Free As A Bird

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori was ready. Her time was up. And fortunately it all went in her favour. A year ago [member="Kaine Australis"] built her Jaster's Sparrow. Not only that, but he paid for her upkeep and crew salary, giving her a full standard year to pay him back. She could have had her parents pay for it, or used some of her inheritence, but no. Lori wanted to earn the credits and do everything properly. So she had gone through crew members and managed to keep a few of them that were loyal to her. With them she had taken up a variety of jobs going from simple cargo delivery, to helping do some drug busts as well as treasure hunting. The last one earned her more than enough to repay her debt.

And now to contact Kaine.

Lori typed up a message on her datapad to send a message through. Whether or not it'd reach him, she didn't know. But she hoped that he'd get it eventually.

Kaine,

It's me! Lori! I hope you're not dead. Anyways, my year is up and I've got the credits that I owe you. I'm not sure if you want me to give it to you in person, or just do some electronic transfer. Either way, I need to know where to send it.

Lori.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori wasn't near Commenori space. That was SJO territory now. Instead she was still on Lujo, having gone there for more trinkets and to enjoy a bit of a breather from everything. It was neutral territory.

The message from [member="Kaine Australis"] was well received. She had always admired the man. He took the brunt of some of her pranks during their first encounters. And he never got mad at her for them. Instead he took it in stride. They sparred together and he never held back for the sake of her age. And he gave her her first sip of alcohol!

Lori sent off the co-ordinates for where she was parked on Lujo and a quick message.

Great! I'm out in a field. There's plenty of room to land. See you soon!

Lori.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

The sensors on Jaster's Sparrow picked up on the Fury-X before it came into view. With the loading ramp down, Lori could hear the beeping. She was relaxing on a chair in the shade that her ship created, her feet propped up on a crate.

Seconds later the fighter touched down. Lori grinned and then got to her feet. She walked on over in a bit of a saunter. Of course she really wanted to run to [member="Kaine Australis"] , but figured this approach was more appropriate.

"It's a nice little planet, isn't it? No worries, no troubles, and one can see their enemies approaching from nearly every angle." Lori also liked the quiet. Here she could be herself and try to work things through. There were just too many paths that she wanted to walk on in life. And every one of them had their pitfalls. At first things seem to be fitting in right, but then it all changes.

As Lori got close to Kaine, she pulled out the credit chip from her pocket and held it out to him. "Before I forget. It's all here. There's even some extra. I managed to score a gig that paid really well."

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori grinned as [member="Kaine Australis"] picked her up for a hug. She wrapped her arms tightly around him. She was used to him being in his armour, so she knew just how to hug him right without getting pinched by it. Her eyes kept closed while they embraced.

Once he set her down she opened her eyes and stood with her shoulders back, a warm feeling of pride enveloped her as he approved of her results.

"I'll tell you all about them. Let's go sit in the shade. Do you want a drink? I've got some liquor in the cargo hold."

There was so much for her to tell him. And there was much advice that he could give her. She looked up to him, a lot. He had helped her through tough situations. There was going to be more of that ahead. So it was best to get that all over with now while she had his ear.

If he wanted a drink she'd fetch him one, otherwise she'd sit in one of two chairs that she had in the shade. "Most of my jobs were of stealing drugs from some criminal gangs for disposal. And this one time I snuck onto a Destroyer and stole a holocron with my crew. That one paid the most. I also had my heart broken for the first time...But not too much, really. I didn't give myself to him or anything. I don't think my Dad liked him either. He was older than me and I made him part of my crew. But that's overwith though. I don't need anybody to get close to me. I worked fine on my own before." In truth she was bummed out about it more than she liked to let on. Her crew had been on leave for a couple of weeks now while she fixed herself.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori didn't sit up all proper. No, she was fully relaxed. So she sat in the chair all slouched and layed back with her legs straight and crossed at the ankles. She had a drink of her own nestled inbetween her hands that she rested on her belly.

"I'm doing alright, I guess." She shrugged her shoulders a little. More or less that was true. She was holding up okay. Probably a lot better than some would in her situation.

As [member="Kaine Australis"] gave a toast to her and her ship, Lori raised her drink too and took a gulp after he did.

And then he asked about the holocron heist. She grinned, leaning her head back against the chair. "My crew and I were summoned to the outer rim. There we were brought onto a Destroyer that accompanied a fleet. Turns out that I was given command of the fleet by a former Sith Lord that we found months ago. This was hus thanks; to send us on a treasure hunt. We needed to find a ship that came and went like a ghost. Plans were set to lure it out, then we parked the Sparrow at a spot where the sensors didn't cover. We snuck on board through an emergency escape panel and searched for the Captain's quarters. I was the only one among my crew that had seen a holocron before, so of course I was the one to go look for it. It took some time, but I managed, and there must have been some kind of alarms or something for we were chased down. But luck came to the rescue! We got out of there and used a series of hyperspace jumps that backtracked on itself at times to loose them. My crew and I got paid 20 million credits for it. EACH. Pretty neat, huh?" And that's where her crew were now presently, each spending some of their riches. Lori had purchased a couple of droids to help her fly the Jaster Sparrow when her crew weren't around. She couldn't fly it on her own.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori smiled. She still had a bunch of credits leftover, but hadn't slurged on anything yet. She still had to look after her ship. Maybe she'd buy a couple of droids in case her crew decided to leave her. Yeah. That could work. "I might be in the market for a couple of droids to help me with the ship when I'm on my own. Know of any trustworthy ones?" She didn't know any of course. Not ones for sale anyways.

She smiled as [member="Kaine Australis"] seemed mighty pleased with her. And she needed that praise. It made her feel good instead of just being goofball Lori. "Thanks. You've done well for yourself too."

As he asked about the drink, Lori was quick to answer. "Commenori Brandy. I like to keep some of home with me. But I don't really fit in there anymore. I spend time with my Dad on Kashyyyk when I can. But I don't quite feel as though I fit in much there either.
I don't really know where I belong or what I'm supposed to do yet. But I'll figure it out some day." Lori wondered if her twin brother was also stumbling around the Galaxy like she was. Living under the shadows of their parents was tough.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

"I've got a crate you can have. That'll last you a bit." All depended on how much [member="Kaine Australis"] liked to drink it at a time though. She saw his gesture for a refill. Lori just laughed a little as she shook her head a bit and got to her feet, taking the glass in hand.

"You get me a droid, I'll get you a bigger glass." Within seconds she left him and headed up the ramp. It only took a minute or two before she returned with a wide bottle, as well as the glass. She poured some into it and then handed him the rest of the bottle while she kept the glass for herself.

Lori lifted the glass in a salut and then had a sip. "Yeah? You know of a good crew member for me? The others are busy with their riches. I guess that I should have expected it." They all had their own lives, which was fine.

"Have you heard anything lately about my mom?"

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori snickered at the idea of [member="Kaine Australis"] sharing his booze. Hopefully it'll be at a good party or gathering.

She listened intently as he spoke of her mom. The last that Lori knew, her mom was in jail. Now she was out and set to rule a new world? How did that happen?

"An Empress? Does that mean that I'm royalty again? Did she marry someone else to get it? I don't think that Dad's gonna like that. After you check it out...can you let me know if it's okay for me to go there too?" No one just decides to be an Empress. There had to be something more to it than that. Did she kill people for that position too? Like she did on Commenor?

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori got up and carefully gave [member="Kaine Australis"] a hug so that she didn't spill his drink at all. Especially after he said he'd look after her mom.

"Thank you. Thank you so much!"

As for her Dad not being the Emperor tyoe, she snickered. "I think my Dad would probably only go all Emperor-like if my Mom did marry someone else. He'd go all Emperor Palpatine!" She laughed as she retook her seat.

"Now...what about the robot you're getting me?"

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori 's eyebrows raised as [member="Kaine Australis"] started laughing and nearly choked on his drink. As he described Arla, she listened very carefully. An assassin droid that didn't appear to be a droid at all. That sounded so.....wicked!!

She crossed her heart and nodded as he let her know that just the knowledge of such a droid was to be kept secret. Oh it was awesome! Here she was, Lori the Goofball, the Holder of Secrets, one of a select few to guard a secret program from the rest of the Galaxy! So, so utterly wicked!

"I won't tell. I promise! What's she like? How old is she supposed to be? What sorts of classes of ships does she know to pilot and maintain? How long do I have her for?" Oh an ocean of questions began to pour out of her as she got really excited.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

About twenty. So she was a little older than Lori, but that was okay! She could pretend that they were schoolmates! Or ran into eachother at some spaceport. Yeah, something like that. And the fact that she could learn things superfast was pretty awesome. No doubt she was linked through the holonet as well.

"Can I send you messages through her? I'm sure that she communicates with you directly somehow, right?" That could be advantageous, especially if they were boarded or attacked. [member="Kaine Australis"] would find out very quickly of who and what was causing them trouble. Even their exact location!

Lori grinned as Arla arrived. She watched her walk, taking note of the way she moved. Just perfect! Like a human! As Kaine stood up, so did she. And as Arla greeted them, Lora placed her hand in hers and gave it a firm yet hearty shake. "Nice to mert you too! You can just call me Lori when others aren't around. Or Captain Lori. I don't quite give out my surname so much. It could make me a target." Her parents had enemies, most especially her Mom. So she liked to be careful.

Again she looked to Kaine to repeat her question. "How long do I have her for?"

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori just grinned as Arla held her gaze. She LOVED her attitude when it came to [member="Kaine Australis"] . Oh they were going to get along super well!

A part of her wanted to test that theory though, that Arla would listen to her above Kaine. She contemplated having Arla tickle Kaine as the new crewmember asked for tasks to be completed. Sure it wasn't a real task, but it'd be HILARIOUS!!

But Lori decided against it. Maybe she was getting more grown up. Or maybe she just didn't want Kaine to change his mind. He had done a lot of good for her and she didn't want him to regret that.

"Nothing as of yet, Arla. My only task for the day was to pay off my debt. I don't have any other work lined up at the moment. Though if you want to get yourself acquainted with Jaster's Sparrow, you can." She then looked to Kaine, speaking to Arla to continue her statement. "As soon as it's safe to see my Mom, we'll be going there to visit." Kaine was going to let her know when that time was. There was so many rumours flying around about her Mom, and she knew that Kaine would tell her the truth of what was happening. He wasn't the type to hold back. Thankfully.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Captain it is then. Arla seemed very adament about that. Oh well. That could change over time. Or maybe she was just calling her that because [member="Kaine Australis"] was around and he wasn't a part of her crew. However she'd gladly have him if ever he wanted it.

Lori smirked as he said he couldn't promise to bring her good news. "Is there ever any good news when my Mom is involved?" She followed that remark with a snicker.

But then the subject changed to her brother and Dad. Of course she knew that her Dad was with the Silvers, but she didn't know that about Caedyn. She figured her brother was off with another Jedi Order, especially as he didn't like their Dad.

Lori's shoulders visibly slumped. "I know what war can do. And I understand. My Dad has me taking some of his classes on Kashyyk, so that I can get some Force training and lightsaber training. I didn't really have that sort of training when I was with Jaster." She dealt with hand to hand combat, engineering, piloting and other things with her Mando training."But if I got called into battle and we were on opposite sides, I wouldn't fire on you or any of my Mandalorian family. Even if it means that I'll be captured. I'll defend myself, surely, but I won't initiate it. I would find someone else to target instead." And she meant it. She'd respect their place and position instead of retaliating against it.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori was used to getting her own way. Sure she conceded to others every now and again, but that was always her choice to make. She was stubborn and people tended to learn that straight away.

Her brows furrowed as she listened to [member="Kaine Australis"] as he tried to explain to her of a scenario that she didn't want to imagine could happen. But knowing her Dad and his growing disdain for the Mandalorians, deep down she knew that the odds were very likely tipping towards Kaine and her Dad meeting on the battlefield.

And he wouldn't hesitate to shoot. Even if it was her there. Such a fact hit her hard. So much so that tears brimmed her eyes. Here he was, a member of her family, someone that she looked up to and sought advice from, the type of man that she wanted to marry some day; had just told her flat out that he would do what he had to in war. There was to be no favourtism.

Lori took in a deep breath and let it out slowly as she reached over and placed her hand on top of is. "If it ever comes down to it, then promise me you'll make it quick. And if it's me you shoot, don't leave me behind....I don't want to die alone..." She hadn't thought of her own mortality much, or even of dying at all. But now she had to. And it was....scary.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori set down her drink and got to her feet quickly, moving herself into [member="Kaine Australis"] ' arms in a tight hug. Her tears fell all the more as relief flooded through her. He want to shoot her, he didn't plan on doing so ever. That was a relief! She had already promised not to shoot at him either, even if they found themselves on opposite sides of the same battlefield. She just couldn't bear to do so.

"War does suck. But we'll always have it. At least for our families. I don't know if we'd ever know what to do with ourselves otherwise. We'd probably get bored."

Now that she felt better, she let him go, but didn't move to retake her seat just yet. Instead she just looked up at her mentor. "I should let you go. I'm sure that the rest of the family misses you. And I've gotta get myself acquainted with my newest crew member. I'll keep in touch, as always though."

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori gave [member="Kaine Australis"] a warm smile, followed by a small chuckle. "I don't think that anyone will stop worrying about my Mom. She's more of a troublemaker than I am!" Of course her kind of trouble was just in pranks. While her Mom was gifted in bringing bad people to her.

She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly as Kaine was ready to leave. She nodded as he told her to stay safe. "I will. Try not to drink all of the brandy in one go, and stay alive!" It was always tough to watch family go. Now she was on her own again. But then again, Lori was sorta used to that.