Private Holding Out for a Hero

[Katarine Ryiah]

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Location: Space
Objective: They See Me Rollin
Tags: Zane Cameron

<They're jealous because I have you flying with me.>

She felt her cheeks flush again but wasn't sure if he was saying what she thought he was saying. She had to keep reminding herself that he might simply be being nice, or maybe he flirted with everybody, or maybe the flyboys were the flirt with everything that moves types. She had to be careful. She couldn't let what happened last time happen again. That had almost ruined her.

Still it was hard to not let her heart leap into her chest when he suggested more flying lessons. That was because she was nervous right? Right???

<I'm sure we could find things to do with our feet planted firmly and safely on the ground> She let out a nervous laugh but let her deep green eyes wander over the view.

<It's a lot prettier though, in a small craft like this. I've never even been in a starfighter before.>

​

 

[Zane Cameron]

Zane hummed and seemed amused. Teaching Katarine how to fly was likely not going to happen. It wasn't her thing and there was no point trying to force it on her either. If anything, he had a reason now to work together more often.

Jedi needed pilots to get around for their assignments, right? Today's mission was essentially an example of that. Maybe he could convince her to call for his assistance even after their little joint assignment.

<Something to do on solid ground? I have a few ideas,> he teased just to get a rise out of her. <If we make it back and don't crash into an asteroid, we start with some coffee?> He was half-joking because she had been worries about crashing them, but he was serious, too.

Am I asking her on a date? Only a coffee date, sure, but it still counted as one.

Zane cleared his throat to focus again and opened up their comms, <Ready for your first hyperspace jump in a fighter, then?>

Katarine Ryiah ​

 

[Katarine Ryiah]

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Location: Space
Objective: Jump
Tags: Zane Cameron


Did he just ask her out? Katarine felt her pulse quicken but tried to breath and calm it down. She needed to focus. It wasn't all that long ago that she had a crush blow up in her face, and of course she'd never forget her disaster dating life before the big freeze that brought her into this timeline. Still, she couldn't help but glance at his shoulders and what little of his neck she could see under the helmet. She blinked and took another deep breath. She could just imagine giving the after report to the council with Valery sitting there smirking the whole time. She groaned inwardly.

<If we don't get smashed by an asteroid I might take you up on that.> She laughed nervously, hopping he was kidding. He seemed confident enough that his team could handle the asteroids but just the thought made Katarines stomach churn.

<Ready for your first hyperspace jump in a fighter, then?>

<Not even a little bit.>. She laughed and braced herself, then remembered something.

<Wait! I'm not controlling the ship anymore am I?> She sounded worried. He was gonna think she was a total loser and not at all a confident badass Jedi. She groaned inwardly again.

​

 

[Zane Cameron]

<I'll have to make sure we don't get smashed, then.>

He had no desire to die young, but now he had another reason to live. If she decided to take him up on his offer, anyway. He swallowed nervously at the thought, and wondered if he should ask again or be more direct. Ultimately, he couldn't muster the attitude to boldly ask a Jedi Master out on a date after just meeting her.

Maybe once this mission was over, he'd find the courage.

<I'll be controlling the ship from now, so don't worry. Just sit back and enjoy the view. It's a good one, I promise.> Even though she likely couldn't see it, Zane flashed quite a grin before he pulled the lever and made the jump. He knew this wasn't her first time entering hyperspace, but the cockpit of a fighter somehow made it feel different.

It brought you closer to the action!

<So, what do you think, eh? This is where I feel at ease.>

Katarine Ryiah ​

 

[Katarine Ryiah]

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Location: Hyperspace
Objective: Don't Smash and Die
Tags: Zane Cameron

The jump to hyperspace was very different in a starfighter. Katarine felt her stomach lurch and then they were shot forward and into the brilliant stream of hyperspace. It was all around them and she marveled at the colors. Her stomach felt tight as she watched and he spoke.

<So, what do you think, eh? This is where I feel at ease.>

Katarine laughed in amazement that they could be so different and yet somehow she felt a pull towards him. Where she was sitting here with a knot in her stomach dreading the flying, he was at ease and enjoying himself.

<Its way different than being in a huge ship. So quiet too.>

The big ships made a lot more noise because there was people on them and droids and everything else. In here it was just the two of them so it felt more silent and still.

<Did you always want to be a pilot?>

​

 

[Zane Cameron]

<Pretty much. As a kid, I ran around with models and toys of ships, pretending I was flying them.> He snickered as those memories resurfaced. They were of a simpler time but even those innocent moments had played a part in who he was now.

He had to fight for it, but made his dream come true. Sitting here inside the cockpit of his own X-wing with a Jedi Master was a testament to that.

<Did you always want to be a Jedi?> He then asked in return. <I know some of you start very young, but do you see yourself ever doing something else?> He was curious about this. Was she a Jedi only because she was meant to be one? Or did she enjoy being one as well?

He looked into his mirror to study her reaction.

Katarine Ryiah ​

 

[Katarine Ryiah]

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Tags: Zane Cameron

Katarine grinned, imaging a young boy playing with toys and wanting to fly. It was an adorable thing to think about. She could imagine him zooming around his room, pretending to fly.

His next question made her pause. The truth was yes, at one time she had thought her life would be different and she wouldn’t be a Jedi, but it had happened when she was older and Order 66 destroyed the Jedi. She didn’t think that was what he was asking though. They were talking about childhood dreams after all.

<Well I went to live with the Jedi when I was three years old. So I don’t think I ever thought about being anything else. I’m happy with it though. I like to hope I’ve helped a lot of people by being a Jedi.>

​

 

[Zane Cameron]

<I'm sure you have. You seem the caring kind.>

Not that she needed him to reassure or encourage her, but he figured some kind words wouldn't hurt. Katarine had been very easy-going thus far, and gave the impression that she'd do anything in her power to help other people. She had also given no reason to think she wouldn't live up to that impression.

Today, he was hopefully going to find out for himself.

<We're dropping from Hyperspace. The next part of the ride might be a little more... chaotic.>

That became instantly clear, the moment they dropped back into real space. The asteroid field up ahead was immense and violent. Huge chunks of space rock were constantly crashing into each other. It made him wonder how these people made a base in there that's still intact, but he supposed they had a clever design to make it work.

<If you get sick, there's a puke bag between your legs. Please don't aim for my neck.> He was teasing a little and couldn't stop grinning. Especially when he did finally enter the field, and maneuvered his way through the deadly field of asteroids.

Katarine Ryiah ​

 

[Katarine Ryiah]

​

Tags: Zane Cameron

They dropped out of hyperspace and he made a joke about being sick but Katarine could easily see how someone could get sick. The ride was intense. All around her was floating rock and the ships were dodging and spinning to avoid them.

This was not her happy place. She closed her eyes and tensed up, trying to ignore the way they were rolling around like maniacs.

They were missing giant pieces of rock by inches.

<If we survive I’m going to slap Valery Noble.>

She muttered mostly to herself and she closed her eyes again.

​

 

[Zane Cameron]

<Can I watch?>

He blinked at his own bluntness, but who could blame him? Katarine and Valery were both, well-

Best not to linger on those thoughts too long. He cleared his throat and focused on moving them through the asteroid field as best as he could. Without hitting any of them and without any overly crazy maneuvers. As much as he liked to tease and flirt, he didn't want her to regret coming on this mission.

Luckily, their targets was right ahead.

<There it is,> Zane said, as a base built into a large asteroid came into view. Unlike other asteroids, this one didn't seem to spin, rotate or move in erratic patterns. It followed the circular motion of the entire belt, but it was steady and somehow, other asteroids never even got close to colliding.

<I'm taking us in. When the canopy opens, I'll let you get out first.> That way, she could provide cover and do her Jedi thing. Zane figured she'd feel better if she got to show off her own skills and make herself useful, especially after a flight like this. So with that in mind, he switched S-foils to attack position and unleashed a quick barrage of cannon fire on the two turrets around the entry gate. They violently exploded as a result, and he took them inside before they could shut any gate on them.

The landing gear touched down harshly, since they had little time to waste, and the canopy was flung open.

Now, it was her time to shine.

Katarine Ryiah ​

 

[Katarine Ryiah]

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Tags: Zane Cameron

Katarine was ready the moment the canopy opened. She flung herself over the side of the starship and landed lightly on her feet. There were seven guards waiting for them, which surprised Katarine because their entrance had not been a surprise. One was pointing a blaster but Kat delivered a quick round house kick that sent the blaster flying. The other six converged on her and soon she was moving quickly, grabbing one's arm and twisting him around to use as a shield for the virbroblade his partner wielded. Another came running and grabbed her around the waist, tackling her to the ground. She recovered quickly and swept his legs out from under him. Two others came and she kicked the first in the face and punched the other in the knee. The guards were no match for her Teräs Käsi skills. By the time the rest of Revenant Squadron was out of their fighters the seven guards were unconscious and laying scattered around Katarine.

She undid the clasp on her helmet and slid it off, shaking her long brown and white hair out of her face as she did so. Her deep green eyes narrowed at the empty hangar they were in.

"That was too easy..."

She searched every corner of the large room with those narrowed eyes but there was nobody else waiting for them. There were no alarms blaring. The men that had greeted her had all been carrying vibroblades except one who had an old blaster. It didn't make any sense. The whole station must know they are here by now.

She closed her eyes and stretched her senses as far as she could and felt a small wave of dizziness creep over her. She swayed ever so slightly, and opened her eyes again. There was only one thing that made Katarine dizzy like that.

The Dark Side.

"We need to be careful. Something isn't right."

​

 

[Zane Cameron]

"Damn."

Zane quickly cleared his throat, hoping Katarine hadn't heard how obviously impressed he was. From his cockpit, he had seen the whole thing — her kicking ass. Perhaps he could have made it out in time to help her deal with the last two or three, but seeing her in action kept him in his seat.

His eyes focused on her.

Climbing out, Zane pulled his pistol from its holster and began to look around. He didn't see any other signs of trouble, and it was alarming. He had expected heavier resistance and all they sent was 7 guards? Only one of them armed with a blaster, too. He kicked one of the weapons away and grumbled, clearly bothered by this discovery.

But it seemed Katarine had felt something, too.

"Yeah? Your uh, Jedi senses telling you something?" Zane couldn't sense it, but a darker presence stirred deep within the facility. It wasn't alone — likely surrounded by other guards — and it was both strong and sickening.

And it was waiting for them.

Katarine Ryiah ​

 

[Katarine Ryiah]

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Location: Secret Facility
Objective: Snoop
Tags: Zane Cameron

"Yeah? Your uh, Jedi senses telling you something?"

That was one way of saying it. If the situation was lighter Katarine might have made a flirty comment about her senses, but right now she was worried for the pilots with her. All of her annoyance with Valery was vanished on the spot and Kat found herself wishing the guardian master was here. Being a Jedi might sound impressive to outsiders but Kat was smart enough to know she was no Valery Noble and they might be walking into a lions den.

She heard master Caltins voice chastising her in his head. Hadn’t he told her to work on her confidence? It was difficult, especially because Katarine had a weakness that many Jedi didn’t have. It was almost an allergy to the darkside and it made fighting darksiders that much harder. There was a reason the woman spent all her life undercover in the criminal underworld. The mind of most criminals were easy to understand, but darksiders were complex and often so warped by the darkside they defied logic.

She stretched her senses out further and felt something sickening. It felt almost rotting and decayed and she felt her stomach turn.

“I suggest we stay together Lieutenant and move slowly. Two people should watch behind us. This might be an ambush.”

She tried to address him by rank to show him respect in front of his pilots, and not make it seem like she was taking over the mission. Sometimes people hated when Jedi did that, especially since they were no longer in the actual Alliance ranks.

She glanced at him, to see if he was okay with this idea, and then she took the lead position forward.

They walked through the large hangar and through a set of doors that lead to a hallway. It was empty, without even a cleaning droid mousing around.

They kept moving forward, slowly, their eyes creeping into corners. The hairs on Katarine’s neck were standing straight up and the sickening feeling was getting stronger.

They turned a corner and kept walking but still they met nothing. It was starting to becoming creepy and Kat could feel some of the pilots anxiety behind her, though she wasn’t sure which ones felt that way. They kept walking, listening the the slow beeping of some machines in the distance. Kat was just starting to wonder if they had gone the wrong way when something screamed inside her mind. She had a split second warning in the Force, enough to glance upwards just in time to hear something pounding through the vents.

“WATCH OUT!!”

She sent a Force push out around her, knowing it would push the pilots away. A second latter something large and scaly had pounded its way through the vents and landed on top of the Jedi. She kneed it hard, sending it over her head and sliding down the hallway, giving her time to roll to her feet and hopefully giving her party time to start shooting.

​

 

[Zane Cameron]

"I certainly had no intention to leave your side." Zane flashed a grin, but he meant what he said for more than just wanting to keep the attractive Jedi Master close. He was at his best inside the cockpit of his fighter, not outside of it. Sure, he could use a blaster pistol or take down some threats with a rifle, but he was no infantry.

He needed her for this part of the mission.

The group began to move, Katarine in front to lead them through the darkness, and the other two pilots with their backs turned to them. They were watching the rear, blasters already drawn, and moved slowly. Zane had also pulled his pistol from its holster and stayed right behind Katarine. She might be the better fight, but he wasn't going to let her fight alone.

Standing behind her also had other perks, but he did his best to force his eyes up.

For a few minutes, the group moved without any signs of trouble. Zane didn't hear anything, and he certainly didn't see anything. It was odd — was this supposed to be like this?

"WATCH OUT!!"

The sudden voice startled him, but before he could speak, Katarine had already launched him and the other two pilots across the floor. He hit the metal panels hard and groaned, but forced himself to roll back onto his hands and knees. By the time he looked up, he saw the beast pouncing on top of Katarine. Luckily, she was quick on her feet and threw the beast over her head, positioning it between herself and the pilots.

"Shoot it!" Zane called out, as he drew his weapon and opened fire. The first few shots missed, but Zane struck the beast's side and angered it enough for it to charge at him. He fired again, striking it in the chest, but it wasn't enough to stop the creature. With one powerful leap, it launched itself and crashed into the pilot, knocking him over while sharp claws tore their way across his chest.

Zane yelped in pain but went silent when the back of his head struck the floor.

Katarine Ryiah ​

 

[Katarine Ryiah]

Tags: Zane Cameron


Katarine felt her throat clutch as the beast started running towards Zane. All at once her insecurities screamed and told her she should have handled this situation better. For some reason seeing the beast hurl itself at a pilot she barely knew was an emotional trigger that sent her charging that way. There was a snaphiss of her lightsaber and suddenly twin white blades came to life.

She kicked the beast off of Zane and it slid down the floor, dragging its large claws along the metal. The pilots were still shooting as the beast now charged at Katarine, who caught it with a lightsaber. It screamed and backed away for another attack but Kat wouldn't let it get anywhere near the downed pilot. With a twirling of white light she dismembered the beast and it finally lay, panting, licking its cauterized wounds and whimpering.

She deactivated her lightsabers and turned to see the other pilots were checking on Zane. She walked forward and put her hand out towards the beast, which growled and whimpered, trying to drag itself away from her. When her hand touched its head she closed her eyes and focused on its mind. Blurred images came into her own mind. A laboratory, great pain, electricity, and a dark high cruel laugh. What were they walking into?

With a wave of her hand she sent the beast to sleep and then hurried back to where Zane was laying. She knelt down to check his injuries.

"Lieutenant Cameron? Can you hear me?"

 

[Zane Cameron]

Zane's vision blurred as he slowly came to, pain radiating from his chest and head. He could feel the throbbing ache where the beast's claws had raked across him, but the sight of Katarine's concerned face was a strange comfort in the chaos.

"Y-Yeah… I'm here," he managed to croak, forcing a weak smile through the pain. His hand instinctively moved to cover the claw marks on his chest, feeling the torn fabric and warm blood underneath. "That was… closer than I'd like," he added, trying to lighten the mood despite the severity of the situation.

He glanced at the now unconscious beast and then back to Katarine, her white lightsabers still fresh in his mind. "You really saved my skin there, Master Ryiah," he said, more serious this time. Every breath he took caused him pain, and he didn't even want to think about getting up and trying to move. Not in his current state.

But did he really have a choice? There could be far more of these beasts out there.

"We have to..." he grimaced as a flash of pain shot across his features, "...keep moving. Can you help me up?"

Katarine Ryiah ​