enough to appraise the way the dress flowed around her while defining every delicious curve like a sensuous embrace. It seemed only fair, she thought to herself. While he was drinking her appearance in, she was admiring his muscular arms and strong, chiseled chest.
It seemed as though one step brought him to her side of the fire, and he was standing before her, his hands raised to cradle her face as gently as though he were handling something delicate and precious. Her senses were so filled with his presence, she swayed on her feet, leaning into him until he captured her lips with his own...
Aittera's eyes opened to the darkness of her quarters aboard the Devious Hope. Beside her, Selus slept with an arm hooked around her, his breath slow and steady. The dream had seemed as real as this moment, and it took several minutes to dispel it, dismissing it as nothing really important.
8/16/2013
Chrystopher Legacy- Chapter 2:Introductions
Chapter 2: Introductions
Jheryth felt his lightsabre fly off from his belt a moment before he felt an unfamiliar presence at the edge of the clearing. He turned in the direction of the invader, standing to his feet in one motion. He saw the blade of this lightsabre ignite, hovering in mid-air, casting a faint glow against a blurry figure. He moved cautiously towards the strange visage, stretching out with the Force to gain any information about this new threat. The closer he got, the more solid the figure became, revealing a humanoid shape just barely taller than his own six feet, though not as broad. The stranger was clothed in green robes with black trim and odd symbols. Jheryth kept his focus more on his lightsaber, ready to react, taking into account the sleeved arm hovering over the handle. An older voice, strong and commanding, emanated forth, having a very strong and unfamiliar accent, "A well constructed lightsabre. Very classic design. That part is very curious, though perhaps not very surprising." Jheryth remembered hearing the voice not to long ago.
The man lowered his hood, the green glow of his eyes revealing stark white hair and a face very similar to his father's. "When I found you in this clearing, five years ago, I had very high expectations." Jheryth narrowed his eyes, studying the man's face, his hand twitching slightly, wanting to grab his saber. The body of the man shimmered in the moonlight, his eyes seemed to arc green tendrils of energy from his pupils outward. "What are you?", Jheryth asked softly, awed and intrigued by the power of the man before him. A wicked grin spread across The man's lips as the green energy in his eyes sparked more intensly, "What I am is not of real consequence. Who I am to you, and if you can live up to those expectations, that is the real question." He motioned his hand along the saber's projection, "I see you chose a red color crystal. How common." Rage contorted Jheryth's face, grabbing his lightsabre, "I am a Sith Lord!" As he swung his sabre, the man calmly put his hand up, creating a barrier that held the swing in place, "I've heard that mantra that you chose, and you're going to cling to belonging to the Sith? You don't fit in. Not with Jedi. Or Sith. You could care less about the Empire, and even House Ulgo has disowned you." Jheryth starred in disbelief, turning off his sabre and attaching it back to his belt, "How do you know this?"
The man smiled for the first time, "I know a great deal about your family, and what they truly come from." He motioned a hand towards the clearing, "This place that you claim as home, this clearing, this forest, it is not by chance. It already belongs to you. If you want to know who you are, and what you could become, then find what I have left here for you. You will find what you really belong to." The man became translucent, then faded away in a green mist.
Jheryth felt his lightsabre fly off from his belt a moment before he felt an unfamiliar presence at the edge of the clearing. He turned in the direction of the invader, standing to his feet in one motion. He saw the blade of this lightsabre ignite, hovering in mid-air, casting a faint glow against a blurry figure. He moved cautiously towards the strange visage, stretching out with the Force to gain any information about this new threat. The closer he got, the more solid the figure became, revealing a humanoid shape just barely taller than his own six feet, though not as broad. The stranger was clothed in green robes with black trim and odd symbols. Jheryth kept his focus more on his lightsaber, ready to react, taking into account the sleeved arm hovering over the handle. An older voice, strong and commanding, emanated forth, having a very strong and unfamiliar accent, "A well constructed lightsabre. Very classic design. That part is very curious, though perhaps not very surprising." Jheryth remembered hearing the voice not to long ago.
The man lowered his hood, the green glow of his eyes revealing stark white hair and a face very similar to his father's. "When I found you in this clearing, five years ago, I had very high expectations." Jheryth narrowed his eyes, studying the man's face, his hand twitching slightly, wanting to grab his saber. The body of the man shimmered in the moonlight, his eyes seemed to arc green tendrils of energy from his pupils outward. "What are you?", Jheryth asked softly, awed and intrigued by the power of the man before him. A wicked grin spread across The man's lips as the green energy in his eyes sparked more intensly, "What I am is not of real consequence. Who I am to you, and if you can live up to those expectations, that is the real question." He motioned his hand along the saber's projection, "I see you chose a red color crystal. How common." Rage contorted Jheryth's face, grabbing his lightsabre, "I am a Sith Lord!" As he swung his sabre, the man calmly put his hand up, creating a barrier that held the swing in place, "I've heard that mantra that you chose, and you're going to cling to belonging to the Sith? You don't fit in. Not with Jedi. Or Sith. You could care less about the Empire, and even House Ulgo has disowned you." Jheryth starred in disbelief, turning off his sabre and attaching it back to his belt, "How do you know this?"
The man smiled for the first time, "I know a great deal about your family, and what they truly come from." He motioned a hand towards the clearing, "This place that you claim as home, this clearing, this forest, it is not by chance. It already belongs to you. If you want to know who you are, and what you could become, then find what I have left here for you. You will find what you really belong to." The man became translucent, then faded away in a green mist.
Unexpected News
Kel'ri stared at the datapad in her hand. Two hours ago, she'd been laughing and playing truth or dare with a bunch of friends, and now...
She should be crying, shouldn't she? When her mother had died, she'd cried for days as though the world had ended. She began to feel guilty for the relief that she had felt when Deke'o had given her the news, because the secrets she'd so carefully guarded could now die with the rest of her family.
Wasn't she just talking with someone about their father? Rhiordan had been talking about her father, and he was happy for her. Kel'ri had smiled and been happy for her without the slightest sense of jealousy for a father that could be a good influence in his daughter's life. It was like just that small story made it easy to share in that feeling of being loved by a good father.
She imagined her father as he was before her mother's passing, warm and filled with a father's love for his little girl who detested skirts and could beat the boys at most any game on the playground and was teased by her older brothers. But she'd already mourned the loss of that father, hadn't she? He'd been replaced by someone she couldn't recognize, filled with anger and contempt for anything that reminded him of his loss - including Kel'ri.
The datapad slowly unblurred as she blinked back the unshed tears from her eyes, and she counted the zeroes again. Deke'o had called it her 'share', her inheritance. It was carefully diverted and disguised so that she couldn't be traced by it, he'd said. Now, what to do with it...
And why wasn't she crying?
She should be crying, shouldn't she? When her mother had died, she'd cried for days as though the world had ended. She began to feel guilty for the relief that she had felt when Deke'o had given her the news, because the secrets she'd so carefully guarded could now die with the rest of her family.
Wasn't she just talking with someone about their father? Rhiordan had been talking about her father, and he was happy for her. Kel'ri had smiled and been happy for her without the slightest sense of jealousy for a father that could be a good influence in his daughter's life. It was like just that small story made it easy to share in that feeling of being loved by a good father.
She imagined her father as he was before her mother's passing, warm and filled with a father's love for his little girl who detested skirts and could beat the boys at most any game on the playground and was teased by her older brothers. But she'd already mourned the loss of that father, hadn't she? He'd been replaced by someone she couldn't recognize, filled with anger and contempt for anything that reminded him of his loss - including Kel'ri.
The datapad slowly unblurred as she blinked back the unshed tears from her eyes, and she counted the zeroes again. Deke'o had called it her 'share', her inheritance. It was carefully diverted and disguised so that she couldn't be traced by it, he'd said. Now, what to do with it...
And why wasn't she crying?
8/13/2013
In Over Her Head, pt 4
Deke'o Starbreaker waits in the cockpit of The Maiden, having landed it in a clearing a kilometer or so from the Jedi training grounds, near the Twi'lek village. It seemed like not so long ago he'd first hooked up with his Jedi to deliver medical supplies here. Now they were back, and he was getting impatient.
When Litessen finally returns to the ship, she quickly heads for the cockpit, instinctively knowing where he would be and aware of his impatience long before arriving. As he turns to greet her, she gives him a warm smile that is purely for his benefit after the series of discussions and meetings she's spent the day in.
"Thank you for that database you recovered. It helped a great deal. Though I should tell you that neither of us will ever receive credit for its retrieval. Officially, while Master Zaron was on Taris last year, he discovered it as well as a little Mirialan girl who showed remarkable force sensitivity, and he brought both back with him at the time."
Deke'o gives her one of his lopsided grins when she finishes, putting his feet up on the console as he crosses his arms over his chest. "Officially, if they're able to tell lies like that, they should have no trouble making up some grand story, with appropriate heroics, for getting us some additional pay."
Litessen can't help but smile at his response. "Don't hold your breath. Still...since the negotiations I attended did not officially take place, there is little likelihood that anyone from the Republic will investigate Yen's existence. If someone does inquire after her, the Council has agreed to keep her true identity a secret."
Deke'o gets annoyed, but it's not because he's missing out on a payday for the database. It's because of her phrasing. "Oh they agreed did they? If they hadn't, the Republic would have needed new Jedi leadership. Did you give them my suggestion that she could change her name to Yen Starbreaker?"
Litessen answers patiently, "No, I did not. She'll be safer with a name that doesn't connect her in any way to you or I. The threat isn't past. After speaking with Yen, the Council has given me a new directive. It seems the circumstances surrounding her planned sale were a bit more complicated than a slaving transaction.
"The man who owned her - Jalif Makria - is part of a powerful merchant guild that operates in both the Empire and the Republic - discreetly, of course. While I agree with your feelings about slavery in general, as slave owners go, he seems to be among a minority that actually treat their slaves well and keep families together, even caring for their needs responsibly beyond the minimum necessities. Yen describes him very favorably, and she has grown up with her mother and two sisters."
Deke'o frowns, but lets the need to express his distaste go. "Speaking of threats, has there been any news of a handless man found dead on Taris? 'Cause that would make my day, actually."
"I haven't had the opportunity to look, but my feeling is that the bounty hunter won't last long if he did survive. There's a Sith involved in this. They don't like failure."
"As I said, this is more complicated," she added.
"With the Sith, things always are. You're trained for them, right?"
Litessen nods. "Yen's owner didn't want to sell her. He brought her back to his space station so that she could say goodbye to her family first."
"So, if we want to make sure she is completely safe, we just need to find this Sith and destroy him. Perhaps we should just start with every single one we meet, we'll eventually narrow it down."
"Perhaps we should talk when you can be less emotional about this?"
"This isn't emotional. This is me wanting to make sure that little girl never has to look over her shoulder."
Litessen turns a console chair to face him and slides into it. "Alright. Explain to me in realistic terms how you plan to go into a full on war against the Empire, and don't forget to include every Hutt and every gangster in the known universe."
She pauses to let that sink in before continuing. "The only way to safeguard her is to take this step by step, and even then, she won't always be safe - not from everything that could ever happen to her, anyway."
Deke'o gets one of his grins that says he's either got something completely brilliant in mind, or something sarcastic, or both. "Have you ever heard of the Foundry?"
Litessen sighs, rubbing her eyes. "I'm going to regret whatever you're about to say, aren't I?"
"Well, you asked how I planned to go into a full on war against the Empire."
"I was trying to make a point."
"I know. I'm just worried for her."
"She's safe now, Deke'o. I'm more worried about why this Sith wanted her enough to pressure one of the richest men in the universe into selling her."
"I know, I know." He throws his hands up in surrender. "And that's really the question. What about Yen was so special? I mean, she's an amazing kid, probably my favorite in the Galaxy. Was there something about her force ability?"
"Nothing that sets her apart from any other force sensitive youth. And if he just wanted her for training, Makria would've spun it that way when he sat down with the family to explain the situation. Instead, he offered the mother the consolation that he would make sure that Yen's sisters would have the best positions he could give them in his household. To Yen, it was as if they were already mourning her death. She knew she was in terrible danger."
Deke'o clenches a fist, but doesn't have another outburst - yet. He thinks on it for several long moments, then shakes his head as if to drive the thoughts away, like they're in a place he doesn't even want to think about. He just looks at Litessen, waiting to see if she's got any insight into the situation.
"Yen met him. I have a description, at least, but no name. I can't go back to Makria, because it would confirm that I took her. Right now, all her safety rests in the details of her disappearance being as scarce as possible. All I have is her accounting of the meeting, and it was very brief."
"I could try my underworld contacts. Through an intermediary of course. I wouldn't risk my name being associated with it."
Litessen nods. "That might help." She falls silent for a thoughtful moment. "She said that when he approached her, she knew her death was waiting with him. I don't know if she realized she was force sensitive before that moment."
"As much as I don't want to, I could also try an old adversary in Imperial Intelligence. He owes me a favor, might be able to get us a name from the description. Maybe."
"It's a place to start. Thank you."
[This post is converted from a scene RP'd with player-Deke'o. Huge thanks to him for allowing me to use it and for his contribution to this story. I'm only ever as good as the people I have the privilege of RP'ing with, and he is, as always, a great friend.]
When Litessen finally returns to the ship, she quickly heads for the cockpit, instinctively knowing where he would be and aware of his impatience long before arriving. As he turns to greet her, she gives him a warm smile that is purely for his benefit after the series of discussions and meetings she's spent the day in.
"Thank you for that database you recovered. It helped a great deal. Though I should tell you that neither of us will ever receive credit for its retrieval. Officially, while Master Zaron was on Taris last year, he discovered it as well as a little Mirialan girl who showed remarkable force sensitivity, and he brought both back with him at the time."
Deke'o gives her one of his lopsided grins when she finishes, putting his feet up on the console as he crosses his arms over his chest. "Officially, if they're able to tell lies like that, they should have no trouble making up some grand story, with appropriate heroics, for getting us some additional pay."
Litessen can't help but smile at his response. "Don't hold your breath. Still...since the negotiations I attended did not officially take place, there is little likelihood that anyone from the Republic will investigate Yen's existence. If someone does inquire after her, the Council has agreed to keep her true identity a secret."
Deke'o gets annoyed, but it's not because he's missing out on a payday for the database. It's because of her phrasing. "Oh they agreed did they? If they hadn't, the Republic would have needed new Jedi leadership. Did you give them my suggestion that she could change her name to Yen Starbreaker?"
Litessen answers patiently, "No, I did not. She'll be safer with a name that doesn't connect her in any way to you or I. The threat isn't past. After speaking with Yen, the Council has given me a new directive. It seems the circumstances surrounding her planned sale were a bit more complicated than a slaving transaction.
"The man who owned her - Jalif Makria - is part of a powerful merchant guild that operates in both the Empire and the Republic - discreetly, of course. While I agree with your feelings about slavery in general, as slave owners go, he seems to be among a minority that actually treat their slaves well and keep families together, even caring for their needs responsibly beyond the minimum necessities. Yen describes him very favorably, and she has grown up with her mother and two sisters."
Deke'o frowns, but lets the need to express his distaste go. "Speaking of threats, has there been any news of a handless man found dead on Taris? 'Cause that would make my day, actually."
"I haven't had the opportunity to look, but my feeling is that the bounty hunter won't last long if he did survive. There's a Sith involved in this. They don't like failure."
"As I said, this is more complicated," she added.
"With the Sith, things always are. You're trained for them, right?"
Litessen nods. "Yen's owner didn't want to sell her. He brought her back to his space station so that she could say goodbye to her family first."
"So, if we want to make sure she is completely safe, we just need to find this Sith and destroy him. Perhaps we should just start with every single one we meet, we'll eventually narrow it down."
"Perhaps we should talk when you can be less emotional about this?"
"This isn't emotional. This is me wanting to make sure that little girl never has to look over her shoulder."
Litessen turns a console chair to face him and slides into it. "Alright. Explain to me in realistic terms how you plan to go into a full on war against the Empire, and don't forget to include every Hutt and every gangster in the known universe."
She pauses to let that sink in before continuing. "The only way to safeguard her is to take this step by step, and even then, she won't always be safe - not from everything that could ever happen to her, anyway."
Deke'o gets one of his grins that says he's either got something completely brilliant in mind, or something sarcastic, or both. "Have you ever heard of the Foundry?"
Litessen sighs, rubbing her eyes. "I'm going to regret whatever you're about to say, aren't I?"
"Well, you asked how I planned to go into a full on war against the Empire."
"I was trying to make a point."
"I know. I'm just worried for her."
"She's safe now, Deke'o. I'm more worried about why this Sith wanted her enough to pressure one of the richest men in the universe into selling her."
"I know, I know." He throws his hands up in surrender. "And that's really the question. What about Yen was so special? I mean, she's an amazing kid, probably my favorite in the Galaxy. Was there something about her force ability?"
"Nothing that sets her apart from any other force sensitive youth. And if he just wanted her for training, Makria would've spun it that way when he sat down with the family to explain the situation. Instead, he offered the mother the consolation that he would make sure that Yen's sisters would have the best positions he could give them in his household. To Yen, it was as if they were already mourning her death. She knew she was in terrible danger."
Deke'o clenches a fist, but doesn't have another outburst - yet. He thinks on it for several long moments, then shakes his head as if to drive the thoughts away, like they're in a place he doesn't even want to think about. He just looks at Litessen, waiting to see if she's got any insight into the situation.
"Yen met him. I have a description, at least, but no name. I can't go back to Makria, because it would confirm that I took her. Right now, all her safety rests in the details of her disappearance being as scarce as possible. All I have is her accounting of the meeting, and it was very brief."
"I could try my underworld contacts. Through an intermediary of course. I wouldn't risk my name being associated with it."
Litessen nods. "That might help." She falls silent for a thoughtful moment. "She said that when he approached her, she knew her death was waiting with him. I don't know if she realized she was force sensitive before that moment."
"As much as I don't want to, I could also try an old adversary in Imperial Intelligence. He owes me a favor, might be able to get us a name from the description. Maybe."
"It's a place to start. Thank you."
[This post is converted from a scene RP'd with player-Deke'o. Huge thanks to him for allowing me to use it and for his contribution to this story. I'm only ever as good as the people I have the privilege of RP'ing with, and he is, as always, a great friend.]
8/11/2013
Chrystopher Legacy Chapter 1: Echoes of the Past
Chapter 1: Echoes of the Past
Jheryth opened the bay doors on his fury class starship to reveal a small forest clearing. He slung a survival pack over his shoulder and turned to address his small crew, "Head to house Thul, you should be received well. Enjoy some time off. I shall contact you when it is time to leave." His crew nodded and made their way back to the cockpit. Jheryth stepped out into the forest, hearing the door hiss close and the thrusters warm up. He turned and watch his ship and crew take off.
He turned back to the clearing. He placed a hand on a hearty tree, like a friend gripping the hand of an old friend. He marveled at the strong brown bark, having a distaste of the Hydenock trees that Alderaan was famous for. He ran his hand along the bark, then rubbed the dirt into both hands.
His thoughts and emotions spun around in his head. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, slowing down the personal onslaught he was feeling. Knowing it all must come to the surface, feel it all, put all his thoughts in their place.
He took another deep breath, centering himself, letting the forst fade away, his mind's eye pulling up the memory of his parents. He remembered how pleased they were when he was identified as force-sensitive, that a Chrystopher was to be trained as a Jedi. Jheryth's brow furrowed as the scene was replaced by the look on his parents faces when he returned from the Acadamy. Having to tell his parents that he was kicked out of the Academy. Their looks of disappointment, disdain, and rejection. Jheryth watched his former self, taking a few personal belongings and a survival pack, walking out without another word to his parents.
Jheryth opened his eyes, surveying the clearing, watching the shadows slowly creep across, heralding the coming nightfall. He set his pack down against an old log, the clearing having the look of a well-used campsite. He pulled out a few things from his pack, arranging a few cooking tools, sleeping bag, and a flint stone. He stood, looked around, and moved about the clearing, picking up some bits of wood and kindling. He thought back to the long walk from his parents estate, living off the forest, wandering for weeks, loosing all sense of time, until he found this very clearing. Without the slightest trace of civilization, he claimed this clearing as his own.
He made his way back to the campsite, set a fire going, then sat down on the sleeping bag, just starring into the fire, watching orange embers drift into the night. He couldn't fight the grin spreading across his lips as he thought of auburn hair and green eyes. He tried to recall any other woman he had been with, but no woman ever held his attention quite like she did. It was that hunger, that unbridled passion that matched his own, that first attracted him to her. Add on top of that, she was the property of a Sith Lord. The pursuit was too tantalizing to resist. He breathed in deeply, knowing the emoiton of defeat was surfacing again. No matter how much he thought he wanted her, she was not to be his. This Sith Lord was far stronger, and more cunning, beating him at every turn, taking every opportunity to humiliate him. In the end, another Sith convinced him that she just wasn't worth it. He let the thought of his first infatuation drift away with the winking embers.
"Aittera." He let her name roll off his lips. He remembered meeting her in one of the many cantinas on Nar Shadaa. He remembered knowing that he just had to go to that cantina that night. her wit, sharp banter, beautiful scarlet curls. A pull to this woman beyond anything physical. He just had to have her. Her name, her scent burned inside his chest. He had to hand it to her. She was really good at staying off of Imperial records. Standard inquiries got him no where, and it wasn't until their second meeting that he got her name, and so much more.
He sighed heavily, thinking back to his recent attack on an SIS station. He stood up suddenly, growling to himself. Disaster hardly described the results of that attack. Not only was it just a small surveillance station, monitoring some Hutt, but the computer server went no where. Not even a data link to slice. He gripped his hands into fists as he relived the battle inside the SIS station. The Force was with him. He defeated everyone inside. Not once had he let an enemy live. In every battle, there is victory. And the Force claims her spoils, and makes her champion stronger. So why did he let that Jedi leave with his life? He pressed his fists to his head, letting out an anguished scream.
Jheryth opened the bay doors on his fury class starship to reveal a small forest clearing. He slung a survival pack over his shoulder and turned to address his small crew, "Head to house Thul, you should be received well. Enjoy some time off. I shall contact you when it is time to leave." His crew nodded and made their way back to the cockpit. Jheryth stepped out into the forest, hearing the door hiss close and the thrusters warm up. He turned and watch his ship and crew take off.
He turned back to the clearing. He placed a hand on a hearty tree, like a friend gripping the hand of an old friend. He marveled at the strong brown bark, having a distaste of the Hydenock trees that Alderaan was famous for. He ran his hand along the bark, then rubbed the dirt into both hands.
His thoughts and emotions spun around in his head. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, slowing down the personal onslaught he was feeling. Knowing it all must come to the surface, feel it all, put all his thoughts in their place.
He took another deep breath, centering himself, letting the forst fade away, his mind's eye pulling up the memory of his parents. He remembered how pleased they were when he was identified as force-sensitive, that a Chrystopher was to be trained as a Jedi. Jheryth's brow furrowed as the scene was replaced by the look on his parents faces when he returned from the Acadamy. Having to tell his parents that he was kicked out of the Academy. Their looks of disappointment, disdain, and rejection. Jheryth watched his former self, taking a few personal belongings and a survival pack, walking out without another word to his parents.
Jheryth opened his eyes, surveying the clearing, watching the shadows slowly creep across, heralding the coming nightfall. He set his pack down against an old log, the clearing having the look of a well-used campsite. He pulled out a few things from his pack, arranging a few cooking tools, sleeping bag, and a flint stone. He stood, looked around, and moved about the clearing, picking up some bits of wood and kindling. He thought back to the long walk from his parents estate, living off the forest, wandering for weeks, loosing all sense of time, until he found this very clearing. Without the slightest trace of civilization, he claimed this clearing as his own.
He made his way back to the campsite, set a fire going, then sat down on the sleeping bag, just starring into the fire, watching orange embers drift into the night. He couldn't fight the grin spreading across his lips as he thought of auburn hair and green eyes. He tried to recall any other woman he had been with, but no woman ever held his attention quite like she did. It was that hunger, that unbridled passion that matched his own, that first attracted him to her. Add on top of that, she was the property of a Sith Lord. The pursuit was too tantalizing to resist. He breathed in deeply, knowing the emoiton of defeat was surfacing again. No matter how much he thought he wanted her, she was not to be his. This Sith Lord was far stronger, and more cunning, beating him at every turn, taking every opportunity to humiliate him. In the end, another Sith convinced him that she just wasn't worth it. He let the thought of his first infatuation drift away with the winking embers.
"Aittera." He let her name roll off his lips. He remembered meeting her in one of the many cantinas on Nar Shadaa. He remembered knowing that he just had to go to that cantina that night. her wit, sharp banter, beautiful scarlet curls. A pull to this woman beyond anything physical. He just had to have her. Her name, her scent burned inside his chest. He had to hand it to her. She was really good at staying off of Imperial records. Standard inquiries got him no where, and it wasn't until their second meeting that he got her name, and so much more.
He sighed heavily, thinking back to his recent attack on an SIS station. He stood up suddenly, growling to himself. Disaster hardly described the results of that attack. Not only was it just a small surveillance station, monitoring some Hutt, but the computer server went no where. Not even a data link to slice. He gripped his hands into fists as he relived the battle inside the SIS station. The Force was with him. He defeated everyone inside. Not once had he let an enemy live. In every battle, there is victory. And the Force claims her spoils, and makes her champion stronger. So why did he let that Jedi leave with his life? He pressed his fists to his head, letting out an anguished scream.
8/08/2013
In Over Her Head, part 3
Terrakos stormed into the living room, shrugging off two female slaves still trying to keep his attention. Jalif Makria turned in surprise to the intrusion, the fear draining all color from his face as he tried to appear in control. "My lord Terrakos! I hope my staff is treating you well?"
Terrakos stood there, coldly regarding his host, "Makria, though your 'staff' are quite good at distraction, my patience grows thin. What news do you have about my property?"
Jalif turned to his wife, her terror more evident than his own, "My dear, would you.." As Jalik's wife began to stand, Terrakos raised his hand, sending out an arc of electricity, knocking her back down to the couch, "I think she can stay." He strode across the room, closing the distance between himself and his hosts, a sneer playing across his lips, "After all, you are married. You both are in this together."
Jalif straightened, putting forth a brave face, "M-mlord, the girl has escaped. It's possible she was aided by a Jedi."
Terrakos thrust his hand out toward the woman, sending arcs of electricity through her body as Jalif pleaded. Terrakos turned the voltage down, speaking to him while admiring the sight of the writhing woman, "I want all the data you have about this thief transferred to my ship."
"Of course my lord. P-p-please release my wife."
Terrakos narrowed his eyes as he mulled over his options. He knew Jalif had some dealings with the Republic. The electricity stopped flowing out of his hand, leaving the woman writhing in agony. He didn't need to make more enemies by killing Jalif's wife, not when he had a thief to hunt.
Still...
8/07/2013
Star Wars: The Old Republic Character List
Ebon Hawk Server
Republic Side
Litessen - Jedi Guardian. Nickname: Lita. Species: Mirialan.
Lita's compassionate, articulate, outspoken. She believes in the good in people and that a Jedi's primary function is to protect those who cannot protect themselves, not seeing them as weak, but as part of the Force that she serves. She believes in the ideals of the Republic, if not necessarily the law of it, realizing that a government is necessary for order and peace, but those laws do not take into account singular situations or individuals who may be an exception to the rule. In spite of having excellent diplomatic skills, she has a tendency in her own life to rush into things without taking her own safety into account. She flies with the "Maiden", a starship captained by her husband, Deke'o Starbreaker. She's also become known by her friends as a magnet for stray children who are often runaways and/or in danger.
Tal'rend - Jedi Sentinel. Qorian's padawan. Nickname: Tal. Species: Zabrak.
Tal's a handful. She's smart, strong in the force, and picks up new skills with gifted ease. She's also a bit incorrigible, pulls pranks, and likes to draw attention to herself. She's immature and impatient. A lot of this comes from her being double-babied by her mother, who was making up for losing her sister, Qel, before she was drawn into the Jedi training program at 7. Rambuncious.
Veeh'ra - Vanguard. Species: Cyborg.
Severe head trauma caused by crushing damage in a "training incident" (that wasn't her fault), so her entire skull had to be rebuilt. Cyborg tech was used to restore 100% of her motor functions and 75% of the rest of the damage to her brain. This made for a total personality change from the dedicated and good-natured soldier she used to be to a calculating, cold, fearless warrior without a moral compass. She follows her orders completely without regard to right or wrong. She is actually a better fighter than she was before the incident, the cybernetics enhancing her combat skills and abilities. She's blunt and sometimes crude. Her blaster rifle is named Jayne, and it is her most favorite piece of weaponry in the whole universe.
Katliss - Gunslinger. Nickname: Kat. Species: Human.
Having been Untruth's playmate for so long, she's brash, self-involved, cocky, and doesn't care what anyone thinks (with the exception of her brother, and even then, she likes to make him yell "Kat!" when she says something outrageous). She is loyal to her brother to a fault, and right now, he is the only person who can exact any kind of control over her.
Vesatta - Jedi Shadow. Species: Miraluka.
Having been raped while still in the Academy, Vesatta is quiet and shy. She never reported the experience, humiliated and ashamed by it. While she is confident that she is up to any task set before her, she doesn't allow anyone to truly "know" her. The Shadow path allows her to court the darkness without falling into it, but also makes her very vulnerable to the Dark side. Because of what happened, stealthy, mystical powers are much more appealing, keeping with the desire to keep her distance from people. Because of this background, she lacks some inter-personal skills, so she sometimes comes across as apathetic or blunt.
Lullia - Commando. Species: Twi'lek.
Basically a good person, honest, courageous. Soft-spoken, but friendly. Her family was rescued by a Jedi knight from the Empire when she was a child, prompting her to join the military, when she became old enough. She is trained as a field medic and as back-up for special forces ops.
Aittera - Scoundrel. Species: Human.
Former SIS agent. Disillusioned when she lost her partner in an op gone bad. Flying and freedom are now her top priorities and takes smuggling work to make that happen. Still, she has honor, loyalty, and her own sense of morality. She has a weakness for lost causes and dangerous men.
Lei'quii - Jedi Shadow. Nickname: Lei (pronounced "Lee"). Partner: Val'ros. Species: Human.
Former Jedi who was asked to leave when it was discovered that she had developed feelings for a Republic trooper and planned to marry him. Until she left, her belief system was very much in step with the teachings of the Order, though now, she's questioning those teachings and beliefs. In spite of all this, she's still loyal to the Council and the Republic. Has been partners with Val'ros since leaving the academy, where they sort of grew up together.
Tholata - Jedi Sentinel. Species: Cathar
Grew up on an Outer Rim planet where her village was attacked by Mandolorian raiders while she was still a young child, leaving her orphaned and on her own. A few years later, she caught the attention of a visiting Jedi knight, who gained her trust and took her to the Jedi academy. She's incredibly shy in social situations, and very curious.
Kel'ri - Gunslinger. Nickname: Blue. First mate: Harkyn. Species: Human.
Basically a good guy out to make a buck to keep flying. She's the reluctant hero - tends to make a stink about what doing the right thing costs her and her reputation, though she'll most alwys do the right thing in the end. She tends to be a bit cocky and wreckless like any good pilot should be.
Imperial Side
Kiabe'deth - Sith Marauder. Species: Sith Pureblood.
Kiabe is Sith and pureblood from one of the oldest family lines in the Imperial Empire. She is arrogant and cruel, having no interest in anything but her own advancement and crushing anyone who gets in her way. Married to Darth Ragious and has a son by him.
Qel'rend - Sith Sorceror. Nickname: Qel. Species: Zabrak. Zadakiel's apprentice.
Qel is self-confidant, but not arrogant. She spent most of her life as a slave, and she understands her place in the world, even now that she's been freed. She has placed herself into Zadakiel's care, because she believes that she can be as strong as he is one day, and that he will guide her. She has instinctively used pain to create and store power all her life. Because of this, she isn't the typical Sith in that, rage and hate are simply emotions others use to reach the power she so easily can draw into herself by this method. She guards her emotions carefully as a result, seeking true direction from the Dark side to make decisions in combat and social situations. Now that she has chosen a Master, she will not acknowledge anyone he considers beneath himself as having true power over her, unless he commands it. However, she's smart enough to hide her full potential from anyone who might take advantage of it.
Renn'a - Imperial Sniper. Nickname: Renn. Species: Cyborg.
The Empire is the penultimate bastion of power and order in an otherwise chaotic galaxy, so she will serve it with every fiber of her being. She takes her greatest pleasures from killing for the Empire, but will do any duty set forth before her without complaint. Lord Ragious took Renn'a as a 'pet' against her will, but she's since come to accept her position in his household, continuing to work for him and Imperial Intelligence.
Temivi - Sith Assassin. Agonar's apprentice. Species: Twi'lek.
As far as Temivi is concerned, she's earned her right to be free by surviving Sith training. She's outspoken about her opinions and sometimes doesn't know when to keep her mouth shut. She is from an occupied world, and her parents were part of a slave labor force. She irritated the local authorities often by fighting for her community, even joining a rebellious group, and was arrested on minor charges several times. When she was chosen as a potential force weilder, her parents convinced her to go by making her swear to have a better life than they had, and she sends them credits secretly on occassion when she is able.
Riukii - Mercenary. Species: Cyborg.
When she was younger, Riukii joined the crew of the freighter Ridge's Dust and spent her first couple of years in a whirlwind/tempestuous relationship with its captain. When the relationship soured, the captain found his way into an 'incident' with a malfunctioning airlock and Riukii inherited the ship. She has something of a short attention span, avoiding long-term commitments of any kind, seeking to avoid ever letting her guard down again. In spite of this, she's friendly, accessible, and is even a bit of a flirt, eschewing the usual tough guy act that most mercenarys tend to project. Being a merc is just a job that keeps her from having to settle in one place and keeps her out of poverty or from having to depend on anyone. Loves her arsenal and equipment, because she likes the big boy toys.
Farell - Sith Juggernaut. Species: Zabrak.
Arrogant, defiant daughter of Darth Ragious. She's a total daddy's girl and resents her step-mother and step-brother, seeing them as detractors from her father's attention. She's smart, manipulative, and ruthless. She is constantly seeking out Ragious's approval, willing to do anything to get it.
Wa'seandee - Mercenary. Species: Chiss. Partner and husband: Nekama
Before Nekama's appearance in her life, everything was pretty simple - money buys freedom; kill someone before they can have a chance to kill you; be tougher than anyone you meet. Now, however, she's been known to show mercy and has designated herself Nekama's personal bodyguard. She still loves to blow shit up though.
Dels'taron - Sniper. Species: Chiss.
When she was young, there was a rebellious uprising on her homeworld. Imperial Intelligence recruited her to infiltrate this uprising to aid in quelling it. When the Imperial military stepped in to arrest the leaders of the uprising, one of the officers became involved in helping her become an Imperial agent and married her, primarily to have a beautiful young woman on his arm. His life has since come to an end at the hands of a Sith Lord who decided to take Dels for himself. She's adventurous, out-going, and ambitious, though she has a tendency to take unnecessary risks.
Somaesthesia - Assassin. Name: Jocelyn Arren. Species: Human.
When the spirit of a powerful Sith was unbound, it sought a suitable 'vessel' from its decendants' bloodline to occupy permanently, effectively giving herself a chance to live life again. She found a vessel in a force sensitive slave girl who was taken to Korriban. She's devious and calculating, having no true loyalty to anyone but herself and her family.
Azarey - Juggernaut. Species: Cathar.
Azarey was the strongest warrior in her village, having no idea that her speed and strength were natural gifts from the Force. While visiting the city near her home for supplies, she was attacked by a group of Mandolorians who overwhelmed her 5 to one. When she thought defeat was imminent, the Sith apprentice Agonar stepped in to rescue her, and she has sworn her life to serve him and the house of his master. She is loyal, fierce, fearless, and honorable.
Erlanne - Marauder. Species: Sith Pureblood.
Not quite all there, Erlanne sees herself as Vengeance personified. Because of her own paranoia and eratic nature, Erlanne is that quiet kind of crazy for the most part, and people generally dismiss what she says as Pureblood eccentricity.
Telkara - Mercenary. Species: Twi'lek.
Telkara grew up on an embattled world where her parents died fighting for freedom against Imperial forces. Now, she is wanted for connections to rebellious groups and trafficking arms. She hates the Empire, is idealistic and outspoken. She has a natural affinity with tech and a reputation for stealing ships.
Republic Side
Litessen - Jedi Guardian. Nickname: Lita. Species: Mirialan.
Lita's compassionate, articulate, outspoken. She believes in the good in people and that a Jedi's primary function is to protect those who cannot protect themselves, not seeing them as weak, but as part of the Force that she serves. She believes in the ideals of the Republic, if not necessarily the law of it, realizing that a government is necessary for order and peace, but those laws do not take into account singular situations or individuals who may be an exception to the rule. In spite of having excellent diplomatic skills, she has a tendency in her own life to rush into things without taking her own safety into account. She flies with the "Maiden", a starship captained by her husband, Deke'o Starbreaker. She's also become known by her friends as a magnet for stray children who are often runaways and/or in danger.
Tal'rend - Jedi Sentinel. Qorian's padawan. Nickname: Tal. Species: Zabrak.
Tal's a handful. She's smart, strong in the force, and picks up new skills with gifted ease. She's also a bit incorrigible, pulls pranks, and likes to draw attention to herself. She's immature and impatient. A lot of this comes from her being double-babied by her mother, who was making up for losing her sister, Qel, before she was drawn into the Jedi training program at 7. Rambuncious.
Veeh'ra - Vanguard. Species: Cyborg.
Severe head trauma caused by crushing damage in a "training incident" (that wasn't her fault), so her entire skull had to be rebuilt. Cyborg tech was used to restore 100% of her motor functions and 75% of the rest of the damage to her brain. This made for a total personality change from the dedicated and good-natured soldier she used to be to a calculating, cold, fearless warrior without a moral compass. She follows her orders completely without regard to right or wrong. She is actually a better fighter than she was before the incident, the cybernetics enhancing her combat skills and abilities. She's blunt and sometimes crude. Her blaster rifle is named Jayne, and it is her most favorite piece of weaponry in the whole universe.
Katliss - Gunslinger. Nickname: Kat. Species: Human.
Having been Untruth's playmate for so long, she's brash, self-involved, cocky, and doesn't care what anyone thinks (with the exception of her brother, and even then, she likes to make him yell "Kat!" when she says something outrageous). She is loyal to her brother to a fault, and right now, he is the only person who can exact any kind of control over her.
Vesatta - Jedi Shadow. Species: Miraluka.
Having been raped while still in the Academy, Vesatta is quiet and shy. She never reported the experience, humiliated and ashamed by it. While she is confident that she is up to any task set before her, she doesn't allow anyone to truly "know" her. The Shadow path allows her to court the darkness without falling into it, but also makes her very vulnerable to the Dark side. Because of what happened, stealthy, mystical powers are much more appealing, keeping with the desire to keep her distance from people. Because of this background, she lacks some inter-personal skills, so she sometimes comes across as apathetic or blunt.
Lullia - Commando. Species: Twi'lek.
Basically a good person, honest, courageous. Soft-spoken, but friendly. Her family was rescued by a Jedi knight from the Empire when she was a child, prompting her to join the military, when she became old enough. She is trained as a field medic and as back-up for special forces ops.
Aittera - Scoundrel. Species: Human.
Former SIS agent. Disillusioned when she lost her partner in an op gone bad. Flying and freedom are now her top priorities and takes smuggling work to make that happen. Still, she has honor, loyalty, and her own sense of morality. She has a weakness for lost causes and dangerous men.
Lei'quii - Jedi Shadow. Nickname: Lei (pronounced "Lee"). Partner: Val'ros. Species: Human.
Former Jedi who was asked to leave when it was discovered that she had developed feelings for a Republic trooper and planned to marry him. Until she left, her belief system was very much in step with the teachings of the Order, though now, she's questioning those teachings and beliefs. In spite of all this, she's still loyal to the Council and the Republic. Has been partners with Val'ros since leaving the academy, where they sort of grew up together.
Tholata - Jedi Sentinel. Species: Cathar
Grew up on an Outer Rim planet where her village was attacked by Mandolorian raiders while she was still a young child, leaving her orphaned and on her own. A few years later, she caught the attention of a visiting Jedi knight, who gained her trust and took her to the Jedi academy. She's incredibly shy in social situations, and very curious.
Kel'ri - Gunslinger. Nickname: Blue. First mate: Harkyn. Species: Human.
Basically a good guy out to make a buck to keep flying. She's the reluctant hero - tends to make a stink about what doing the right thing costs her and her reputation, though she'll most alwys do the right thing in the end. She tends to be a bit cocky and wreckless like any good pilot should be.
Imperial Side
Kiabe'deth - Sith Marauder. Species: Sith Pureblood.
Kiabe is Sith and pureblood from one of the oldest family lines in the Imperial Empire. She is arrogant and cruel, having no interest in anything but her own advancement and crushing anyone who gets in her way. Married to Darth Ragious and has a son by him.
Qel'rend - Sith Sorceror. Nickname: Qel. Species: Zabrak. Zadakiel's apprentice.
Qel is self-confidant, but not arrogant. She spent most of her life as a slave, and she understands her place in the world, even now that she's been freed. She has placed herself into Zadakiel's care, because she believes that she can be as strong as he is one day, and that he will guide her. She has instinctively used pain to create and store power all her life. Because of this, she isn't the typical Sith in that, rage and hate are simply emotions others use to reach the power she so easily can draw into herself by this method. She guards her emotions carefully as a result, seeking true direction from the Dark side to make decisions in combat and social situations. Now that she has chosen a Master, she will not acknowledge anyone he considers beneath himself as having true power over her, unless he commands it. However, she's smart enough to hide her full potential from anyone who might take advantage of it.
Renn'a - Imperial Sniper. Nickname: Renn. Species: Cyborg.
The Empire is the penultimate bastion of power and order in an otherwise chaotic galaxy, so she will serve it with every fiber of her being. She takes her greatest pleasures from killing for the Empire, but will do any duty set forth before her without complaint. Lord Ragious took Renn'a as a 'pet' against her will, but she's since come to accept her position in his household, continuing to work for him and Imperial Intelligence.
Temivi - Sith Assassin. Agonar's apprentice. Species: Twi'lek.
As far as Temivi is concerned, she's earned her right to be free by surviving Sith training. She's outspoken about her opinions and sometimes doesn't know when to keep her mouth shut. She is from an occupied world, and her parents were part of a slave labor force. She irritated the local authorities often by fighting for her community, even joining a rebellious group, and was arrested on minor charges several times. When she was chosen as a potential force weilder, her parents convinced her to go by making her swear to have a better life than they had, and she sends them credits secretly on occassion when she is able.
Riukii - Mercenary. Species: Cyborg.
When she was younger, Riukii joined the crew of the freighter Ridge's Dust and spent her first couple of years in a whirlwind/tempestuous relationship with its captain. When the relationship soured, the captain found his way into an 'incident' with a malfunctioning airlock and Riukii inherited the ship. She has something of a short attention span, avoiding long-term commitments of any kind, seeking to avoid ever letting her guard down again. In spite of this, she's friendly, accessible, and is even a bit of a flirt, eschewing the usual tough guy act that most mercenarys tend to project. Being a merc is just a job that keeps her from having to settle in one place and keeps her out of poverty or from having to depend on anyone. Loves her arsenal and equipment, because she likes the big boy toys.
Farell - Sith Juggernaut. Species: Zabrak.
Arrogant, defiant daughter of Darth Ragious. She's a total daddy's girl and resents her step-mother and step-brother, seeing them as detractors from her father's attention. She's smart, manipulative, and ruthless. She is constantly seeking out Ragious's approval, willing to do anything to get it.
Wa'seandee - Mercenary. Species: Chiss. Partner and husband: Nekama
Before Nekama's appearance in her life, everything was pretty simple - money buys freedom; kill someone before they can have a chance to kill you; be tougher than anyone you meet. Now, however, she's been known to show mercy and has designated herself Nekama's personal bodyguard. She still loves to blow shit up though.
Dels'taron - Sniper. Species: Chiss.
When she was young, there was a rebellious uprising on her homeworld. Imperial Intelligence recruited her to infiltrate this uprising to aid in quelling it. When the Imperial military stepped in to arrest the leaders of the uprising, one of the officers became involved in helping her become an Imperial agent and married her, primarily to have a beautiful young woman on his arm. His life has since come to an end at the hands of a Sith Lord who decided to take Dels for himself. She's adventurous, out-going, and ambitious, though she has a tendency to take unnecessary risks.
Somaesthesia - Assassin. Name: Jocelyn Arren. Species: Human.
When the spirit of a powerful Sith was unbound, it sought a suitable 'vessel' from its decendants' bloodline to occupy permanently, effectively giving herself a chance to live life again. She found a vessel in a force sensitive slave girl who was taken to Korriban. She's devious and calculating, having no true loyalty to anyone but herself and her family.
Azarey - Juggernaut. Species: Cathar.
Azarey was the strongest warrior in her village, having no idea that her speed and strength were natural gifts from the Force. While visiting the city near her home for supplies, she was attacked by a group of Mandolorians who overwhelmed her 5 to one. When she thought defeat was imminent, the Sith apprentice Agonar stepped in to rescue her, and she has sworn her life to serve him and the house of his master. She is loyal, fierce, fearless, and honorable.
Erlanne - Marauder. Species: Sith Pureblood.
Not quite all there, Erlanne sees herself as Vengeance personified. Because of her own paranoia and eratic nature, Erlanne is that quiet kind of crazy for the most part, and people generally dismiss what she says as Pureblood eccentricity.
Telkara - Mercenary. Species: Twi'lek.
Telkara grew up on an embattled world where her parents died fighting for freedom against Imperial forces. Now, she is wanted for connections to rebellious groups and trafficking arms. She hates the Empire, is idealistic and outspoken. She has a natural affinity with tech and a reputation for stealing ships.
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