Common Ground

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt]“Hmm?” turning back towards Trextan. Her thumb deactivated the saber and its violet light disappeared. With a short raise of her hand she returned the hilt over to Trextan.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Fast.” she replied, thoughts going inward again. “Very fast. You can lose yourself up there.” a deep breath and the girl once again sank into the pilot chair. A bootie covered toe struck the ground and swiveled her back towards the piloting console. They has about eight minutes left.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Makes you feel free.” another contemplative expression grew over her face. Her starfighter was likely nothing but salvage on Kaeshana, wherever it crashed. And if the Alliance lost that battle… [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]well, guess I’m without a ship.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]A brief look at her periphery and she added in an attempt to bring back the humor,”Anymore information and I’ll have to kill you, you know.”[/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

He grinned. “You fly better than you walk at the moment anyway, so I imagine it does feel freeing.”

He went to clip his lightsaber to his belt and realised he was wearing scrubs. In his bag were the same combat trousers he'd arrived at the hospital in, scorch marks and all. He kneeled down in the tight space that was the corridor behind the cockpit. He put his saber back in his back and pulled them free, giving them a shake.

“So where did you train? With a saber not a Starfighter. Assuming that's not another 'kill me if i know too much’ deal.”

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli managed a spare glance over her shoulder as the teenager got up off his chair again. She caught him brushing his hair away from his face, likely an unconscious tick, moving over towards his bag. Needless to say, when he pulled out his pants, the girl quipped, “[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Now[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] who’s trying to get out of their pants?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Humor flew in her eyes as she swung her head back forward, a smug grin growing. As for his question, “Nah, that would require me to do something far more painful.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Tell my life story.” dramatic sigh. With a shake of her head and a half shrug, she added the following, “I had a master prior to joining the starfighter corps.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Spent some time aboard a ship. Her Captain also knew about the Force… granted, her way wasn’t like the Jedi. She just picked things up from all over the ‘verse.” from one side of the galaxy to the next. Chloe knew about the Je’daai, the Gree and the Columni. About Dathomir Witches, Kwa and the Kwi and the Celestials. She had the writings of Odan-Urr, the Aing-Tii, Sar Agorn and Arca Jeth. The Aurora Hawk had been a collection of ancient archives and star maps from old navigation guilds. All fringe force organizations, all with their interesting ways and odd traditions.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Nothing like the strict code of the Jedi.[/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

“I suppose we don't have time for that, no. And you probably don't want any more of mine either. Certainly not in ten minutes or so. Eyes front.”

He slipped off the loose coral pants and started getting back into his trousers. He'd still have to turn up in a pink v-neck though.

“I suppose i was given a fairly dichromatic view on the Force so sorry i asked if you were Jedi. Sith to rule the Galaxy, Jedi to be destroyed, kill Jacen to ascend to take your place with the One Sith.”

The world had been a very simple place for Trextan the. His anger didn't float around searching for anything to latch onto. It had been given a home and he had accepted his purpose.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt]Okay, so there was apparently more to that pot than I had originally thought. Good thing her eyes were to the front; not that it made any difference with her sudden --[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]do[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] realize the glasteel is reflective right?” It wasn’t, not with the glow of hyperspace shining its light through, but Choli managed to say it so casually that one might even believe that the glasteel was reflecting Trextan’s bare ass mid pant change.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli didn’t bother to get the satisfaction of Trextan’s expression and merely went leaning forward to observe their speed and distance from their objective.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Then Trextan made a quip that was so fast, that for a second she wasn’t sure if he’d been serious. It was the flat tone that sold it. One Sith? Angry, broody, teenager. Daddy issues and well, the way the pair had reacted. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Okayy[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]...[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli wasn’t sure exactly how to process it. Ironic considering she had also [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]just[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] mentioned that there was no time for a life story. The One Sith had been the big bad that she’d fought against the first half of her run with the starfighter corps. While she certainly never really took boots to the ground so to speak, she did remember how it had ended on Contruuum just passing through. She’d met the three time champion Kurt Meyer there.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]So, with an equally awkward sized bantha in the room - his father and the One Sith story - Choli went with, well the most obvious.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]His father. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Ah, I guess that would explain it.” her fingers gave a light rap against the arm rest.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Your [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]thing[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt].” her finger gestured in a slight circle. A second later, Choli swiveled her head, unmindful of his state of dress. Her expression was contemplative as she studied him, those almond shaped eyes curiously swirling in a copper glow. stilll[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Well, do you believe that?” nothing like getting asked point blank.[/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

He was shimmying his pants up and over his hips when she turned around and was glad that he had kept his underwear. He'd already been frantically bobbing to check if she had a view of anything in the forward mirror.

“I believe I've been fed a lot of bantha fodder by a lot of people over the years with agendas. Nothing is ever as simple as it seems.”

Her serious tone stopped him from making a comment about peeking early. Especially as he wasn't quite as comfortable with the notion of changing publicly as the Rogue pilot.

“I did though,” he said with a shrug and a smile and he stepped up and took his seat again. His lightsaber hung from a clip on his belt now. They'd come out on the task force soon.

“To the point i gave it a good go,” he said, grinning now. “Wily old bastard is harder to hill than he looks and I got shot in the chest point blank. Good way to be calmed down i suppose.”

He chuckled. On his head he imagined Cho marching out of that hospital despite being caught by stun blasts, stubbornly dragging her IV behind her.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli percolated over what Trextan said, noting that he wasn’t being dour or bitter about the outcome. He was grinning, blue eyes bright, almost… reminiscing? Well, seemed there wasn’t an issue there after all? It was hard to determine for Choli, she wasn’t a Lorrdian who could read body language nor was she skilled in interrogations. While growing up on Tatooine subjected her to thinking on her feet and quick fibs to survive, being misleading about something of that nature wasn’t a consideration. It just was.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]So…[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] “ She began carefully, thoughtfully, as if trying to work it all out. The pink tip of her tongue went darting out, moistening her lips. A bruised finger rose, moving with emphasis as she spoke.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Then where does that leave you?” Choli was trying to understand. Why would one need to kill their father? How did that even add up to whatever pile of poodoo the One Sith Fed him. It didn’t make sense.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I mean.. “ a probing shrug with a nod of her head as if to suggest, ‘so why not?’ “ If it wasn’t for the shot in the chest -- which i guess was to incapacitate you -- what stops you from continuing?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Talk about going into a serious probing question not five minutes before reversion into Real Space.[/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

The question gave Trextan pause. It forced him to stop skimming over the surface of events, just filling the space with words. No bravado and trying to smile at Choli now. To think about the whys and hows made him scratch beneath the surface. His right fingers twitched slightly. The smile evaporated.

“I hadn’t seen him in nearly ten years,” he said. His voice dropped to only a little above a whisper. His expression shifted several times as he tried to attach words to the confused mess that was how he felt about Jacen. “I genuinely blamed him for...well everything I think. It made things easier. When I woke up I found myself restrained in an Alliance bed with a man much older than I remembered. I don’t know if the war aged him or my memories had failed me over time. Some of both I think.”

Trextan thought back. Nothing was really that clear to him still. Emotion clouded everything. As soon as he tried to make any sense of it all the brush went to a pallette of the strongest feelings he had and started colouring in, ignoring the lines, to obscuring the truth.

He fell silent, the line of his jaw tensing. He looked up at Choli with a piercing blue gaze. “There was this softly spoken man who looked...sad. Deeply sad. He just sat there and answered my questions.

“He let me have a go,” he said with a nod. “He actually did. I spent hours throwing everything I had at him, with saber and words. Nothing stuck. And then when I was done he just…”

His right hand snapped shut. Trextan shook his head, fronds of dark hair swaying across his face. He couldn’t repeat that out loud. Or even start on the fact that he’d crawled through the mud like an infant towards Jacen’s voice on his first outing with the Jedi. Or even that he had slowly remembered the joy and anticipation of Jacen returning home when he was young. There had always been something for him in his bag, but he had always politely thanked him and ignored it for the first few hours. Just glad to have that hole in his life filled again.

“I’m sorry, I’ve had a difficult day and I’m all over the place.” And full of hormones. “I think he tries to do what is right.” He nodded firmly. “Yes, he tries to do the right thing.”

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]


[SIZE=9pt]“It’s fine,”. Choli replied, gesturing with a small wave of her hand to assure him of the fact. With a push of her toe, the pilot straightened her chair and settled in comfortably for the approaching revision. They were all of a couple of minutes out. Reality would warp in much like the T-1 would blink into real space.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Truth be told, Choli didn’t quite understand it all. Not what was going on between Trextan and his father, what happened with the One Sith and what may come after. However, it was evident that the earlier smiles and grins were hiding far more than the teenager was willing to admit. Well, not really, I guess what he said so far was plenty.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You aren’t the only one who had a heck of a wake-up call.” She added wryly, shifting the conversation to a more lighter tone.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“And I am sure you are right. About him trying to do the right thing.” Her fingers went curling round the yoke again, but not before those hazel eyes went panning back over to Trextan. The past thirty or so minutes and the series of events that led them here from the medical center ran through her mind. A simple determination bloomed.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I think you do too.” A beep in alert of the pair approaching their destination caught her attention then.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Here we go.”[/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

At her last words his right hand slowly unclenched. Do I? He thought to himself. He contemplated that in near silence as the small task force of GR-90s and other small vessels grew ahead of them.

What did she base that assertion on? He’d broken her from a hospital with unknown injuries and helped her steal a shuttle. He decided that yes, it was true. When she had started yanking at tubes he’d moved to help without hesitation. He had felt it was the right thing to do. The problem was it seemed someone could easily misguide him on what the right thing to do was.

Trextan sat back in his chair as Choli spoke with clear GADF protocol to get them down on in a hangar. She looked determined now. As they touched down and he went for his back he almost didn’t think to say what he asked as he stepped out of the shuttle.

“Stay in touch yeah? I mean, I don’t know which direction I’m going in now. I’ve got an address on the GADF messagenet.”

“Oh that colour suits him!” came a call from below. Trextan turned to regard the hangar floor. Troops were being moved around on repulsor sleds in squads, there was an air of urgency. Before them were a haphazard looking group of soldiers. All of them had optical sensors and goggles instead of eyes. The Scarred. Apparently they could see coral pink at least.

“I heard the arm was malfunctioning, nearly tugged it clean off!”

“Oh very tedious,” Trextan replied. He’d already managed to get himself worked up and now he was getting embarrassed in front of Choli by the veterans.

“That’s what he said after an hour of trying with his left!” That was Corporal Jenson, a junior female soldier in the crew.

A ripple of laughter died out and Sergeant Raun pointedly ignored Trextan and saluted Choli. “Lieutenant Commander, question from Wing Commander Fillis: can you fly a U-Wing?”

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]


[SIZE=9pt]There wasn't time to answer Trextan’s inquiry. Not with the sort of banter Choli was a bit more used to came drifting past. Even clothed in nothing but coral pink medical scrubs, the seventeen year old still commanded a measure of presence of similar rank. Well, if one could ignore the fact she was cold.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Sergeant.” Choli began with a far more easy going nod and hand to shake. Starfighter Corps were always less stringent in keeping up with pomp and circumstance.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Reckon I can do right by a U-Wing.” She admitted, tossing in,”That is if you can offer up a trade? How about a fresh flightsuit and some boots? Then you can have me along for whatever sort of ride you want.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=9pt]The Lieutenant Commander took in the sense of urgency within the atmosphere of the hanger, familiarity filling up her bones. She was far more in her element here. Off to the side, Choli heard the banter continue between the soldiers and Trextan.[/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

“Of course ma'am, if you head through exit B over on that side you'll find the flight officers prep room,” the sergeant said. “Fillis said to remind you that technically as you haven't completed return to duty protocols that your copilot is technically in charge and that you'll be dropping troops and nothing more. He also says that if you leave the men without air fire support he'll be exceedingly displeased.”

The blinded veteran gave a shrug, “take that as you will ma'am,” he said apologetically. “Blue 2 over there,” he said before bowing out.

When Choli returned the engines would already be warming up with a low rumble. Several shuttles were already taking off.

In the hold was a squad of eight soldiers. Eight soldiers and Trextan. His coral scrubs had been swapped for a combat jacket and a holstered blaster on his hip. He would offer a offer smile, covering how concerned he suddenly was about his issues - and they were his issues - with his arm compromising the mission. They were heading to a small settlement called Chirella. The locals were trying to leave but they were right in the path of the expanding Yuuzhan Vong horde.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt]A half scowl formed over Choli’s face as the sergeant departed. What was that supposed to mean? Few would see the pilot’s frown deepen and fewer still hear her say, “Yeah, what do you figure I was doing the times I’ve been shot down?” Annoyance colored her expression, but it wasn’t worth getting into it. She’d gone off in the direction to change over before anyone could stop her.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Lieutenant Commander.” One of the flight crew extended a well worn helmet at her direction. Reminded her that her own along with her fighter was still at Kaeshana; or somewhere.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Thanks.” She added, giving a slight nod. Her hazel green eyes went drifting up, looking past the U-Wing and to her crew and passengers alike. Surprise came at seeing Trextan, the girl moving so slip the pilot helmet over her head.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]His smile would be returned with one of her own and a half nod. Bruised fingers moved rapidly, securing her helmet, the tinted goggles resting up high over the crown. Gone were the lobster pink medical scrubs and in their place were a clean, but worn blue grey flight suit. Someone spared her a pair of PT shorts and a white tank top that she could wear underneath. The boots were a little big, but nothing too serious.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]When her helmet’s comm system was set, her voice went crackling into the passenger cabin of the U-Wing.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Hope folk don’t mind if things get a little bumpy.” She joked, moving on into the cabin from extended troop ramp. The hum of the engines would make it difficult to hear, but not impossible.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I can get a little excited rather easily.” amidst a titter of chuckles. [/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

“No big Voidstalker this time lad,” Jenson said. “So don't go running off after anyone this time?” She had been with the Hounds, underneath her goggles she still had real eyes.

“Reckon sometimes a Jedi goes where they're supposed to be,” Raun said.

“Aye,” came a call from those who had been held captive on Kaeshana. Trextan had run off foolishly because a sith had challenged him, but he had also wandered into no man's land at the behest of the Force and rescued the scarred. He didn't realise they would follow him to the ends of the Galaxy now of he asked them.

The first comment troubled him. As the shuttle bobbed in the atmosphere he placed his hand against the hilt of his lightsaber. His fingers flexed involuntarily. People were about to rely on him and he couldn't trust his arm - no she was right - he couldn't trust himself. Without pause he moved his saber to the left side of his belt and swore to himself.

“Soon as we get down we have a look at the western edge of the town. The horde is only a few minutes out. The civilians are trying to leave by speeder and air shuttle through the eastern side.” The sergeant ordered. Trextan looked around. Eight men here, another eight on a second U-Wing. There was a sullustan in a naval uniform sat beside the heavy repeater ready to provide air support. It didn't seem like a lot of people to hold a town of thousands.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt]While Choli was not used to flying with a co-pilot beside her, she could do well enough. Granted, the sort of ships she flew co-pilot on were freighters, not small U-Wings. Being in the Alliance meant that one had to familiarize themselves with a variety of controls across a different spectrum of ships; it might take her a little bit to pick back up, but she could do just fine once they were airborne. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Inbetween changing, Choli had received a very brief Sit-Rep on Skor. Yuuzhang Vong and Graush. Neither of which the Rogue had ever really come across with. This was going to be brand spanking new. She’d heard tales none the less; from Chloe and from others in the Alliance who had fought them in the early years of the One Sith and Republic war.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Situated in her seat, Choli gave a curtousy dip of her head to the pilot who was, well, supposed to be in charge of the event. Something, something, about a Return to Service Chit. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]That made Choli’s nose scrunch up in mild distaste.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][ Alright, buckle up boys.] the flip of overhead toggles and then the increasing whine of engines spoke of lift off. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][ Don’t need any of you falling off. ]. She quipped, turning on the hydraulic ramp so that it would shut behind them.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=9pt][ Next stop, dirtside Skor.][/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Trextan knew it was unhealthy to spend the next few minutes inside his own head. It didn't stop it from happening. He'd been on a shuttle much like this just a few hours ago when he'd crushed a powerpack with his and and been lucky not to do himself serious harm.

He turned his arm around and looked at the screen ok the inside of his arm. It had locked into the comm in his ear and the GADF battlenet. Trextan tried to distract himself by looking at the map of the western edge of Chirella.

It almost felt like a staring contest with his own arm. Trying to bury the his frustration he closed his eyes And focussed on the Force. More frustration, but not his own. The timbre was distinctly Choli’s.

As they hit the atmosphere the sullustan pulled open the side door and took up his repeater. Trextan stood suddenly and walked up the centre of the U-Wing to come up behind the pilots.

“No lakes, so at least we won't find a damp squib,” someone laughed. There was a groan.

Trextan looked through the forward viewport as they descended towards the western edge of the settlement. It was spread out on a grassy plain, hard to defend. He could see the blue furred locals gathering to enter transports to evacuate. Even the adults were looked as children, but he could see babes being carried by terrified residents. The horde was coming. He could feel the fear through the Force and instinctively built barriers against it. He set his jaw and placed a hand on the back of Choli's chair.

“We have the buy them time,” he said. There was a determination in his voice she wouldn't have heard before. Without even noticing his took up his saber in his right hand without any issue.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt]“I can do that in the air.” Choli assured him. Within seconds, there was a billowing cloud of dust and grime as the U-Wing descended onto the ground. Landing struts hit the deck, and a flip of a toggle allowed the unlock of the side door.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The Rogue pilot glanced over her shoulder, the yellow tinted visor peering up at him.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Go!” she told him, yelling over the hum of the engines. “I got your ass covered in the air.” a half joke but one that she genuinely meant.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]This was what she knew - had known - for some time. One adrenaline rush to the next. Can’t stop to think or feel, just react. She caught Trextan’s gaze and she gave him a ghost of a smile.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“May the Force be with you.”[/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

“Right.” He smiled and turned away. Against the sound of the U-Wing he wouldn’t have even heard his squad without the comm-unit in his ear. He dropped down to the deck as the squad moved out, carbines head with the muzzles low.

“Clear!” He pounded on the hull twice with his prosthetic hand twice and moved out with the group. From here they had a good view of the settlement from the direction the horde would approach. Trextan could see the tallest buildings in the capital city. Those thin spires were spikes in an organic field of rising tendrils of smoke.

Raun started giving orders. “Team One in that building. You’ll cover our fall back to the second position if they break the line. Team Two and Three take up positions there and there to ensure they can’t hold that rise. I want that mortar set up. Denel I want you up there with Jenson sharpshooting. Look for any Yuuzhan Vong or Herders pushing the chazrach on.”

Trextan followed in his wake as they pushed into the settlement. The civilians had already fled this edge of the town, but there were plenty of signs of their recent habitation. Holonet screens were still on, belongings made trails across the floor from building doors into the street.

“You ever fight the Vong Trextan?” he asked quietly.

“No.”

“Well, they’ll see you as a challenge. The Chazrach get up close so I want you with Team Two ready to hold them off at the door. If you see Yuuzhan Vong coming for you call it in and we’ll try and hit them with heavy fire. Until they get close open a point to point link with Air Support and liaise.” With that done he moved off to continue giving orders over the comms. Trextan was left in the doorway of a tall house near the road to the main city. Three Scarred were two floors up, setting up firing positions. The Horde was coming.

“Cho, can you see them coming yet?” he called.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt]It didn’t take long for Choli and the lead pilot to take to the skies. They weren’t alone, there were other U-Wings also dropping off troops to help secure the edge of the Bazaar. Up in the air, Choli swept her eyes from port to starboard. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“What exactly are we supposed to be looking for?” Choli had dealt with TIE’s, Interceptors, and a whole plethora of One Sith and First Order starfighters. Yuuzhang Vong? Nothing. It was honestly more of a spacer story to her than anything else. However, the stories she heard made her aware that it wasn’t an enemy to underestimate.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Trust me, you’ll know it when you see it.” came the reply, prompting a roll of Choli’s eyes. Another shake of her head and she swung her attention right. Just far off in the distance, at about a few klicks out, she caught movement.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan’s voice filled her ear.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][ Looks like you got some movement coming in…] she ratted out the coordinates to Trextan, her voice chirping into his ear.[/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Trextan repeated back the coordinates and then waited for a pause in the squad chatter before relaying them.

“I can see some of them now. Thrall Herders at the rear, I can’t see many Warriors,” called their sharpshooter.

“They’re ahead of schedule,” Raun grunted. “That’s too far north, Trex?”

“Choli: do you think you can drive them south? We need to funnel them in.” Trextan asked as the squad kept discussing tactics.

He wasn’t afraid, not of himself and not of the enemy. There was no option; they had to hold. Yet he was tentative about fighting such a foe. Not being able to even sense them in the Force was a disconcerting prospect.

“You ever fight these things before?” he asked Choli in a break in radio traffic.