When you need a Friend - Call me (FWC, ML)

[Chekīta Kaie]

Chketia gave a light shrug at [member="Theo Vereen"] as he went to work on the radio, 'maybe I should have mentioned the part about passing a test before considered date material'. Maybe an odd rule to some, but for a Mandaloiran willing to marry outside the clan, finding a strong a worth warrior as a partner was a very high prerequisite. Continuing to only the craft she could only raise an eye brow at the Theo's message, not the most elaborate or informative, they were looking for droids after all, beings like that would require more information then that. "You could not have been any blunter, true I ain't the most... how would you say, elegant but I know how to send out a message".

"You really apart of the royal house? if so I worry to think about the state of Alderaan", she replied with a small chuckle, awaiting a replied form anyone within the system. Where her hopes high? well in all honesty she did not know what to expect, this more core area of space being new waters from the Mandaloiran, anything could come as a surprise or as expected, the only thing one could do now was wait.

[member="WD-334"] l [member="Theo Vereen"] l @Ra'a'mah

 

[Riamah]

The mutual messages seemed to cross each other in space and when WD pointed out their reception of the one sent by the Coalition Task Force, she opened up a live connection right away.

"This is Ra'a'mah Numare of the Metal Lord merchant fleet. HK is not present on any of my ships. I think we are all that is left. I welcome you to rendezvous and board my ship. Thank you for coming."

The repeated message was ended and now she waited on a reply from this Task Force sent to lend them aid. Turning to WD, Ra gave him a smile of relief and a nod. She would accompany him to meet with these people in the hanger bay. An invitation was sent and once they got a response back, they would make their way to the hanger bay to welcome their rescue.

An order was sent and relayed through the ship to expect the company and something prepared to receive them. At the moment, there wasn't as much room as Ra would normally have on board. With as much of the Metal Lord population she could pick up and had been wanting to come with her here, they were pretty crowded on the massive ships.

[member="Chekīta Kaie"] [member="WD-334"] [member="Theo Vereen"]

 

[Theo Vereen]

[member="Chekīta Awaud"]

"Date material?" Theo shook his head, "I got a check list for dates. Believe me...if you can get past my grandmother it would be worth taking you to dinner" His grandmother the grand poobah of who are you to date my grandchildren.

Yep last girl who just came by to pick up books for class his Grandmother made the poor girl so uncomfortable that she refused to talk to Theo. Arianna Organa had a sharp tongue and made short work of anyone who couldn't stand toe to toe with her.

"I am part of the Royal House. It's not a big secret. Alderaan...my sister gets it. She...well...who knows. It will be awhile so its in good hands with my mother" He sighed yeah yeah pick on the prince of alderaan poor dear silver spoons, etc etc.

Except his mother had made sure that silver spoon was earned, and that he picked up his own socks. Even if his father didn't.

"Someone named @Ra'a'mah is looking for a meet up." Theo looked over, "signal comes from that way...we should..go there." Ra'a'mah well well....who was she?

 

[Chekīta Kaie]

Chekita was unsure of how [member="Theo Vereen"] managed to read her mind and come to that conclusion, was he force sensitive? If that was the case she would need to keep her thoughts in check, "your grandmother hu? I belive I would be able to handle her, I an't no stranger to grumpy old people".

Did not mean it would not ba a challenge, people of age often knew a few tricks and surprises that the younger once did not know, but as before Theo needed to past her test before even the concept of dating came up, and boy was there already a long list of men going after her.

"I was not questioning your royal linage, more that, don't you guy learn to talk good and stuff, you sounded like your average freighter captain", she was just not expecting royalty to be so casual, more for such a 'maybe' dangerous mission. The conversation was interrupted when a signal came through from a woman named [member="Ra'a'mah"] of the merchant fleet, and interesting development but also a morbid one, they claimed to be the only ones left, not good.

"Yes yes mister royalty on my way", he replied, turning the ship control to redirect their course towards the signal, slowly a large ship coming into view, a cargo vessel of sorts, alone, no escort or anything else. "This looks like the place, want to inform Ra'a'mah that we have arrived".

 

[WD-334]

WD-334 waited in hangar, having transferred into it's larger body. No doubt they would be docking soon. Though @Ra'a'mah would have likely received a shock from WD's protocol body just collapsing. There it waited with a couple of guard. While there, it attempted to connect to Ra, "I am ready for arrival in hangar." And there the droid waited for the Free World Coalition forces to arrive.

 

[Theo Vereen]

"Oh she's a bit above Grumpy. She's maddening." Yeah he could say that about her but he could also say, "She just wants what is best for the family. She just has this really horrid way of showing it." He shrugged his shoulders. It was time to work and sometimes talking about his family just complicated working.

He wished he could run off like Laira. But she had already hurt their mother by her absence he just couldn't bring himself to do the same.

"I had all the best teachers that my parents could get. High Alderaani doesn't make you friends, and I just want to fit in more than stick out." Surely she could understand that. Almost anyone could.

He sent the message to @Ra'a'mah that they had arrived. It was now that they'd learn more, least that was his train of thought.

[member="WD-334"] | [member="Chekīta Awaud"]

 

[Riamah]

Guidance was given to which hanger for them to fly into. She would be there to meet with them along with WD-334 in his proper body. This may have been a home for her, but it wasn't her only one. Here she had to maintain a secrecy on her Force ability and kept that buried. That was just how she liked it as well.

She wore something comfortable to work in. Not a uniform as she wasn't military, but it was different than what her crew wore. Her hair was pulled back into a braid which kept the stray parts out of her face and eyes. They were naturally a gold color and not touched by any corruption for which she was thankful for.

Watching as they ship came in, when they were landed, Ra approached them openly. A little worn out, but otherwise, she was fine. With WD at her side, he might be an imposing figure. These people had come to help though and she hoped he knew that. The war droid could be touchy right now. Considering the droids did not have emotions, it was sometimes odd how they acted to certain things.

"Welcome to the Tarkhan. I am Ra'a'mah Numare and captain this fleet."

[member="Theo Vereen"] [member="WD-334"] [member="Chekīta Awaud"]

 

[Chekīta Kaie]

"Well when considering you are royalty and all would not want people of the wrong crow coming into the folly and making a fool out of the family name and what not". Though Chekita did wonder about bow royal spouses where picked, where the members of the family allowed to date anyone they wanted? Would that mean people of lower birth would be able to ascend to royal status if they where to marry someone like Theo? 'Guess that is why they call it free world coalition'.

While the man continued to yabber on Chekita slowly guided the ship into the hanger day as directed by some droid on the end of the comlink, setting the shuttle down in the rather empty space shutting down it's engine and other landing regulations, couldn't be sloppy even if her passenger was. "Well we are here and not dead, that's a good start", she replied getting ready to disembark from the ship, following the FWC representative, though keeping a wary eye on the Red head and her accompanying droid. "[member="Ra'a'mah"] hu, so this fleet, is it like an independent trade thing so all the planets are able to get stuff, since all the self rule mubo jumbo you guys have".

[member="Theo Vereen"] - [member="WD-334"]

 

[WD-334]

WD-334 stood at attention by @Ra'a'mah's side. The ship of the FWC began arriving into the hangar, and WD seemed to feel tense somewhat. Then it touched down, and the droid felt as if it should move towards the ship, and 'greet them' with a thorough search. But, instead it remained by Ra's side as the FWC representatives came aboard. It looked them both over while standing as Ra's guard of sorts, rather than companion.

[member="Chekīta Awaud"]
[member="Theo Vereen"]

 

[Theo Vereen]

[member="WD-334"] | [member="Chekīta Awaud"] | @Ra'a'mah

"I suppose. Though I'm told she hated my father." He laughed yeah he had heard those stories for years growing up. Yep Grandma was a piece of work.

"So glad we made it in once piece. Not dead really is the way to go." He winked at her to let her know he was teasing. Yep. Time to work chit chat done. They headed toward the small group waiting for them.

Theo looked across to the Metal Lord representatives. He heard Chekita speak and ask about the fleet Theo however spoke up, "Greetings I'm Captain Theo Vereen of the Coalition Rangers this is my parter Chekita Awaud. It sounds like you could use some assistance." He looked from Ra to WD.

 

[Riamah]

Welcoming the two of them aboard, Ra stepped to the side and invited them to join the small party greeting them. The woman spoke first and asked exactly what the fleet was for, but did not offer her own name as introduction.

"Independent trade. Interesting concept and thought there. As a merchant fleet and lead of it, I have reached out to different people and groups to establish trade between the Metal Lords and themselves. The only real rule I need to follow is not to make deals with Sith."

It was very much unknown to the Metal Lords she could use the Force at all, never mind the fact she followed the Sith Code. All that being said, Ra sometimes questioned just how Sith she was. Keeping her alignment hidden as well as her Force ability was second nature to her now and there would be no easy way to tell what she was. One thing about her, she still preferred to solve things by using logic over that of the Force or violence. Resorting to both of those only if there was nothing else she could think of.

Turning to look at Theo as he spoke, he gave both of their names and who they were with. A sad look crossed her face for just a moment before it became neutral again.

"Assistance is a little late, I'm afraid. This is pretty much all that is left of the Metal Lords. Only reason we got away is because my ships don't pose a threat. At least that is my theory on the matter. Maybe also to spread word of C-02, but I don't have the mind of droid, I just work with them."

[member="Theo Vereen"] [member="WD-334"] [member="Chekīta Awaud"]

 

[Chekīta Kaie]

Chekita just gave a small playful glare at [member="Theo Vereen"] as they excited the craft, going to a more professional tone at the metal lords representative came closer, though it seemed a little odd that the Metal Lords would have a human at the head of the merchant fleet. Maybe she was an android or perhaps it was better to have the trading people human, droids could only do so much, "making deals with Sith, like they would want to anyways, ain't they all about strength and power"? "Not sure accepting help from outside would go down to well with them", he replied following this [member="Ra'a'mah"].

Seemed like a sound trading rule, but the big question was what happened to the Metal Lords, that was what herself and Theo where here to look for, a question soon answered by their head haired friend. "Wait the entirety of the metal lords, gone, just like that? How, when? Sure she did not know a lot about the Metal Lords, but for a government that controlled several big trade worlds to just, vanish, or be defeated this quickly?

[member="WD-334"]

 

[WD-334]

WD-334 stood at attention as the three organics conversed before it and it's small guard. It listened, and then one spoke that they were here to provide assistance. Then @Ra'a'mah answered to them that assistance was much too late. [member="Chekīta Awaud"] asked how and when, and WD was quick to answer. "A rogue lord decimated our forces. Left us alive. As a reminder of their power." C-02 seemed like the type to do that. Otherwise why else leave them alive? But WD was sure of one thing. They would surely return one day.

[member="Theo Vereen"]

 

[Theo Vereen]

[member="WD-334"] | [member="Chekīta Awaud"] | @Ra'a'mah

He was stunned when Ra'a'mah said they were all that was left. He was forming his own question when Chekita pulled the very thought from his mind. Yes how was this possible?

He looked around finally he saw the sad faces, they had lost their home? Perhaps family. Who knew exactly the cost that had been exacted from the Metal Lords to placate the new conqueror. A reminder.

Pretty fething convincing reminder. Kill everyone except one - legends are born and fear is set upon the hearts of the faint in spirit. War cost a great deal and that could be seen right now.

"Does anyone require medical attention?" He just wanted to get them out of here and to the Core. But they would need to try and find out a bit more about what happen. As caring and charitable a heart as he had he didn't want to invite vipers to his home. Just a little more information from the survivors would convince him.

 

[Riamah]

WD answered the question before she could give voice in a very simple, but straight forward manner. No sugar coating the words. Such was the way with droids though and she expected nothing less. In a way, Ra found it a little amusing and now sad at the same time.

If somebody had told her two years ago she would be leading a merchant fleet, working with droids and robots for a living, she would have laughed at them. Never once in her life did she imagine she would be in a position such as this or ever consider these droids as friends and allies.

For a few moments there was stunned silence between them as WD's and her answers sunk in. Soon enough though, Theo asked if anyone required medical attention.

"I think we got lucky in that aspect. There weren't many organics such as myself involved in the attacks. Our fighters are piloted by droids programmed for that purpose. There are some though that took bruising and broken bones that have been set by our medical droids. Very little loss of organic life."

That said nothing about the loss of droids though.

[member="Theo Vereen"] [member="WD-334"] [member="Chekīta Awaud"]

 

[Chekīta Kaie]

A rouge metal lord? "They must have moved very fast to take power, but letting you go free, well that was not a good move, know people will know of him and I really doubt that a single rouge metal lord could take on a full scale retaliation force". It was often why she had a no survivor policy when it came to certain jobs, people left behind often just became problems later, something this new metal lords would feel once the FWC got organized.

"So now that you have gotten away and don't seem much of a problem, unless mister metal face comes back, how are you to proceed? are you going to ask for FWC intervention? Judging from what you have said this rouge lord does not seem to like organics much". Though it was to be expected, with droid getting artificial intelligence and forming human like emotion it would only be a matter of time until there was a war of sort, from what she knew HK had kept things, 'peaceful' but with his departure there was now nothing stopping certain metal lords from rising up.

Though it was understandable to some extent in the long run it never solved anything and those that wanted freedom from oppression often became the new oppressors.

@Ra'a'mah - [member="WD-334"] - [member="Theo Vereen"]

 

[WD-334]

WD-334 listened to @Ra'a'mah as she spoke, keeping it's receptors upon her. They had been so lucky in the combat, that they had managed to get out so quickly and unscathed. But still...why. Why let them go? [member="Chekīta Awaud"] voiced his opinion on it, and WD had to agree to it. It was not strategic. Perhaps it was a show of ego, making them feel defeated. To show off a victory and have them live with defeat. A foolish tactic in the end, indeed.

The Metal Lord pair were asked a question and the droid left it to Ra to answer. In it's eyes, or rather it's receptors, she was in charge as her ships were the ones to have survived.

[member="Theo Vereen"]