To See What We Can See...

[Visanj T'shkali]

Where: An undisclosed CIS installation inside Confederate Space.
Who: Visanj T'shkali, [member="Scherezade deWinter"]
When: A week ago.

The Ne’tra’galaar sat at the end of the landing pad, like some giant black bird of prey climbing out of the depths of one’s nightmares. Aries and Tully had just finished making last minute preparations, and Sandy and Lucky were already aboard. Vi stood there outside, dressed in her Wayfarer’s coat, pants, Umbrasuit, and boots, ready to go and waiting on the shuttle with her passengers to arrive as Aries came to stand with her. The old droid was excited, it had been ages since he’d gone a mission and he was anxious to test out his newly-rebuilt body.

“Baroness, I have prepared the guest rooms and other arrangements as you have asked,” Aries reported, adding, “This is going to be fun! Even if it is just a routine scouting mission!”

“Yes, Bucket, yes it will.” Vi said, grinning.

"The ship is ready, when our guest arrives, we'll make immediate departure" Vi heard the Shalya A.I. in her comm implant.

"Thank you."

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Wearing: Armor | Pathfinder Boots | The Forgemaster's Ring | Ring of Stasis | Sofitor
Wielding: 10 Czerka knives | 2 Nastirci Combat Knives | Copero's Wail | Fire and Smoke (lightsabers) | Combat Gauntlets | Knight Obsidian Sword | 2 TOTT-001 Arc Light Blaster | 2 Dissuader K-30 Pistols with Glitter Bullets
Tags: [member="Visanj T'shkali"]

Now that was a ship that looked like a Swiss knife. Scherezade looked at it, raising an eyebrow. She was pretty sure she'd never seen that specific design before, not with her own eyes and not within the memories branded into her mind by her grandmother.

Still, she had been assigned to this today. Part of a stealth mission that would have her to go Taanab. While the details had thus been low for fear of them being uncovered by unsavory people who were better off dead, the Crow was told close to nothing. But she knew how to play connect the dots. She had been and had spoken at the Summit not too long ago, and she knew exactly where Taanab was located – on the border of Mandalorian and Silver space, occupied by the filthy tuna cans.

Whatever this mission was going to entail, she hoped it was going to be a good one. Preferably where she got to pull all her blades out and leave bleeding people behind. Sadly however, she doubted that was how it was going to be – such things were usually saved for the bigger war type of things.

Walking up the ramp and into the Ne'tra'galaar, Scherezade placed the nicest of smiles on her face. Her files would say that she was sent from the Knights Obsidian, that she was one of their Pathfinders. A role she fulfilled extremely well.

"Scherezade deWinter, reporting for duty," she said with a little bounce as she greeted Aries and [member="Visanj T'shkali"], nodding to both women.

 

[Visanj T'shkali]

Visanj grinned at the chipper introduction.

"Greetings Sherezade. All appears to be in order. You know the mission here, right? We're going to get a look at Tanaab, a very close look. I'll fill you in more once we're underway."

“Alright, if you’re ready, we can leave as soon as were settled in. It will be a bit before we get there, so I’ll have Aries here show you around.” Vi said, “Aries, this is Sherezade, a very dear friend and a fellow Confederate. Sherezade, this is Aries, my right-hand man er, droid.”

Aries immediately went to her and put forth his hand, “A pleasure to meet another Confederate! It’s been almost nine centuries since I have served under that flag, and the pleasure is truly mine. Please, let me take your bags?”

“Aries has served my family for centuries. He fought on the Confederate side in the Clone Wars, and later was one of the holdouts during the Reconquest of the Rim. He’s fought Vader face to face actually, and if you ask him about it, he will absolutely talk your ears off with stories about his adventures. I don’t think this trip is long enough for that!” Vi laughed.

“Baroness, you always were a brat!” Aries chimed, only half-jokingly, as he took up her bags and went aboard.

“You can meet everyone once were inside. Any questions before we go?” Vi asked.

As they walked up the ramp, Tully was waiting.

“Vi, the Tin Man’s taken our guest’s things to her quarters, everything is set. And your kid has been warned about her music and behavior.” He said smiling, “Didn’t even have to threaten her with a disruptor this time! I think she’s pretty excited to come along.”

“She’s a future Baroness, Tully, war is her birthright. Dagata won’t follow her if she hasn’t spilled blood. My father and his father never understood that, they felt wealth and politics would be enough. Dagatans are killers, honey, and a Baroness who kills is a Baroness they can love, not merely fear or respect.”

“Well said, Little One.” Came the spectral voice, Shalya approved it would seem. “Now, may we go?”

“Yes, Elder, we may.”

“May the Force Be With Us….” The voice trailed off as the ramp closed and the sounds of the pressurization replaced her.

“Sherezade, this is Tully, my flight officer. Best damned Spacer in the void!”

Tully wiped the grease from his hands onto his trousers then stuck it forward, “Nice to meet you and welcome aboard Vi’s little monster. I think you’ll find our ship is a bit….different….If you feel that you can’t feel the Force, don’t be alarmed. There’s enough ysalamiri onboard to neutralize the whole Jedi Order. But you’ll be fine. This is a cush run. But excuse me, I have some work to do on this shuttle back here, gotta make sure the Beebops are in shape for what’s next.” With that, he turned and went back to working on the shuttle, sliding back beneath of it and mumbling curses as usual.

[member="Scherezade deWinter"]

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Wearing: Armor | Pathfinder Boots | The Forgemaster's Ring | Ring of Stasis | Sofitor
Wielding: 10 Czerka knives | 2 Nastirci Combat Knives | Copero's Wail | Fire and Smoke (lightsabers) | Combat Gauntlets | Knight Obsidian Sword | 2 TOTT-001 Arc Light Blaster | 2 Dissuader K-30 Pistols with Glitter Bullets
Tags: [member="Visanj T'shkali"]

Scherezade nodded and smiled as she was greeted by Visanj. A moment, she paused, after being introduced to Aries as a friend. The blush appeared on her ace but for the shortest of instances; no, it was friendly-speak, not actual friend-speak. The two had never met before today. She allowed herself a moment to breathe; just a year ago, such a statement, even though it was part of that small talk that she was so bad at, would have sent her ree'ing and through the roof with either anxiety or joy, depending on who said it. Now…. Keep cool, was all she whispered to herself inside her head without moving her lips.

"Nine hundred yea-" she mumbled though before she could stop herself. Nine hundred years. That meant that Aries was around when Scherezade's parents ruled the Unknown Territories. Would he have known about it? Was he somewhere that had been aware of their reign? She knew the Core hadn't cared much for yet another Sith kingdom, and that her parents hadn't really bothered with that area of the map, and still… For a split of a moment, she longed to ask about it, to see if she could find some sense for familiarity to Aries through it, without giving away who and what she herself was. And just as quickly, Scherezade released those thoughts.

Did she have any questions before they went? Scherezade shook her head to that. Only distant dreams and curiosity, but this was hardly the time or the place.

Her things were taken to the guest room, and she was left standing there with a person named Tully that had joined them. The Sithling listened quietly to the banter that was going on between them, missing such interactions. She could speak with her sister like that, but it was obvious that all these people had known each other for a long time. She couldn’t help but wonder, why did they even need her? Still, she kept a pleasant expression on her face, making no comment about the future baroness thing, or various permissions.

At last, she greeted Tully, shaking his hands without a care for the oil that was on them.

And only then did she realize. She wasn't entirely feeling herself. She had not scented anyone once she came on the ship. She hadn't thought of it before that moment, but now she realized… She was entirely cut off from the Force. Scherezade frowned. It was one thing to be severed from it; it was quite another to not even realize it until someone else pointed it out. But then why would she be assigned to this ship if it was full of those lizards? The Ministry did know what she was, after all…

"Are we going to do the whole briefing and debriefing protocol?" she asked, trying her best to keep her voice light. "What exactly do you expect me to do?"

 

[Visanj T'shkali]

“Okay, your room is here, on deck two. My daughter, Sandy, is across the hall if you need something, or else simply use the intercom for Aries and he will see to whatever your needs are during the stay. You have free run of the ship, but we’ll give you a tour first, let you get acclimated. This mission is simple: Brass wants eyes on Tanaab. Rumor has it the Beskar Bois have been evacuating civilians, but that doesn’t fit their history. They have never really cared about collateral before. So we’re gonna take a look, see what we can see. No combat, this is pure and simple sneak-and-peek. Anything goes pear-shaped, we’re off like a prom dress, got me? Under zero, and I mean zero, circumstances are we putting this boat or anyone aboard in danger. If by some incredible miracle they even get a funny feeling we might be there and come looking for a fight, we can give ‘em one they won’t soon forget, but we’re making that ‘option Z’. This is just recon.” Vi’s tone was surprisingly more serious and militant than her usual demeanor back on Geonosis, and this was a side of her Sherezade had not seen before.

“The ship’s all about comfort, so while we’re on this little run, feel free to take use of it! The galley has a menu of several thousand dishes, and the pantry’s loaded. You want it, I am pretty sure we have it aboard. Tully wasn’t kidding about the ysalamiri….if you feel nauseous or anything, let Sandy know. Kid’s a whiz with the medic gig, and she’ll get you whole again in a hurry. Aries is my majordomo, as I said, anything you need, call him night or day. We have sixty-two million books on board, full HoloNet, a training room, hot tub, sauna, whatever you need. Aries will show you around if you like.”

“You brought a Sith?” The disembodied voice said.

“Times have changed Elder, some Sith fight alongside the forces of liberty and virtue now.” Vi responded, with Sherezade noting the seriousness of the exchange.

“You, my dear, are Baroness and yes, I am fully caught on galactic history and politics. It’s just I haven’t seen one up close before.” A hologram of a red-haired beauty appeared.

“Sherezade,” said Vi, “Meet my ancestor, or rather, the A.I. based on her, Shalya Mazah, the Grey Lady of Dagata.”

“The pleasure is mine, Sith. The Baroness calls you ‘Sherezade’, shall I as well? I rather like the name. Also, don’t be alarmed, I didn’t sense your Sith training….I sliced your files instead. I am sure you recall the words of Darth Bane from your training, ‘To know is to win.’? I’m not good at losing.” The hologram said, matter of factly, neither menacing nor insincere.

Just then, a willowy teen appeared, flanked by a robust dog. “Hi,” She said, “Name’s Sand’rah, but everyone calls me ‘Sandy’. Vi’s my mom, not my real mom, but she adopted me. This is Lucky! He won’t bite, Vi already programmed him to count you as a friend.” The girl smiled warmly as her dog nuzzled Sherezade’s hand. “Like mom said, if you need somethin’ just ask! So where are you from? Shalya’s right, you do have a pretty name.”

“Nineteen is a fun age, I think if I remember it. Sandy’s a slicer extraordinaire and a top-notch medic. She’s becoming more useful everyday actually. Kid’s smart. Which is why she needs to be studying…” Vi turned to face the girl, who immediately read the expression on Vi’s face.

“Uh, ah, yeah….better get to it. Nice to meet you!” Sandy said, taking Lucky and going back to her room.

“Aries will show you around. We’re cloaked now and underway.” Vi said, “I’ll meet you in the stateroom shortly.”

Vi took a step, then added, "The um, birds, might be interested in the tech we're about to use. I wanted you to see them firsthand, so you could talk to the powers that be about them."

[member="Scherezade deWinter"]

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Wearing: Armor | Pathfinder Boots | The Forgemaster's Ring | Ring of Stasis | Sofitor
Wielding: 10 Czerka knives | 2 Nastirci Combat Knives | Copero's Wail | Fire and Smoke (lightsabers) | Combat Gauntlets | Knight Obsidian Sword | 2 TOTT-001 Arc Light Blaster | 2 Dissuader K-30 Pistols with Glitter Bullets
Tags: [member="Visanj T'shkali"]

Scherezade nodded and remained completely silent, taking in the barrage of words that was flown her way. There were a lot of explanation and a bunch of some very colorful language that she super appreciated, but it was still more words than people usually gave her about missions. Usually it was go do this or oh my Force don't touch that, and the ever loving get the krak away from here. Sometimes they were kind enough to just give her files to read. She'd gotten super fast at that. This… This was different.

And then there was an ancestor. Scherezade couldn't find the words even if she wanted to at that point. All her mind went to was that this was one screwed up family. However, that made her smile. If it weren't for the yslamiri, she might have even gotten entirely comfortable right there and then. Right up until she was told that her files had been sliced.

Now she was interested. Her own files had been sliced several times over – by herself. She knew what the current data claimed. The question was, did the AI truly know? Considering it spoke of her age as being nineteen, and training, she supposed the current datafiles were doing their job. That was good. One instance of getting arrested in ORC space and people knowing more than she wanted to about her was more than enough to initially set her on the path to getting CIS files sliced. A second time would not do. And she was still paying a very hefty price.

As the dog came into view though, the joy on Scherezade's face became impossible to miss, and she crouched down, arms opening wide as she accepted him into the doggiest of hugs. There were few things Scherezade loved more than pets, of almost any kind. She had a Loth Wolf and a duckling, and she also had a dragon egg which she wondered about, whether or not it would hatch and if so, when. It might have taken a forever for her to let him go.

By the time she rose though, there were mentions of birds and powers that be. Scherezade looked at Vi gain, wondering just how high the woman's clearance went. That wasn't something she could check right there and then.

And so, she was left with Aries. "How long is the trip supposed to take?" Scherezade asked, her tone light, "got drop pods or do I do an atmo-jump?" Pausing a moment, Scherezade figured it would be better to explain herself. "I've done it before, but it was with another person and they were more important so I almost died. But I'm pretty sure I could come out alive and walking if I just had myself to take care of. As long as I make it to Taanab in one peace when we actually come full force with the rest of the Confederacy."

 

[Visanj T'shkali]

“Actually, Ms. deWinter, we won’t even be leaving the ship. You heard our Baroness. You’re here to observe her latest technology and prepare a report to take back to the…people…for whom you work. You mustn’t worry about Shalyah, she is opinionated but she didn’t mean any insult before. That is, has, always been her way, to be opinionated.” Aries said.

Aries then took her on a tour. “Here is your room, Sandy’s is across the hall, and through that door is the spa and training area.” Next she followed him up the stairway and into another hall. “Would you like to see the bridge?”

As Sherezade nodded, Aries led her to the left. “The medical bay and armory are here. And, this, is our bridge. I caution you, it isn’t like one you have ever been on before, but don’t be afraid.”

As the door opened, the swirling holograms were the first thing she saw. A galaxy of stars and planets, each in their orbits, circling and buzzing around the room, like a giant star map. But then, Sherezade looked beyond the light show and realized there was no floor, no walls, no cockpit entirely, just open space in every direction, and they were flying in hyperspace! Aries took her gently by the shoulder, “Do not be afraid, what you see here are layered holograms, and Shalya is steering us capably. Perhaps we should go to the stateroom?”

Aries kindly led her back down the corridor into a lavish stateroom, furnished with overstuffed chesterfield chairs and a sofa, upholstered in a buttery, brown leather. A fire crackled in the wall brazier. Sherezade could see the stained glass lamps and laroon wood flooring and paneling. Beyond this, a row of stools stood neatly at a bar before the galley, to the left of which was a large table and chairs. As he led her to sit in one of the chairs, “I know the lizards are troubling for you, but please know, you will acclimate, Vi has. As you see, our Baroness is a woman of many surprises. May I fetch you a drink? Perhaps some food? Our galley can prepare you more than twenty thousand recipes, exact duplicates of the galaxy’s finest chefs. Also, music and media are available at your discretion.”

Aries moved to stand before her, “You know, it’s a real treat for me to be back in the field and serving with the Confederacy once again. Why, I…” Aries was interrupted, as a door slid open and Vi emerged.

“What Aries means to say, is that we’re glad you’re aboard. We will be approaching Tanaab in a little while. We’ll come out of hyperspace inside of the atmosphere, then cloak again. The beskar boys will see an anomaly on their screens, but we’ll be gone again before they come to investigate. The probes we’re deploying are droids, and they’ll map the planet, survey its environment, the Mandos’ numbers and technologies, everything we will need for next week’s actions. Then, on our *clears throat* return, they will serve as forward observation for our friends. With these, the Confederacy can perform recon with little risk and we’ll have an edge when we come back. Drink?”

[member="Scherezade deWinter"]

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Wearing: Armor | Pathfinder Boots | The Forgemaster's Ring | Ring of Stasis | Sofitor
Wielding: 10 Czerka knives | 2 Nastirci Combat Knives | Copero's Wail | Fire and Smoke (lightsabers) | Combat Gauntlets | Knight Obsidian Sword | 2 TOTT-001 Arc Light Blaster | 2 Dissuader K-30 Pistols with Glitter Bullets
Tags: [member="Visanj T'shkali"]

Not leaving the ship, staying there just to observe. Right. Scherezade was still going to have to adjust o that – who thought it would be smart to let her just observe, and not be in on the thick of the action? Later, she would think it was funny. For the moment though, she was slightly overwhelmed, and decided to just continue the whole smiling and nodding thing.

Bridge, medical bay, ARMORY! She wanted to spend more time there if their schedule permitted it, but right now was not completely the time. And then…

"What?" she mumbled, looking at the open space. Moving again, stateroom, and at last – furniture. Scherezade took one of the chairs, finding herself pretty much agreeing with the entire portion of the surprises.

"Full fat cream, ice cubes," she tried to give a relaxed smile. That was what she always drank. She knew this. "I don't suppose you got bantha wings?" not refined tastes at all; the meal was served quite literally anywhere, but it wasn't considered classy or even fancy.

Then, more listening. But this time, Scherezade felt like she was already breathing normally. This was familiar territory. "What type of information do you expect to observe?" she asked, "I mean, Taanab is mostly an agriculture planet and there's like, one or two silly little clans on it, no? Are we expecting the Mandalorians to bring in some heavy duty crap?"