The Wheel of Fortune (SSC Dominion of The Wheel Hex)

[Audren Sykes]

Location: Bal'demnic
Objective: Cortosis
Post: 5

Subsequent attempts were just as fruitless. Oh yes, he'd been accurate enough with detection, but often times it was just a hunk of the mineral. The record for his smallest hit had been a chunk the size of his balled fist...and that wasn't even good-grade ore. There were a few solid pieces here and there, and he used the mining droid to grab anything the controller said might be worthwhile, but by and large the returns were minimal.

Understandably, the Sephi was getting frustrated. He wasn't buying the fuel, nor was he paying for the droids by the hour or even the day, but this was time he could be spending elsewhere theoretically. Peevishly, he put the controller droid on the spot and asked - in a very annoyed tone - about hooking the droid up to the ship's sensors and running scans that way. The droid apparently had a bit of attitude, since it sarcastically responded something about filtering through nonexistent data; the gist of it was that the fighter didn't have the right kind of sensors, so even if they did hook the droid up it wouldn't work. He'd have better luck using the droid's sensors and hooking that up to the fighter's displays...except the droid's sensors weren't powerful enough for that. Just his luck, of course.

 

[Kyrana Gould]

[member="Karen Roberts"] [member="Sabine Kurtass"]
10/38

The initial fighter skirmish had been somewhat indecisive and the enemy ships has retreated before the forming line of their ships.

Their guns turned furiously on the Defender. Even from many kilometres away, Keller could see the flash as the shields flared and started to overload. A fact confirmed by a somewhat worried message from the ships.
“Shields are almost down, sir! All power is to shields, we can’t fire!”

“Keep going, you’ll be through their line soon.”

The cruiser was being hammered hard, but after the enemy’s next volley they would be able to move underneath their line, get behind them and then get into their rear.

Meanwhile the Watchman and Righteous with Pioneer, mostly ignored, was able to continue their move around the enemy right flank. Next time they too would be able to get behind their flank.
On the far side the Adventure also continued its move around the flank.

“Master Roberts, take two squadrons of fighters with you and one of bombers. Hit the Scorpion hard. If their corvettes try to interfere, cover the bombers’ approach run.”

To aid in this, all available ships would also open fire on the Scorpion. If they could do some damage too, combined with a full squadron of bombers they might well be able to wreck it.

Spoiler

Battlegroup Valiant:

• 1 x Argent Class Carrier Attack 2/20. Flak 16/20. Defence 10/20. SPD/MAN: 13/14.
  Valiant – 800/800 3 SQ FT, 1 SQ IN, 2SQ BO

[*]2 x Sentinel Class Cruiser Attack 14/20. Flak 10/20. Defence 10/20. SPD/MAN: 12/12.

• Defender – 100/500 2 SQN FT, 1 SQ BO Unable to fire +50 -400
• Preserver – 500/500 2 SQN FT, 1 SQ BO Firing on Scorpion +25

[*]2 x Vigilance Class Frigate Attack 16/20 Flak 6/20 Defence 14/20. SPD/MAN: 9/9

• Watchman – 300/300 Firing on Scorpion
• Righteous – 300/300 Firing on Scorpion

[*]1 x Guardian Class Frigate Attack 6/20 Flak 16/20 Defence 8/20. SPD/MAN: 10/10

• Justice – 300/300

[*]2 x Frontier Class Corvette Attack 4/20 Flak 10/20 Defence 10/20. SPD/MAN: 7/8

• Pioneer – 150/150 1 SQN FT Firing on Scorpion
• Adventure – 150/150 1 SQN FT

Total = 3000

Fighters:

1. Holding position 11/12 -1
2. Holding position 12/12
3. Holding position 11/12 -1
4. Holding position 12/12
5. Holding position 11/12 -1
6. Holding position 12/12
7. Holding position 11/12 -1
8. Holding position 12/12
9. Holding position 12/12
10. Holding position 12/12
11. Attacking Scorpion 12/12
12. Attacking Scorpion 12/12

Bombers:

1. Attacking Scorpion 12/12
2. Holding position 12/12
3. Holding position 12/12
4. Holding position 12/12

 

[Jsc]

Fleet
[member="Kyrana Gould"] [member="Sabine Kurtass"] p4

The quiet echo of her cockpit made Gould's voice loud as thunder. R2 didn't even register it at first. He was too busy updating the computer with all the whiz-banging going around. Karen noticed it though. Though you might never notice it from the stars in her eyes and the glimmer off her cockpit.

"Roger that. Moving to engage designated Scorpion. Roberts out."

She switched channel,

"Tango Leader. Hyper Leader. Retask to me and bring your boys. Prepare to engage designated target, Scorpion. We are escorting Viper Squad to the boom zone. ...Enemy fighters will be to us."

Her com chattered with the okay from all three squads. They formed fast and flawless with Karen's X-Wing at the tip of the spear. Moving to the Scorpion like a happy little school of fish. A well oiled machine.

...

Karen's turret engaged any Point-Defense Laser Cannons that targeted her ship with a Jedi's unnatural senses. Retasking her variable guns only when they were absolutely needed to pop an incoming Ion Torpedo or two at range. In this way she minimized the flak and the debris around her vessel. Seemingly ignoring R2's data-stream of combat logs, updates, beeps, whistles, and even the refresh rate of her Advanced Sensor Suite, all together. She was in a different place, fighting a different battle, against a completely different foe than the other pilots who trailed behind her. Responding before things happened. Seeing openings computer's couldn't compute. Doing rolls and cycles that made her vessel grown, zero-G gasp, and her droid suddenly feeling the need to puke. She was in the Force.

She was home.

...

"Target location reached. Engaging enemy Starfighters!"

Karen frowned as she pulled up on the stick. Her X-Wing's greatest weakness was it's completely and utter lack of Proton Torpedoes. Meaning, that she was useless in DPS against larger vessels. (Except for smearing their Point Defense Cannons, of course.) ...So when Tango, Hyper, and Viper finally reached the Scorpion's location? She was forced to spend her time chasing down Eagle pilots with her X-Wing's laser turret. Both before, sides, and behind her.

Her stalking presence was a strong deterrent against any Eagle pilot at Scorpion's location. However, the other pilots were only human.

 

[Darth Banshee]

Post:5
Enemy area 1: [member="Karen Roberts"] [member="Kyrana Gould"]

The enemy returned fire, all at one frigate called the scorpion. The captain of the ship hailed her, as his ship came under heavy fire.
It had not just been struck by his capital ships, it had been hit by Silver bombers and at close range some there hit's had by passed the shields.
As he spoke the ship itself rocked, as the bombers made impact. Commander Kurtass, we sustained heavy fire power permission to fall back.
She did not even ponder his request, Permission denied. She then opened a hail to her whole fleet.
All vessels strike that cruiser one more time, then break formation and do the following.
The Hood move to attack The Adventure,
The Magma and The Countess on me we finish off that cruiser, then take down the other.
Venom, Scorpion and Scipio move to take on the ships coming in from the flank, then take down The pioneer first.
Red and Blue squadrons with The Saber, give fighter cover to Scorpion.
The Hood and The claw, takedown the fighters in front of us with yellow and green squadrons.
Now all do you duty and open fire!
Then whole fleet opened fire, on the defender one last time. Then they broke formation, and began to move to attack the ships as instructed.

Chaos would soon rule the space around them.

Spoiler

The Banshee I.M.D. Tarantula MkI Armament 12/20 Flak 0/20 Def 12/20 Spd/Man 13/13
Shields/Hull 600/600
The Countess I.M.D. Tarantula MkI Armament 12/20 Flak 0/20 Def 12/20 Spd/Man 13/13
Shields/Hull 600/600
Magma I.M.D. Boa MkI Armament 16/20 Flak 0/20 Def 16/20 Spd/Man 11/11
Shields/Hull 400/400
The Scorpion I.M.D. Boa MkI Armament 16/20 Flak 0/20 Def 16/20 Spd/Man 11/11
Shields/Hull 150/325
Scipio I.M.D. Boa MkI Armament 16/20 Flak 0/20 Def 16/20 Spd/Man 11/11
Shields/Hull 300/400
Venom I.M.D.Cobra MkI Armament 14/20 Flak 0/20 Def 14/20 Spd/Man 11/8
Shields/Hull 150/150
The Hood I.M.D.Cobra MkI Armament 14/20 Flak 0/20 Def 14/20 Spd/Man 11/8
Shields/Hull 150/150
The Saber I.M.D.Fang MkI Armament 6/20 Flak 14/20 Def 14/20 Spd/Man 7/7
Shields/Hull 80/80
The Claw I.M.D.Fang MkI Armament 6/20 Flak 14/20 Def 14/20 Spd/Man 7/7
Shields/Hull 80/80
The Tail I.M.D.Fang MkI Armament 6/20 Flak 14/20 Def 14/20 Spd/Man 7/7
Shields/Hull 80/80
4x squadrons of Eagles
Red 11 one destroyed
Blue 12
Yellow 12
Green 11 one destoryed

------------------------------------------------------------

Area 2
Enemy: [member="Arisa Yune"]

Outside the engagement area, sabine had force waiting to help if she need a vanguard to retreat.
They had only two ship here, an Artillery ship, and a carrier there job was to come in and cover the retreat if need be.
Now that was not necessarily option, as the commander of The Ballista waited for a reply.
The captain of The Ark Royal had her fighters they had two squadrons in total.
They also had bomber squadron, on the launch the deck awaiting orders.

Spoiler

The Ballista I.M.D Brachypelma MkI Armament 10/20 Flak 0/20 Def 16/20 Spd/Man 12/12

The Ark Royal I.M.D Trojan MkI Armament 4/20 Flak ?/20 Def 10/20 Spd/Man 11/10

[member="Valiens Nantaris"] please advise on flak

 

[Kei Amadis]

Location: Alone with his wife to be.
Beside: [member="Elara Wahia"]
11/25

Building their own life together, as the SSC helped the people build theirs. Kei's grin was strong and as broad as you might ever see, placing his hand over hers again. Her fears, and her commitments what it meant, "I remember," he’d known, exactly what it meant to her. She had found the one man that would always come back to her, she took him faults and all. "Future scares all of us," the soldier, general, jedi, outcast, husband said to her, he'd "been through the mill", but he was alive, and all of that had brought him to the SSC in great company, doing great work for those around them, and importantly, "brought me to you."

There was a wink back and a kiss to her forehead, clubbed, “sounds good, let’s go with that.” Epicanthix were warriors at heart, and in their culture. Their ceremonies were usually loud gatherings but small, making a lot of noise between close friends. Amadis tucked any strand of hair from her face, “no more fears, for either of us.” Fact was, their time together was usually private, this was the most open they’d been. Yeah, Kei nodded deciding something.

“Just the two of us. That’s all I want.” Date, “Soon as you are ready. Tomorrow, Next week, Now.” Kei was serious, looking over her ring, finger atop the words inscribed, my "Mine." he said repeating what she'd said, she was all the fire he remembered, honesty, truth. Why wait, "my wife and mate." Simple as that.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Post 16:

Her instincts about Bal'demnic were correct. The planet's rugged beauty was of a sort that appealed to the hedonistic side of human nature and would one day draw the wealthiest of that species to bask in the warm light of its primary, toe its pristine sands, swim in its animated waters, and dine on the toothsome fish that filled its vast oceans. But in those days, humans were still relatively scarce in that part of the Outer Rim, and most visitors to Bal'demnic hailed from Hutt space or the far reaches of the Perlemian Trade Route. And so the captain was Togruta, and her first mate, a Zabrak. The pilot was a Rodian; her navigator and her three crew members all hailed from different planets. 'Near-humans' all, to use the term favoured at that time, where chauvinism had been raised to an art form. The only non-sentient was a bipedal droid.

Bal'demnic was but one of their planetary haunts. As often as not they could be spotted anywhere there was money to be made. But all were similar in that theys rarely saw anything more of the planets than what lay within a radius of five kilometres from the principal spaceports, and their contact with indigenes was limited to spaceport functionaries, merchants, information brokers, and those in the pleasure professions.

Theirs was a precarious business, at a time when pirates plied the intersystem trade routes, hyperspace beacons were few and far between, and a lapse in judgment could result in disaster. The cost of fuel was exorbitant, corrupt customs officials had to be bribed, and import-export taxes were subject to change without notice. Delays meant that cargoes of foodstuffs could lose the freshness that made them desirable, or worse yet spoil altogether. Dangers were manifold and the earnings were meagre. You had to love the work, or perhaps be on the run-from the law, yourself, or whoever else.

 

[Fyor Nayus]

Location: Working with Matsu
Beside: [member="Matsu Ike"]
12/25

“Of course Matsu,” Fyor prepared one of his overblown dispositions of which this writer shall save the fair reader, suffice to say the preamble and flowery words, were as long as the technical readout itself.

After some minutes had past, Fyor revealed the first droid candidate. It appeared as a miniature habitat container on legs. Alongside it he setup a holoscreen, taking data from his visor and giving a full technical readout of its internal sub structure. The droids were about two thirds the size of a chair, having 8 legs for scaling rough terrain and one small hover motor if necessary over water. Crystal glass atop the mechanical crawler held room for species to be contained in isolation and even retrieved in danger, should they need to be preserved or with atmospheric failure.

Inside the droids had the most subtle circuit signatures of a company called archangel but the technology was utterly adapted and redesigned, turning the droid into Fyors own brand, with just the barest traces of its earlier design. They had independent power source, temperature generation, cooling and air filtering controls, but perhaps their most important feature was their ability to blend in and not startle animals with their stealth field.

They were completely unarmed, and essentially small convoy machines, able to carry their cargo, or preserve it and its environment, externally or internally. Fyor bowed at the end of his performance, very different bows to Taiden Keth, that of a performer almost, somewhat pleased with himself.

“All yours for the bargain price Matsu of free, well, there is still the mere matter of paying the pilots to bring enough for our needs, and maintenance contracts, but suffice to say a bargain price, would you not agree,” a touch of the businessman present in the gesture.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Post 17:

As a consequence of having imbibed too much local grog and gambled away too many hard-earned credits-and perhaps as atonement for so much carousing-concerns about the coming trip had bobbed to the surface of Captain Hussell’s mind like an inflated balloon held under water, then released.

"No oversights this run," she was warning the crew in a gentle way, as they made their way across the landing zone to their waiting ship.

"I'm serious," she said as they approached the ship’s lowered boarding ramp. "I'll say it again: this ship operates as a democracy. I'm your captain because knowing who's good at what is just something I have a talent for." She looked at the Rodian. "Do I ever tell you how to pilot?" Then at another. "Do I ever question your decision about jump points?"

"No, Captain," the two said, as if by rote.

"So I'm simply speaking as a member of what should be a competent team, and not as a commander." She blew out her breath in a way that shook her trio of striped head-tails. "Either we turn a profit on this run, or we think about going to the Hutts for another loan."

They entered the main cabin space, where the droid was waiting.

"Everything in order?" she asked it.

The droid raised three of its appendages in an approximation of a salute. "Shipshape, Captain."

"All the cargo is aboard and accounted for?"

"Aboard and accounted for, Captain."

"You checked the thermo readouts?"

"In each bay, Captain."

She returned a satisfied nod. "Well, all right then."

 

[Audren Sykes]

Location: Bal'demnic
Objective: Cortosis
Post: 6

By the time they made it to the end of the list, Audren was not in a good mood. All of the time he'd spent searching had been a waste and it was rapidly coming clear that while he could sense the difference in materials if he spent time learning them, determining the grade or concentration of said material was going to take quite a bit more practice. Practice he wasn't sure he wanted to put forward; while this was a useful skill, it was also a niche skill. Droids and sensors, properly calibrated, could do the same job, and likely quicker. Something to think on.

He barely even bothered with this last location. Oh, he landed, let the droids trundle off to do their scanning, but he just leaned against one of the landing struts. It was clear that he didn't expect to find anything here, that he wanted to get it over with and head on out. When the one droid headed back to the ship, the Sephi grabbed a handhold and put one foot on the ramp, ready to swing up and around into the ship.

"Yea, I know, nothing worthwhile here either."

"Actually, sir, this outcropping is just the start. I can't be sure without a full survey, but my guess is this mountain has deposits all throughout."

Well. What were the odds of that?

"Huh. What do you need for a full survey?"

"More sensors, more droids. Neither of which you have."

But the Knight wasn't listening any more. His head had tilted up slightly, his eyes focused far off into the distance. Then he turned it to the side slightly.

"We have company. Don't let the other droid drill or dig."

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Post 18:

The shipmates split up, each with duties to perform. The droid sought out the captain. ”Captain, I need your input on something."

"Since when?" she said. "Seriously?"

"There is a problem in cargo bay four."

"Too hot or too cold?" she asked.

"Too hot. It could be the bay thermostat."

"Or?"

"Or someone is in there.”

"Okay, so we go check it out."

Sorel was seated atop one of the smaller shipping containers when the hatch began to cycle. Fully awake although now feeling the effects of the insect bites and damage to her back.

When the hatch slid to, she found herself confronted by the ship's Togruta female captain, along with a muscular male Zabrak; a mottled Klatooinian as tall as a normal Muun; an Aqualish of the two-eyed variety; and a scarlet-hued, scaly-skinned Kaleesh, whose face resembled those of the bats she had seen recently. All five carried blasters, but only the Klatooinian's was primed for fire and levelled at Sorel.

"You're not listed on the shipping manifest, stranger," the Captain said as she stepped into the bay, breath clouds emerging with the words.

Sorel spread her hands in an innocent gesture. "I confess to being a stowaway, Captain."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

11/38

[member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Kaileann Vera"]

Swiftly the speeder passed by the bays. 11…12…13…14

Needless to say this was a big station, but at this speed Connor would be able to arrive at just the right time.

Either he would help intercept Kaile’s ‘friends’ as they emerged with her, or help intervene if there was trouble before….

XXX

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] [member="Shmi Labooda"] [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

The High Archon’s already slitted eyes narrowed a bit further. “Would it matter if I did object?” he asked grumpily.

Though it was probable that the Kon’me weren’t ‘civilised’ enough to know about protection rackets, Thrash probably knew that his choices in the matter were limited. Besides, the Jedi had aided their planet all those centuries ago.

Before he could voice his thoughts though, they were interrupted. A man appeared, threatening them.

Thrash stood, his tail lashing angrily. “You see Jedi?! You see already you bring war and strife to us!”

His eyes narrowed on the leader of the gang. “Push that button and you kill yourself too. There is no victory for you here.”

The Kon’me, with their pink skin and long necks looked comical, but now they started to rise, their fangs and claws glinting as they moved to block the exits.

It would be for the Jedi to do something….

XXX

[member="Cambria Zadira"]

With no reply from Cambria’s position, the battle went on with the two other groups.

Nantaris was in his element. Though he missed the presence of Scindia beside him, he was amply supported by Myr and his fellow soldiers, as well as the gunships. It was clear the raiders had not expected a fully equipped assault, and were soon rapidly giving ground before the onslaught.

“Sir, some of them are breaking and fleeing into the woods!”
“Let them go. We don’t have the manpower to trap them yet. Find and secure any hostages and take prisoners.”

 

[Audren Sykes]

Location: Bal'demnic
Objective: Cortosis
Post: 7

The newcomers arrived quicker than Audren had expected. There were multiple methods of travel present: some landspeeder, some speeder bike, even a couple riding animals. There were two universals though - all the arrivals were native Kon'me, and none of them were happy. A few of them were even armed. In short, not the best situation that he could have found himself in. Not all of them were looking at him, so he took a step forward to gain their attention.

"Is there something I can help with?"

"Have you taken anything from this mountain?"

"We have not."

"So if I went on board your ship, I wouldn't find any rocks."

"You're not going on board my ship. You would find rocks there, but none from this mountain. What's going on here?"

"This is our land. You have no right to take from it."

"I was unaware the land was claimed. I-"

"Ignorance is no excuse. You will return what you have taken and leave."

A couple of the younger Kon'me who also happened to be armed shifted a bit at that. It was clear they wanted him to refuse and make some stupid mistakes so they could use those weapons they carried. None of them seemed to recognize the Sephi as a Jedi - not surprising, given his lack of robes. In fact, the only indicator that he was a Jedi was the lightsaber hilt incongruously hanging at his right hip...balanced on the left by a blaster. Things wouldn't go well for them if this devolved into violence, and they didn't - couldn't - realize that.

 

[Micah tol Powl]

STAR WARS: CHAOS: THE NEXT GENERATION: SVU: WTF​

Episode Over 9,000: The Search for More Plot​

​

It is a dark time for piracy in the Mid Rim.

Nefarious forces, upset at getting their butts kicked by [member="Karen Roberts"] and [member="Kyrana Gould"], had taken to the hire of thugs and mercenaries in effort to strike back at the expanding light of good that was the legendary and epic Silver Sanctum Coalition.

Also, awesome.

Dispatched by the Silver Jedi Council, Jedi Knight [member="Abaigeal E'ron"] and her padawan learner -- the scourge of the deep and legendary Jedi of legend -- travel to the Wheel in order to investigate rumors that the dastardly Sullustan mafioso Don Drax Doofu was there stirring up nothing good...



T H E W H E E L
Post 1 of 38
Objective: Be Guardians of Peace and Justice

A Jedi was selfless.

A Jedi wanted for naught, save to serve others.

In the single pursuit of this ideal of service to the galactic community some went so far as to abandon their own name, surrendering their identities so to focus not on themselves but wholly dedicate their being to the needs of others. Nothing in the material world called to the Jedi, for their toils and labors were not for credits or fame. In the same way, a Jedi was possessed of the most serious mind. Scholar and warrior both, the Jedi approached their appointed tasks with a reverence and a quiet professionalism that had endured for more than a thousand generations...

...and then there was the next generation.

The young Nautolan's hands and face were plastered up against the storefront window, as visions of toys, games, and holo-electronics danced in his eyes as the boy stood outside of a toy store. "Oh, cool..." the child murmured, as his head seemed to move as if on a swivel -- as though he was trying to look in three or five different places at once.

Pushing away from the glass, the youngling sprang back as he called out loudly, "Master! Master, you should see... this... this, like, thing is... is astral!" the boy was saying, rambling on in the excited way in which he often spoke. Which was not at all with what anyone would call an 'inside voice'. As he did, however, the boy looked past the woman to whom he was speaking as his head went back with the view of the inner workings and spires of the elaborate space station.

"Whoaaaaaaaaaa...." the boy breathed, utterly speechless at the engineering marvel before him.

You know, maybe raising the future Jedi in cloistered, monastic temples was not exactly the best preparatory experience for the real world and what it contained.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Location: The Wheel
Objective: Investigate rumours of pirates and keep up with Zak! .. and keep focus on the mission.

[member="Zak Dymo"]

(6)

It had to be thugs and merc. It seemed that the Silver Sanctum Protected Space was rife with them, well the galaxy was full of them and the Silvers are so close to old Hutt space it was inevitable. One saving grace was it wasn't snakes. Abaigeal clipped along behind Zak who had raced off and stopped in front of a shop window, his excitement oozed through the force peaking to the point that she looked around for a public refresher just in case he needed it. At least that part of his 'training' she did not have to worry about, but still Zak is a young boy and so has young boy wants and interests. She sighed internally, wondering what was in the mind's of the Assembly to have assigned her Zak as Padawan. She struggled to look after herself let alone a child. Maybe that was their way of training her? damn sneaky Jedi, she would not put it passed them.

"What have you found?", she asked coming up beside him and looking up from the datapad with the file on the mission details and in through the window to see all manner of gadgets swirling in the air and stuff. It did look fun, something she was never given or had access to as a child, all Abaigeal had to amuse herself growing up in the silent desert in the cave, was endless tunnels to explore, weird and wonderful insects and creatures and sand, lots of sand. It was a strange place, to raise a child but times were very different then and it seemed like eons ago.

"You know what?, you could try and convince Grand Master [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] that that ..", she pointed to the astral marvel he took a great interest in, "has educational and training benefits and he might order a line of them for the Sanctum". But something else caught her eye, in the shop next to this one, "Oh that is pretty", she said moving to take a look at the latest line of undergarments for females displayed.

 

[Micah tol Powl]

Post 2 of 38​

T H E P L A N E T
B A L' D E M N I C

He shouldn't have come.

"You come to steal ore!"

The staggered Basic wasn't a sign of any lack of intelligence, merely a lack of practice in using the language. The native Kon'me were not exactly sociable toward the galactic community, a cultural facet that was rearing a rather ugly reptilian head as a delegation from the Sanctum attempted to reason with the unreasonable. "Again, we've come to help you preserve your natural resources..." the man, one of the Voss-Ka Mystics, was arguing on behalf of the Coalition.

As for himself, the young Pantoran again found himself playing in the fields of the Jedi and not really understanding why -- either why he came or why he cared -- but, at the same time, it was fascinating for how very Jedi the outlook before him was. Jedi liked to talk. They pretended that words could serve in place of action. And, sometimes, such a nuanced approach could have its uses. What the Jedi termed 'negotiation' the Sith knew as simple manipulation. His own master, Darth Scorpius, would likely have taken a similar approach. Endear the Kon'me. Befriend the Kon'me.

And then slip the knife in their back the moment they let down their guard and invited you in for tea...

Were this the Primeval, that holiest of religions, they'd have come in force with their cathedral ships and enslaved this world. Taken from it what they wanted and its populace would have converted to faith in Sargon or been killed. Or worse, used as human shields and fodder on the battlefield, as [member="Zambrano the Hutt"] had done to great effect on Wayland, when he'd freed prisoners and slaves for scant moments of freedom before using them as unwitting suicide bombers against the Mandalorian defenders.

Were the Jedi really all that magnanimous? They certainly had the power -- the raw military strength -- to take Bal'demnic by force. And the Kon'me were not fools. Their xenophobia was a choice, but not one that left them so ignorant of galactic affairs as to not be aware of the Coalition fleet now in nearby Centares. So even if the Coalition was not aiming their guns at the Kon'me, the fact that the Coalition possessed such weaponry was still a consideration in the so-called 'negotiations.' The proverbial elephant in the room, as it were.

So it seemed that the more the Jedi protested that they were nothing like the Sith, the more in common that the two shared.

It didn't explain why he was so welcome among them. He'd never been welcome anywhere, least of all among his own. The Heavenshields made him feel almost wanted, which was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. But the boy found that, for his part, he did not dislike the Heavenshields. He might even have said that they were friends, but for the fact that they were Jedi and he was...

...complicated.

But it was not upon the bondage of the will that the youngling found his mind disquieted. Perhaps it should have been. There were Jedi all around him, leaving him suffocating beneath that presence in the Force. It was as if a great beacon were shining on Bal'demnic. The light, it burned at his senses and sent the underworld urchin wanting to find some shadow in which to hide or find cold solace away from its dispassionate warmth.

So why, then, did he feel it?

The Dark Side of the Force. Something powerful resonated upon this world, something not of the Jedi.

...a presence?

No, not a presence. But something. Elusive. Ethereal. Existing only on the edge of perception, as though he was trying to see a shadow from out of the corner of his eye. He might have missed it, but for the Dark Side poison in his veins since the encounter with the terentatek on Korriban. It had pulled him ever further into the dark abyss.

He looked into it now, barely visible in the mind's eye for all the Jedi spreading their light across the world. But there, nonetheless. Slipping away from the Coalition delegation, the boy began making his way out toward the coastline of the island.

 

[Matsu Ike]

22/38
New Holstice Construction
[member="Fyor Nayus"]

Looking at him as he was offering to the jedi master plenty at the cost of free, it was a welcomed sight as she spoke. "Very nice thank you." A bow of her head and smile as she gave some of the things seeing him while she walked and let them work over all of the hospital parts of the massive station. was suspended. With more of the work they could do and build into it she was happy to say that it would prosper once fully realized. "We shall be able to work with it and organizing what is inside will also be important. We have a massive residential section complete with school, research and development ontop of an entertainment district for people to enjoy themselves. The massive trade hub is designed to bring commerce to the underdeveloped world and interact with the stations we have developed."

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Location: In a shuttle returning home from exile to the Silvers.
Objective: Get to Voss.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | @Mother | [member="Shmi Labooda"]

(7)


... speaking of next Gen.

Théo had been leap frogging his way home, from leaving the Wookiees on Kashyyyr to Ossus there to pick up a Silver Sanctum shuttle to Voss. He had been much father afield and for several months now, but the time had come for him to return home. He had worked with [member="Judah Dashiell"] on Ceto and had earned himself a bucket load of credits for one his age and like one his age he had spent some of it on clothes. So with head down over his datapad scrolling through the playlist before listening to some music and looking rather dapper, Théo leans back spreads his legs as wide as they will allow and whittles away the time in space travel tapping his foot to the beat and day dreaming of many things, surf, sand, sun and a girl.

Only ten or so minutes go passed before he is shaken violently by a large hand. "Mister Heavenshield!", Théo jolts out of his dreams. "We were unable to location Grand Master Heavenshield on Voss, but was informed he is on Bal'demnic on a diplomatic mission accompanied by Master Heavenshield". The co-pilot scratched his head, "Any word on Lady Heavenshield?", Théo asked of Nina with slight amusement on his face. "L.. Lady Heavenshield?", this was getting to much for the man. Théo laughed and waved his hand dismissing the silly joke.

"I don't suppose you can re-route the shuttle to Bal'demic and drop me off?", he asked hopefully. "Well it is not that far of a stretch, I am sure the captain will be happy to take you there". Besides it is the Grand Master's son after all, and so the shuttle bank left and headed toward Bal'demic.

----------------------------------

With co-ordinates to the government building which housed the senate rooms, Théo walked the street enjoying the light of day and the warmth of the sun. He is excited to be here and see his parents, even a little nervous wondering what their reception will be but he supposed they would be happy to have their son back home with them and would be happy to cop whatever words of chastisement they cared to give him. He bounded up the steps to the front door of the build only to be stopped in his tracks by a armed guard of .. snake like beings.

"Halt!", five rifle barrels pointed toward him. "This building is in lock down, state your business!". Naturally, with what was happening inside, the authorities had moved in to secure the parameter after they had been alerted to terrorists and their demands.

"I am here to see Grand Master Heavenshield and Master Heavenshield, they are inside in the senate rooms .. what is going on?".

 

[Elara Amadis]

Location: Alone with her husband to be
Beside [member="Kei Amadis"]

He understood her desires for privacy and how such an important binding of two lives was more important to the two than to sharing it with a number of others. This blending was private it exposed their softer sides and as warriors they protected this softness. Warriors who lived in the moment for whatever life offered to them.

She smiled,"we have waited enough time Kei, now is good" she whispered, "My husband, my mate." She would understand if he wanted to have a celebration with the Wild Cards and friends, but this dedication of one to the other, this acknowledgement was enough. It would hold more meaning than anything someone could say to them about what life was, about what love was, and about what it meant to be devoted to one another.

They would build a life together they would at times be parted and yet not parted, they would be one now and always.

 

[Audren Sykes]

Location: Bal'demnic
Objective: Cortosis
Post: 8

Carefully, Audren felt about with the Force. It was clear that some of the younger Kon'me were interested in violence, but what of the others? Some of them were brimming with anger, others resigned, a few curious. An odd mix of emotions to be sure. A volatile one, since there weren't enough nonviolent ones to reign in the violent. That left it up to him. And yet he couldn't do so via the Force. If this truly was their land and he wanted to own it, he morally couldn't Mind Trick them.

"And what would convince you to let me keep what I have, get the rest of what I need, and leave with it?"

Maybe it was the audacity of the question, but for whatever reason they were simply silent for a moment. The one acting as spokesperson himself was slightly agog, trying to say something but not able to wrap himself around it. Two of the armed Kon'me were frowning and fingering their blasters, but they didn't aim them, not yet. Finally, the spokesperson turned to one of the others, one who hadn't spoken yet. Remarkably, she was one who had a sense of equanimity, of reasonableness. Yet all they got out of her was a shrug and a couple words.

"Nanbaga che copah."

The spokesperson mirrored that shrug as he turned back to Audren and translated. Market price. That might sound fair to them, and in other cases it would be. Yet when he was the one who put the work into finding it, would be putting the work into mining and refining it, it wasn't so fair. Market price, after all, included the costs of prospecting, mining, and refining, as well as transport and profit. When he stated this though, the spokesperson merely shrugged again.

"You're the one who didn't ask permission first."

 

[Tarrlok]

Location: Bal'demnic
Objective: Diplomatic mission
Post (4)

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Valiens Nantaris"] | [member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

With her gaze originally upon the council that gathered, for the moment she assumed that the Jedi were making progress. Though her sight was compromised for a slight second when the lighting of the room changed. With a sudden urge to squint her eyes her head motioned towards the sound of clapping.

She was now apart of a hostage situation. Just when she was starting to enjoy the scenery, though this was possibly the price to pay for not analyzing the situation further; she was distracted. She, along with the others, heard the mans terms...and before any of them could engage him the High Archon spoke out.

She thought to herself, no one man would be able to pull off a stunt such as this by himself, and he must have been present in the room from the beginning; he was here before they arrived. Her right hand came up and curled around her chin. As dangerous as this was...this was an opportunity to convince their Kon'me associates that they were capable of not only handling situations such as this but also preventing casualties.

"There's no need for any lives to be lost...we'll accept your proposition." she turned and nodded to the Heavenshields, though with something behind the eyes.

Much earlier she had communicated with [member="Matsu Ike"] through her holoprojector. Remembering she had the device, she fiddled around with it in her left hand while she reached for her lightsaber with her right. She knew he would ask them to get rid of them if they had them on their person so she initiated the process. She sat the hilt of her weapon on the table in front of her, while using her thumb to punch in the buttons on her personal device.

She set it only to record the audio of what was going on and she dropped it on her foot to break its fall. Using her index finger on her right hand she swiped the side of her noise, using a very subtle and basic application of telekinesis she slid the device across the floor and a foot or two towards the leg of the table just in front of her; it remained their recording. What was unique was that the connection could be transferred through and picked up by nearby comlinks, if adjusted to the right frequency.

Hopefully someone in the vicinity would pick up the frequency before their opposition did...it was a race of who would act on it first. In the mean time she would try and draw information.

"I must say, there are three high ranking Jedi present...and yet this was completely unexpected. Surely you didn't pull all of this off yourself?"