The Heat is Rising (Collective, FWC)

[Claire Organa]

ON the rise again word had come from Kuat that the insurgents were rising up again. The graffiti began to appear on the walls of any public building, vandals had broken into buildings taking equipment, and nowthe leadership of Kuat was calling the Coalition to send a representative to look into the activities and if possible negotiate with them.

Claire was here to negotiate beside her Theo Vereen, a ranger in training. He was going to be looking into the activities and see if he could find out who it was and then bring them back to Claire, if possible.

There were rumors though, unsettling rumors that one of their neighbors had crossed the border slipping past the patrols and making it to Kuat. This by itself wasn't cause for concern but there were uncertainties that perhaps they were supporting the insurgents.

That was a problem.

She drummed her fingers on the table one more time the last tap of a nail signalling that she was deep in thought. She had never come into a disagreement. All her meetings had been arranged and the topics known. This was different she hoped she was up to the task.

Spoiler

@acanthus
[member="Alasdair Sitra"]
[member="Alessandro Waak'Tu"]
[member="Alexander Sannes"]
[member="Amelia Sorenn-Syrush"]
[member="Andulf Nicholas Teraan"]
[member="Asha Mataya-Syrush"]
[member="Bazette Royalblaze"]
[member="Brad Solo"]
[member="Cal Sedaire"]
[member="Camellia Swift"]
[member="Delila Castillon"]
@dexen yash
[member="Draco Vereen"]
[member="Dresden Verbrennung"]
[member="Elpsis Elaris"]
[member="Fiore de Noir"]
[member="Gilamar Skirata"]
[member="Hadleigh Purkis"]
[member="HK-36"]
[member="Jada Raxis"]
[member="John Ash"]
[member="Joza Perl"]
[member="Kaida Taldir"]
[member="Kosu Goram"]
[member="Liliane"]
[member="Lucien Dolos"]
[member="Maria Natalja"]
[member="Matthew Calderon"]
[member="Myles Davorak"]
[member="Natalia Sorenn-Syrush"]
[member="Nima Tann"]
@orloch moretti
[member="Rashae"]
[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
[member="Sirius Nova"]
@taryc ap'lrae
@tek sidereal
[member="Thalia Rist"]
@tomas yarrow
[member="Vaena Askari"]
[member="Vanja Del'Vaan"]
[member="Von Kyux"]
[member="Allana Badeaux"]
[member="Relina Zhan"]
[member="Songbird"]
[member="Acaleus Thorn"]
[member="Cecile Miraxus"]
[member="Cato Fett"]
[member="Tahiri Veya"]
[member="Chekīta Kaie"]
[member="Gabriel Sionoma"]
[member="AceReplica"]
[member="Jyoti Nooran"]

 

[Andulf Nicholas Teraan]

[member="Claire Organa"] @ Theo Vereen


Kuyat


So it was standing alone peering thru the side port windows of the ship Andulf stood silently as the events of last still linger in his mind. For thought deep inside he could help but still grieve his loss. There was at best he knew all too well no time for the weary to rest given that trouble still lurked as heavy the darken misty cloud over the farther reaches of space nebula. With the new day dawning upon House Teraan as it were with their fledgling Coalition.

That here he was yet again away from home opting to busy himself with work.

 

[Claire Organa]

[member="Andulf Nicholas Teraan"]

Claire looked over at Andulf, "Have you started preparations for the Embassy with the Metal Lords? It sounds like it might be quite the assignment dealing with a bunch of sentient droids. "

They would be landing on Kuat soon enough but she could take the time to put her mind somewhere else for a bit to take the edge of thinking about why would someone want to destroy the Coalition ideals. Now Kuat had shipyards so maybe that was why. She just didn't know.

There were rumors again rumors she cared not to think about.

 

[Andulf Nicholas Teraan]

[member="Claire Organa"]


It was then in the midst of deep thought that momentary silence was soon broken by Countess Clair words to him.

"Have you started preparations for the Embassy with the Metal Lords?It sounds like it might be quite the assignment dealing with a bunch of sentient droids. "

At which time he then turns to face her and replied back as he internally pushes back his own personal troubled for now.

"That I had Countess Claire....after the meet set off to have scouted the best possible location for the Embassy within the specified sector. Thought have to say dealing with the Metal Lords sentient droids had been somewhat interesting and had some getting used to. But at any rate as of late before we've departed I had received words from Capt. Ja'rrod that they had "broken ground" on the site. Which he had to coordinate with one the local sentient droids envoy of the Metal Lords in regards to security as well parameters of the outer complex structure."

 

[Claire Organa]

[member="Andulf Nicholas Teraan"]

"Broken ground? You mean they were finding a location for a ship don't you? I mean I know there are places on Corellia that have 'ground' but given everything are we really building an Embassy actually on what's left of Corellia?"

She wasn't sure, she only had bits of information but it was possible that Faith had said to build on the planet just not....well...she waited. What would the Count say?

It was certainly a curiosity to be dealing with sentient droids. She could use a good sarcastic droid for a partner, ya know someone who could say the things she was only thinking. This made her laugh

 

[Andulf Nicholas Teraan]

[member="Claire Organa"]

"Broken ground? You mean they were finding a location for a ship, don't you?I mean I know there are places on Corellia that have 'ground' but given everything are we really building an Embassy actually on what's left of Corellia?"

It was then after hearing her reply and given the somewhat perplexed look on her face made him somewhat embarrassed as he continued on to add.

"My apologies princess Faith but like I've mention dealing with these Metal Lords had been at best had been quite interesting say the least in certain point view. As their speech and syntax can be somewhat perplexing at a time and we had resort to decoding it best we knew how. Which in this case the results of the translation can be somewhat off at times but we try do our best come up with find suitable words."

 

[Claire Organa]

Claire wasn't sure what to say, "Count Teraan perhaps we should get you a drink? Are you ok?" Perhaps the Queen had put too much pressure on the young man and he was breaking under the pressure.

It was no easy task to build an Embassy and then to work with a bunch of sentient droids. That had to be interesting though. They would be landing on Kuat in just a moment but if the Count was ill she may very well need to get him to a doctor.

oh my she thought what do I do...it was then that the ship rocked.

"Buckle up" the pilot shouted. "we are being fired upon."

"FIRED UPON!" Good grief she thought what else could possible go wrong!!!

Claire tried to keep the Count company and secure herself...this wasn't going to be a good day was it.

 

[Andulf Nicholas Teraan]

[member="Claire Organa"]

It was at that time without him seem to realize it the strain and weight of these past few weeks had in turn been affecting him so. That it no less had not gone unnoticed by Countess Claire who seems thought unsure spoke out none the less.

"Count Teraan perhaps we should get you a drink? Are you ok?"

To which point his mind initially thought of perhaps shrugging of her worries by continuing to hide behind the false mask of calm. As in the back, his mind old memories of his youth came to mind. As he internally could help hear and fall back to the teaching of his late father who seems favor duty or honor of their noble house over that of his actual family. Distant and cold he'd view him so that grow up a bitter feud strain their relationship to an extent. That it was his mother and the few holidays spent within the Organa estate that shown be one the few fond memories he had. That unknowingly push and drove him to try be thought he had his doubts still. The man he thought she'd wanted him to be and do things right by her ...as he strived to make her proud. As he tried hard to continue and uphold the family legacy despite its secret shortcomings that their mother kept up until her own passing safe. At any rate, try as he could heeding her words as he turns face her as he took the brief moment of being if anything a friend rather than her subordinate to speak.

" Perhaps a drink would be fine....help ease my mind of things and yes I am fine it's just....."

It was then before he could finish his sentence and an aid was about fetched then bring a glass of Corellian aie to him. That the alarm rang followed by the ship violently rocking to one side. Followed by the pilot words echo thru the coms.

"Buckle up"

He then pauses before continue to shout a bit louder.

"we are being fired upon."


At which time the attacking ship was midway turn around for the next round at which time seem with the initial attack still resonate thru the ship. With all the alarm sounding off and men rush to contain or secure the damage caused by the unprovoked and unexpected attack. That for once instead of instilling fear in the count only drew to heighten his sense of awareness. As in the back his mind however much he thought he'd left it all behind...Andi rather the Andulf the count sprung into action.

"FIRED UPON!"

He then hears her words which only push to convey as much it confirm the gravity of their situation as made abundantly clear. This was real and for that, as he turns back at Clair as a mix of worry and concern for her safety grew strong. As he saw the look on her face while she stays with him Andulf then reached out to unintentionally grab hold of her. As he let instincts rather than a protocol to take over when he forgo any thought of personal safety made sure to shield her. As the ship rock and buckle under the strain of having one or two shot aim at their ship connecting. Causing a small panel come loose and fly across the room hitting him squarely on the shoulder. Thought at the same time spare her any further injuries as it came rest on the floor next. After which he then pump up with adrenalin and instinctual skill pick up during his errant youth that few save for his mother alone knew of. With his mind distracted by the driving thought of wanting to keep her safe rather than registering the pain that no sooner would eventually course thru his system steam from the incurred injury that he spoke.

" You alright Clair.....i...i Mean countess Claire...."

A momentary relapse on his part before they are pushed to one side in between the time he fumbles to grab hold then secure the clasp of her seatbelt. That the ship then took a hard left turn as the captain did his best to engage into a defensive maneuver with what bit of ship control he still had. As he barely avoided the next barrage of blaster fire from the attacking ship. Just as the Kuyat station came into view and pilot tried to fly the ship to safety.

 

[Claire Organa]

They were on the ground and alive. She looked at [member="Andulf Nicholas Teraan"] - "Yes I'm fine." She looked towards the cockpit, "Captain....what's going on??"

The Captain came back and smiled, "Seems they had a bit of excitement in the space port Mam. It's all under control." He nodded, "I'll be sure to go and speak with the Deck Officer about security. Are you alright?"

Claire nodded, "yes...it's good. All good.."

She sat there this getting shot at thing was not making her happy. She took a deep breath, "These insurgents are bold we need to find out more about them and put a stop to all of this."

She wouldn't admit it to anyone but she was concerned about it. Whoever this was they were getting louder and they would have to face it the Coalition was not doing a good job of finding them and putting a stop to it.

"Let's get off the ship and at least look around." She knew the Captain wouldn't approve but she hated feeling like a sitting porg.

 

[Andulf Nicholas Teraan]

[member="Claire Organa"]

It was then as the dust settled and the ship had landed that he felt quite a relief abet a hint of embarrassment as he hears her speak.

"Yes, I'm fine."


To which feeling relief that she was safe and seem not missing a beat came to follow thru by quickly turning towards the captain. Much to his relief for it gave him time to move away and attend to his own scrapes. Finding and grab a small med-pack from the supplies he quickly patches up the small wound to his shoulder and grabs a new pair or coat and shirt from his bag. He then proceeded to fall behind by Countess Clair side as he overhears her speak.

"Let's get off the ship and at least look around."

To which he nods and replies.

" I agree while the trail is still hoping there thought it might be best we keep our presence and status here a minimum. Perhaps use the diversion of the attack against our attacker whose identity we have yet to find out."

 

[Claire Organa]

[member="Andulf Nicholas Teraan"]

"I think someone knows our ship, so I do not wish for them to get closer and have us trapped in it." She preferred movement over stagnation. Was there a trail to follow? Was this a diversion to keep them from assisting those on Kuat?

She did not know but she would find out.

She nodded her agreement and headed for the door, "Captain keep in touch" Only to say they would return when they knew things were calm. "Ready Count Teraan?"

 

[Andulf Nicholas Teraan]

[member="Claire Organa"]


He then during the moment of distraction whereas he then silently ponders and assesses their situation at hand in his mind. That he hears Countess Clair speak and he in turn pause to face her as he listens.

"I think someone knows our ship, so I do not wish for them to get closer and have us trapped in it."

To which he then nods to then speak.

" I would think so too given the way ship had been targeted and seem forced down as it had been. There no telling if the by any chance the attack or our landing is or part of the distraction. Much the same slipping out and make ourselves a more mobile rather than steady target... agree on thought it would be prudent we make sure. We do not leave any trail or such for them to follow us so...."

He then notion for two of those with them...one the soldier along with female assistant of her to assume take their place. Handing them over to be escorted by the guard captain and his men as were the protocol. Before which he takes then enter in one of few secure com he knew on the top his head a comlink that he soon after handing to the captain. Then take his own enter the same secure frequency as well.

"Frequency I've enter should be outside of all know normal channels and would be hard to trace. But should connect to this one I've set only......good luck captain."


And with that said Countess Claire turn to face the Captain guard himself as she spoke.

"Captain keep in touch"

Then with that said she turned to him as he finished up gathering a few supplies to take along with a couple of cloaks. As she then turns face him to speak.

"Ready Count Teraan?"

At which time he then replied just as he hands her one the cloak.

" Yes, thought would suggest that you put one this on best conceal and sell the ruse to our attackers."

With that, the two groups then departed with the Captain guard and those with him exiting thru the main exit while they slipped out back. Hopefully away from prying eyes towards the opposite direction where the hangars main entrance was.