Private Shoring Defenses

[Corazona von Ascania]

It had been a few years - at least - since Cora had last visited Alderaan. Her most recent trip in memory had been made to observe the discussion of succession that had lead to Alicio Organa being crowned King. During which, one Delila Castillon had mistaken her for a politician's mistress.

At the time, Cora had been too mortified to ask just which one of the old skeeves that woman thought she'd be playing mistress to.

She was still mortified by the memory, if she were being honest.

The flush of her cheeks began to evaporate as her transport touched down. The Jedi knight did not come today to seek an audience with the king, but with the CEO of Hekler'Kok Defense Industries - Noah Corek.

Cora had expressed the idea of a custom project - an energy shield modeled after Ukatian designs - to Valery, who had served as her connection. After exchanging messages with Mr. Corek, a meeting was arranged between the two.

The shuttle came to a halt on the private landing pad he'd given her the coordinates to. Cora took a moment to smooth down both her hair and clothes, patting down flyaways and static, before she made her way down the ramp.

Noah Corek

 

[Noah Corek]

Corazona von Ascania​

Noah was admittedly skeptical when he had originally gotten a message about a Jedi who wanted to commission him to make a piece of equipment from him. As a whole he did not like Jedi, there were of course exceptions such as Valery Noble whom he’d been friends with close to a decade and a half now and more recent friends like Efret Farr whom he’d bonded over history with.

But a job was a job and while he wasn’t charging for this, it was a favor for a friend after all so it wouldn’t be much of a favor if he did, he still had his professional reputation to uphold. It was for that reason that he sat here on the edge of a personal landing pad and waited for the arrival of the Jedi.

Leaning against the side of his personal vehicle he raised his arm to shield them from the downdraft of the engines as the shuttle landed before it came to be crossed over his chest once again as she stepped from the shuttle.

While she was concerned with her appearance Noah was not as well put together as he wore a pair of dark tan cargo pants with what appeared to be grease smudges on them and a dark green button up shirt that was untucked. The one thing of note that did look squared away was the slugthrower pistol holstered at his hip, cocked and ready.

“Miss von Ascania I presume?”

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

"Indeed. A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Corek."

Cora offered him a cordial smile. Her eyes wandered for a moment - subtly, as anyone would upon meeting a new person.

He was dressed practically, but her gaze lingered on the slugthrower at his hip. Her first impression of Noah Corek was that of a military man - one who'd seen countless bouts of combat, who knew war well enough to engineer a fortune from his creations.

As the greeting ended, Cora tilted her head towards Noah in a vague nod. "Thank you for meeting me here - you came highly recommended from Valery Noble."

Her focus drifted past him, to the rugged looking vehicle.

"She told me good things about you. I certainly hope she's said decent things of me."

A bit of humor slipped into her otherwise polite tone.

Noah Corek

 

[Noah Corek]

Corazona von Ascania ​

“The pleasure is all mine, not too often one meets a member of the Jedi Council…” Of course he didn’t mention the fact he’d meet at least four or five of them at some point.

Just as he was being sized up by Cora, she too was being sized up by him. The way she walked, talked and carried herself screamed formal education and possibility. Of course he knew this already but it was good to see he still had the analytical eye.

He chuckled and shook his head with a grin. “Val highly recommends me eh? Well that’s good, she usually tells people to avoid me.” His tone was obviously a joking one as he pushed himself up from leaning against his vehicle and motioning for Cora to follow.

He held the passenger side door open for her, no matter what he was still a gentleman, and once she sat down he closed the door and quickly made his way to the driver seat and started it up, put it in drive and made his way down a dirt road that connected to the landing pad.

The inside of the vehicle was obviously well maintained if not a little worn, a testament to Noah’s military background just as much as the rifle propped on the dashboard. As he pressed the ignition and the vehicle rumbled smoothly to life he chuckled when Cora mentioned Val saying good things about him. “Well good to see almost twenty years of friendship counts for something.”

As the vehicle trundled along, surprisingly smoothly for such a rugged looking vehicle, he chuckled when she remarked on what Val could have said about her. “She’s only told me good things, she is proud of ya, talks like you're a daughter, was especially proud of you becoming a council member.”

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

"One of its newest members," she added politely. The council was largely comprised of experienced Jedi masters, which made her appointment as a Knight all the more nerve-wracking.

Fortunately, the air between the two felt light. Jedi were not seen in a positive light by everyone - by many people - so she didn't take any wariness personally. She did, however, eye the rifle on the dashboard as she climbed into the passenger seat of the speeder. Cora smiled her thanks as he held the door open for her.

"Twenty years," she marveled. "I'm not surprised. She's very charismatic - Valery knows how to make friends."

Their slow journey to Noah's home was pleasant. Cora's gaze slipped to the window, idly focusing on the scenery as they passed by.

"Oh?" She turned her attention back to Noah, a faint flush settling onto fair cheeks. "Valery said that? All those things?"

Cora failed to stifle a genuine smile, eyes glittering. Valery was affectionate with her - as much as she was with her students and own children - but it was still a welcome surprise to hear that she'd spoken praise of her to another. The blonde's own parents had always been rather distant and cold.

"Have you lived out here for long?" she asked.

Noah Corek