These Shattered Stars -- Logs

The group of travelers has found information about Senator Kalatis' hidden location, and is trying to make a plan to invade it. They've decided to talk to the local officials to see if anyone might help them with this task, or if they have to risk their home and transportation, the Platinum Eclipse on this venture.

Freyja heads into City Hall and finds Kal, since he's their sole contact there. Perhaps he'd be willing to offer advice or assistance in exchange for the updated vids of parts of the planet. Kal is, as usual, at his post at the information desk. He shows them into a more private office for this discussion, and settles slowly into a battered old chair. There are places to sit or stand as people prefer. He asks, "So, what have y'all found out?"

Freyja waves a golden hand at Zero, since he's got the relevant information. Zero says, "Primarily that our target has made himself quite a fortified bolt-hole on your planet. More to the point, said bolt-hole is at the heart of those sectors of your local land-grant records that seem to have... gone missing... to use a polite euphemism."

Kal says, "What?!" and then, "Show me." He looks intently at the maps and photos Zero and Fhazil lay out. He is unhappy at the hidden entrance, angered by the size of the base, and bordering on irate at the hidden guns, "This goes against all the things we do around here!"

Freyja smiles faintly, watching with a certain sympathy. She understands clearly not only why there are still extremely powerful social hosting conventions on Balmorra, but also why someone like this not only strikes at the heart of Hosting, but is actively dangerous to the others on the planet.

Fhazil says, "It is unfriendly indeed. I'm surprised to hear you feel so strongly against it, though. After all, you said you used to camp with a minefield... that's hardly overly friendly."

Freyja grins. Zero says, "Minefields don't require several armed guards and make the person laying them disappear afterward."

Freyja nods, "And they're expected in the field."

Kal says, "That's different! That's trying not to be eaten by hostile critters. The woodsmen's minefields are all really visible to a sentient. Since most animals don't read much, they might trigger them. Even just the mines being visible is enough to keep many critters away -- and that's just fine with us. This isn't aimed at critters. This is aimed at people. The only way we survive here on Garqi is by working together and helping each other out."

Freyja nods again, then curiously asks, "Have you ever had anything like this here before? How did you handle it, if so?"

Fhazil says, "Ah. I understand."

Kal says, "This bastard has got to go!" He replies to Freyja, "Occasionally we get a squatter. Usually we turn 'em over to Tax Assessment, they pay up, and become a regular resident. Some of them want not to be known as who they were before... some of our best citizens fall in that category. That doesn't bother me much, as long as they're not working against everyone else. Privacy is no problem. Antagonism is." He continues, "I suspect that this guy's a little too much for the tax guys to handle, though."

Freyja nods slowly, "So ordinarily you'd send Tax Assessment around to them first, then? Ah... he's more, um... antagonistic than most squatters?"

Zero says, "I suspect Tax Assessment is not equipped to handle several guards, a probable ion emplacement, and possible Force users." Freyja nods quietly and thoughtfully.

Kal says, "I've never seen a squatter with ion guns, pretty lady -- that's what I mean. This is too big for our Tax Assessor." He sighs, "So, what'd we usually do? I guess I'd talk to the Mayor, and he and I'd think about it. We wouldn't call the Republic, because a Peaceforcer here is more trouble than anyone wants, and it'd take months to get here." He looks at the travelers and adds, "I might call the Jedi, were any around, too."

Freyja smiles at Kal, then says slowly, "Well, then... it appears we'll have to pay a visit." She adds thoughtfully, "Do you pilot, honorable Kal?"

The tall man says, "Me? No, but I know someone who does, and who'd be just as bent out of shape as I am about this." He taps his finger on the map and adds, "I doubt a few ion guns will bother this person, either, although it's probably best not to dwell on that too much."

Freyja looks a bit warily amused, "Ion guns wouldn't bother them due to their being well armored, or due to their being one of those reckless pilots with something to prove?" She grins, pointedly not looking at Fhazil. Fhazil looks intently uncomprehending, giving Freyja a little 'moi?' look. Vakkal grins widely, though. Freyja giggles quietly behind one golden hand at that.

Kal grins at this interplay, then says, "Let's say their ship is well armored, and not think too hard about why. If you want someone who can get you there then I know this fellow can do it. I might even be able to help talk him into it."

Freyja looks faintly puzzled, "Why would it be unusual to armor a ship on a planet like this?"

Kal chuckles, "Not unusual at all! Or to arm it -- particularly to arm it. Some of the big critters out there are dangerous! You bet, that's just why he has this ship. He's been a very good explorer and prospector out here, and the lumber-cutters always like his finds and his help."

Freyja studies the older Human male thoughtfully for a moment, not quite understanding whatever subtext he's trying to conceal... then simply smiles and shrugs gracefully, "If he's willing to work with us, we would be most pleased. What is his name? Is he in the field currently, or in the city -- do you know?"

Kal says, "Maybe, in fact, it would be best if you didn't ask too many hard questions along that line of this person. Given that, I think he'd be willing to help out, particularly if I went along and introduced you."

Freyja raises a quiet eyebrow, but says nothing. Instead she murmurs quietly, Is there anyone on this planet who doesn't know this man, I wonder? It must be even more clannish than I initially anticipated -- his voucher seems to open all doors.

Kal says, "Hmm. Dunno off the top of my head, but I can find out in a jiffy." He picks up the comm., calls the spaceport, and talks animatedly with the operators. One phrase, "crusty old bastard," drifts out of the comm, to which Kal merely chuckles and says, "All rightie! Thank you, fellows, that's all I needed to know." Kal looks back to Freyja, "He is handy. Shall we go see if he's busy?"

Zero says, "By all means."

Freyja nods quietly, "Please."

Fhazil replies, Isn't it always easier if you know someone? I mean, this guy might be happy to do business with us anyway, but with Kal along he'll give us better rates and skip the haggling. Or maybe be willing to admit he can cope with ion guns.

Freyja, who is in very light clothing anyway, suddenly remembers poor Manishsha's discomfort in the heat and humidity. "Would you rather stay on the ship, Mek?"

The Kushiban says, "I'm acclimating, and I think this is a person I want to meet." He smiles, "Hopefully we'll talk inside and the humidity won't be too high."

Kal smiles, "All right then." He picks up the comm again and places a call, "Heya! Is Kal!" and then, "Yah. Might have some work for you. Be obliged if you'd help out, too. Rat-bastard's gone and built himself a bunker on our nice little world." A pause, then, "Hokay, we'll come." He signs off, then says, "Let's go talk to a big man about getting his help." He grins and leads the way, pausing to pick up an extremely weather-beaten hat and a blaster rifle from the coat check by the door.

Freyja listens with interest, hearing Shyriiwook's distinctive sounds coming through blurrily on the comm -- sounds like a new Wookiee expletive! Master Roakkana would never teach her those. She wonders thoughtfully if rats on Shyriiwook have problems with bastardy, and what that is. She beams happily -- something new to do research on!

Zero adds, They don't have rats on Kashyyyk. They have tachs. Which are about the same, except they're the size of your average hunting hound.

Freyja happily follows, relieved they're making progress. She beams at Zero, Hai, isn't it interesting? So what's a rat-bastard then? Something that eats the tachs, or the tachs eat?

Zero gives Freyja a look, Uh... you do know what a bastard is, yes?

Freyja shakes her head interestedly, Neh, what is it?

Zero narrows his eyes a bit. It's one thing to be naive, but... An out-of-wedlock child. In most feudal cultures they have no right to succession.

Freyja looks curious, Well, of course they don't. They're the love children of your paramours. You want your business partner's child to inherit the family Hausa. She adds cheerfully, Although you can adopt them if the business marriage is between individuals who can't normally breed.

Fhazil notes, It can also be used an a derogatory insult and as a form of villainy, probably from that original base. Calling someone a bastard is to insult them, to tell them they're an unwanted, unrecognized, worthless person.

Zero nods, It doesn't work that way in most cultures. It's a derogatory term.

Freyja blinks at the information that it's derogatory, then says thoughtfully, How... sad. It makes the wedded people sound so... insecure. She glances thoughtfully at Fhazil, I bet the Sith are like that, aren't they? They have that weird possessive form of marriage, after all.

Kal leads the way to a the spaceport hanger, and into the darker and more disused-looking end of it. Parked there in the huge building is a decrepit old spaceship. It's a little smaller than the Eclipse, and it looks old, battered, and ill-maintained. Burn marks bleed aft from the engines, and out of several formerly damaged portions as well. In some long-gone age the ship had some kind of paint or emblem on it, but it's faded and burned to unrecognizability. Presuming it's operational, it should be capable of interstellar or atmospheric flight, but it looks battered at best.

Vakkal looks over the ship, curiously. Fhazil is also eying it carefully, and walks a little ways away from the others, carefully looking at the engines. Freyja looks interestedly at the ship as well, consigning other people's mental issues to later research. She says softly, "Goodness. This would fit right in to that shipyard orbiting Zhar, wouldn't it?"

Zero says, "Yes. Except that this one's real."

Fhazil says, "Perhaps more than you'd think." He rejoins the group and adds silently, These engines, despite looking burned and unwholesome, are in perfect order. This is all cosmetic.

Freyja looks at Zero interestedly, "Neh spoofing, eh?" then walks over to examine the ship more closely, curious as to whether it's really that battered or not. At Fhazil's comment she smiles quietly -- thought so! She idly examines the battered insignia, wondering where the ship initially hailed from.

Zero nods. "I'd guess that these engines are rebuilds and work perfectly. The casing is simply let go. It's a wonderful cover."

Freyja grins at her friends, Works for us, after all!

Kal has gone up to the lock, and pressed the comm button. The door hisses open slowly and smoothly, and a Wookiee calls out in Shyriiwook, "Come in, Kal, others." A voder next to the door panel translates.

Zero says, "The Zhar ships had been blasted to look old. This one... is old."

Fhazil says, "That's very true." Freyja heads on over to rejoin her friends, curious about the Wookiee who flies this ship. Must be really big inside.

Freyja has a faintly speculative look on her face as she joins the others, and she's now looking around interestedly as she enters the ship with the others. Hey, guys? I was looking at the ship's heraldry... it's very old, and very damaged by time and wear. But this is interesting... it looks more official/governmental than commercial, and really old. Like hundreds of years, I'm guessing?

Kal says, "C'mon," and goes in. The inside of the ship is pretty much one giant room. A few old marks can be seen where someone has removed some interior partitions. There is a big, flat, Wookiee-shaped nest near a large, water-equipped bath/shower. Another wall has a food storage and production area, which is tidily folded out of the way.

The floor has, oddly, been padded and carpeted, as has the ceiling. Being a spaceship, and apparently a working one, there isn't a lot of clutter or loose material around. Despite that, it's comfortable looking, reasonably snug, and looks like it has been well lived in for a very long time.

Freyja looks faintly envious -- an actual liquid-water bath! She looks around interestedly. The controls are at the front of the ship, big flight couches which face away from the open room to the controls and viewports. The owner is a very old Wookiee, light brown fur graying with age, who is sitting on the large, slightly bowl-shaped bed/couch, regarding these newcomers placidly.

Zero quietly taps his foot against the floor. This room is not as tall as it should be. Smuggler, perhaps? Freyja smiles, putting up one hand and politely nodding in a proper Wookiee greeting, "Heiyo, honored Wookiee."

Kal says, "Heya, W'rroth. Thank you for seeing us. These visitors have brought me some unpleasant news about things happening here. There is a new and apparently nasty tick dug into our quiet home. This is not something I or anyone here in the city can really pursue on our own. For their own reasons they wish to do something about this. They will, however, need to get there."

Freyja blinks, wondering how she could miss something so obvious as low ceilings on a Wookiee's ship, considering she spent almost a decade with one... then just shrugs and smiles at Zero, Wouldn't surprise me, if this place is really crawling with people looking to forget their past. She watches the Wookiee, wondering how he'll react to them.

Zero mms. I could be jumping to conclusions. It could just be water storage.

Freyja nods silently, Don't know.

W'rroth says, "Come in. Sit if you like." A voder translates, assuming those in the room don't speak his language. He seems mildly surprised, quietly pleased, and amused someone knows a proper greeting. He smiles politely at Freyja, and then looks at Kal and asks, "Why not call Republic? We pay too many taxes to get too little. Let them come deal with this."

Freyja settles gracefully cross-legged on the padded floor near the nest. Zero chooses to stand, hands clasped behind his back. Manishsha moves in, says, "Greetings, fine ser," and finds a place to sit. Vakkal tries unobtrusively to sit between Freyja and the unknown, apparently grumpy Wookiee, winding up mostly behind her. Fhazil settles next to where Zero is standing, with Kal standing closer.

Kal smiles and says, "You know my answer to part of that. We pay almost no taxes and get plenty for it. We've had that argument before. And you know perfectly well that any assistance we'd ask for would be ages coming." He gestures, "Why wait, when these folks are here and will help us?" The old Wookiee looks at the people he doesn't know, and asks, "Why is this any of your concern?"

Freyja thinks a moment, then simply says with the forthrightness she knows Wookiees prefer, "We have old arguments with this person. Stopping him from continuing to harm others is the right thing to do."

Zero adds, May I? I know some small things about Wookiee culture.

Freyja murmurs, Of course, Zero.

Fhazil replies, I would have thought Freyja would too. I am happy to let you two do the talking. He looks like a shag rug to me -- they all do! -and I'd rather not have him be an angry one.

Vakkal's mental whisper comes, I propose Fhazil not talk... Freyja smiles.

Zero says, "If I may, this person we are seeking has shown to be on the whole without honor. And his-" He pauses to give Fhazil a sharp look, That is my Master's species you're referring to there, Fhazil -- watch your tongue, before continuing, "Pardon me. His actions endanger this entire planet. I understand well your valued anonymity. I promise you that he attracts an element which would like nothing better than to evaporate it."

Freyja murmurs quietly, He's just teasing, Zeriza.

Wookiee eyes narrow, and a hard glare flicks to Kal, then back to Zero. The Wookiee asks quietly, "Who said anything about anonymity?"

Zero says, "If I may be perfectly honest, ser Wookiee... It seems to be an open secret that this planet is on the whole populated by individuals who would prefer that their business remain their own and no one else's."

Freyja murmurs calmly, "The heavily scarred heraldry on your ship said you value anonymity. That, and your unusual name. There seems to be a penchant for non-species specific names here."

The Wookiee considers what Zero said, then replies, "You are very observant. In many ways this is good. Someday perhaps you will learn to be a little more circumspect, and then it will be better. He looks at Freyja, "Huh. Here I thought it just meant it had been two hundred years since I'd thought it worth hiring a painter. Silly me."

Freyja remains silent, steadily observing the Wookiee. She knows -- as does everyone here -- there are a few other reasons as well, but she sees no reason to rise to the bait. Zero's face is impassive. If he shows any irritation at all, it's in flicking his braid over his shoulder to curl around his neck. Freyja murmurs quietly, "Should we take that as your answer to your friend's request to aid us, then?"

W'rroth replies easily, "No. I'm just a crotchety old man. Ask anybody."

Manishsha waits for the voder to translate this all, then says, "Ser, Kal has told us you are one who can help us solve this problem we have. This is important to both your planet and to us. If we are not able to collect this person, many much more unpleasant people will be along to do so, which would be a great difficulty for everyone. If just for your own comfort, we could very much use your help."

Freyja winces mentally at the slight voder squeal as the Wookiee's and the Kushiban's voders cross-translate, and grins internally. The Wookiee listens to the Kushiban's words, and considers the little rabbit-like man intently. This does not worry Manishsha, who returns his gaze evenly and levelly, but not antagonistically. W'rroth finally looks up and says, "Why do you want my help?"

Freyja doesn't roll her eyes. Instead she politely says, "As your friend has already informed you, we wish to capture someone here who is bad for the planet. You have a good ship for this, or so we have been informed. Were we incorrectly advised?"

W'rroth replies, "So you said. What requires my help rather than anyone else's? Why are you bothering me rather than the other flyboys at the 'port?"

Kal murmurs, "Show him what you've found."

Freyja gives Kal a faintly amused look at the question, then nods when Kal fields it. Zero offers the Wookiee a holoprint. "The other 'flyboys' don't seem confident in their capacity to weather ion fire."

The print looks small in the Wookiee's big paw. He considers it, then murmurs, "I suspect Kal didn't feel confident in their capacity to weather ion fire. Most of them would tell you they could handle this easily." He looks up at Zero and smiles, adding, "But you apparently want to live, so you're here. I approve."

Freyja remains circumspectly silent. She waits for a while, then finally sighs internally and murmurs, "May we take that as a hai, you'll help, then?"

W'rroth asks, "What is it you want? And what has this rat-bastard done that is so unpleasant?" The insult sounds funny coming from the flat voice of the voder, and the Shyriiwook is actually closer to 'someone so twisted they want intercourse with a tach, and stupid enough to try it.'

Zero says, "Transportation. And how does solicitation of serial murder sound to you?"

Freyja blinks, then covers a grin at that. Instead she simply says, "We'd like a flight in to that location." She looks at the others, "What do you think would be wisest -- land, or take an air sled in?"

The old Wookiee says, "Transportation is easy. Serial murder isn't my style. Or is that what this person has done?"

Freyja smiles, "He's answering your second question, hai."

The Wookiee also waves a hand at the holo and says, "You take an air-sled in here, and you'll be crashing into untamed jungle. You'd last about an hour, maybe less. It would be a bad idea." He looks back at Freyja and says, "I can see why he'd hide like this, then."

Freyja says, "Ah, so you suggest landing your ship there, so we can enter?" She's not above letting the Wookiee talk himself into doing whatever is necessary to make this mission work.

The Wookiee says, "I'd suggest you land whatever you take there, if you plan on entering and getting out again. I suggest it be something that can withstand the ion guns or worse, if they're actually centrally powered heavy repeating blasters, which they might be."

Freyja sighs, "Thank you for the advice. Have you decided if you'd like to aid us or neh, please?" The others can actually feel a faint flicker of irritation as the Wookiee gives advice they already know, and backs out yet again of any commitment.

He says, "Because Kal sent you, and because this person's a very-unwholesome, advice is free. If you want my help, I'll need to charge you for it. If we agree to terms, you've got all the help I can give." Again, the voder fails on the insult -- something about carcasses rotting in the sun.

Freyja suppresses the urge to roll her eyes yet again, simply saying, "Indeed. What terms?"

W'rroth says, "How long do you expect your invasion to take? One day or more? How many people?"

Freyja murmurs calmly, "What assurance do we have you will be circumspect about our plans?"

The Wookiee says, "You have my word that I won't discuss this with anyone."

Freyja has abruptly had quite enough of this, and her usual politeness goes out with an almost audible mental snap! "How nice. We are going to do our best to take care of a possible Dark Force user, another Wookiee, several Humans, and one Rodian who's done more to advance the Sith Empire's war efforts than most Sith Lords."

Her eyes flash as she adds sharply, "Digger Dale the Hutt is willing to help us and is not demanding anything in return. You won't. Do please let us know if you suffer a change of conscience!" She bounds lightly to her feet and stalks out. Her thoughts are seething, and as she heads down the gangplank the others on her link can feel her attempts to calm and center herself.

Zero turns, and throws his braid over his shoulder. "We have nothing further to discuss here." He goes.

Vakkal follows Freyja quickly and wordlessly. Fhazil stands and bows before he leaves, following Zero. Manishsha says, "Thank you for your time and consideration," then also follows, meeting the others outside.

Freyja marches out past the Wookiee's dock, then pauses long enough to take several deep breaths. She sighs, then looks ruefully at the others, "That wasn't very... serene of me, but I fear I'd suddenly had quite enough."

Zero shakes his head. "A breach of the Jedi Code, perhaps, but we were unlikely to make any more progress with that one at any rate."

Freyja sighs again, heading for the spaceport's entrance and not waiting for Kal -- she doesn't want to put the poor Human into a difficult position by waiting for him. "Hai, I fear you are right, until he decides to trust us." She frowns thoughtfully, "Well. We should not plan on his aid. Currently our plan is to use the Eclipse, then, hai? That, or we could try going overland... but I'm getting the definite idea that's not smart, even if we can talk to the animals."

Zero says, "The Eclipse is our safest gamble, but a gamble nonetheless."

Freyja nods quietly to Zero, "I think you may be right. If Watcher Manishsha cannot pilot, and we want the ship to not land, we'll have to modify who stays on the ship, and take him downside with us." She looks unhappy, "I am not thrilled at losing either you or Fhazil to piloting. Do you think it would be possible to land? Then we could have someone simply disable the ability to have another ship take off, somehow, maybe? Would that work?"

Zero says, "Not from outside. And not without knowing what sort of launch arrangements they have made."

Freyja hmms, deep in thought as she paces along. "Is the opening big enough to land a ship in? Could we block it with, say, a pushed-over tree?"

Zero says, "The problem, my love, is that there may be other, better-concealed launch exits we missed."

Freyja frowns, "Well, drat. Excellent point."

Zero says, "Otherwise we could simply park the Eclipse in the path and call it done."

Freyja nods, counting on her slender fingers, "All right, so we definitely need a good pilot topside. We need to get there, past the ion cannons. We need to get in safely, and have a safe ride home. Anything else?" She adds, "Unfortunately we can't ride back with Digger, so we'll have to leave on the ship we rode in on, or one we commandeer."

Zero says, "Those are the main concerns with transportation, yes."

Manishsha follows -- thinking quietly, listening, and trying to solve these same problems. He asks, "Should we try and bring in help? It will take a while to get here, but we should be able to get... something."

Zero says, "The most help would be another ship to circle the planet for us just in case."

Freyja nods, "Hai, good point." She grins a bit ruefully, "Pity we couldn't borrow Malice for just a bit!"

Zero says, "...and her several wings of fighters."

Manishsha shudders, "Don't say that too loudly. The Sith might like that plan. It would be lots less complicated to get something from the Republic or the Jedi fleet."

Freyja grins cheerfully at Zero -- then pauses and blinks. "Whoa. I was actually quite irritated with that Wookiee!" She tilts her head, thinking, then smiles, stepping forward and hugging Zero tightly. "Mmm... you're a great anxiety sink, love!"

Zero smiles gently, and hugs Freyja. "It is what I'm here for."

Fhazil says, "We were wondering what we'd do with him. Could we just keep him pinned here till the Senate could send a big ship to prise him out themselves?"

Zero says, "That isn't a bad idea, actually. Any excuse to be back on the ship, and in orbit." Manishsha, beginning to pant in the heat, looks approving of that idea, as does Vakkal.

Freyja sighs and relaxes, just enjoying the feeling of closeness for a moment... then takes a deep breath and straightens, "All right, back to planning!" She thinks a bit, then nods quietly to Fhazil, "Hai. I think it'd be better to strike only once, definitively, at this person. Neh sense warning him by letting him accidentally escape again."

Zero says, "Well, then. We make our apologies, half-hearted as they may seem, to master Kal, and back to the ship, then."

Fhazil says, "If we just orbited and watched any comings and goings, and reported, then we could just call in for big guns. If Dale could bug the place or verify our Rodian friend is at home, rather than causing huge mischief, we'd be better off yet."

Freyja adds thoughtfully, "If all we need is someone to shoot him down when he tries to escape, wouldn't just about any of the pilots here do? Then we could go ahead and do the assault." She gives Zero a puzzled look, "Apologies for what, please? Wait, I'm getting confused here. I was thinking of getting something to eat, and planning more over dinner?"

Zero says, "That may be acceptable, but they will want remuneration, which is the subject over which we left our last attempt at transport."

Freyja pragmatically points out, "We left because he was rude and wouldn't make up his mind, not because he wanted remuneration."

Zero says, "Something tells me that master Kal will be less than pleased about that exchange. Or perhaps he will not. I could be wrong."

Freyja smiles and shrugs, "We'll see how he reacts. Personally, I think food and nice, cold drinks would help us all. Shall we go eat and plan?"

Vakkal says, "The hotel recommended this restaurant." He points, adding, "Let us go in, sit down, and get out of the heat. Food and drink would be nice."

Zero says, "Yes. Anything to be out of this sun. It's like Tatooine. Only... damp."

Freyja beams, "Excellent! Let's go get some nibblies then!" She heads in the direction Vakkal indicates. Manishsha says something under his breath which his voder can't manage.

The restaurant is cooler, dim, and quiet at this hour, it being a little early for the evening meal. The staff doesn't blink at the group of travelers, and is happy to serve their food and drink needs, particularly the "drink" part.

Freyja sighs and relaxes a bit more. She understands how heat can affect people -- she likes the warmth a lot, but it does eventually shorten her patience in dealing with difficult or nervous people. After several nice, cold drinks she smiles at her friends, "So, are we all feeling better? Want to try some more planning now?"

Zero says, "I believe at last we left off, we intended to hire a local pilot to be overwatch."

Manishsha says, "Or were we going to do that ourselves, and call for big guns?"

Freyja says, "Hai, if we can. Maybe more than one -- Kalatis is sneaky, after all. Neh, I don't think we should, Watcher." Her voice is quiet as she adds, "Zero's gotten a specific message about handling things, and I agree -- we are Jedi. Cleaning up other people's messes is what we do, after all." Then she smiles at her Darksider friends, "All right, some of us are. Neh offense."

Fhazil says, "None taken. Remember, my Master was in charge of getting this guy. I'm happy to do this." Vakkal nods, still panting a little and fanning his chest ruff with a menu, trying to cool down.

Freyja grins and reaches out with a piece of ice, gently running it along the underside of his jaw to help the poor Khar Velosi cool off. This may make Vakkal feel better, but Fhazil finds it quite distracting. Freyja giggles at Fhazil cheerfully, then looks inquiringly at Zero, "Think you can tell if folks are good enough pilots for what we need?"

Zero says, "Given some time to ask around, I could find out."

Freyja nods, "All right. We've got several days until Digger's better, and five more after that, so... shall we go with that plan? Have some pilots topside, you fly the Eclipse in and land her, we go in, do our duty, and ride her out?"

The comm feeps quietly. Zero says, "That sounds all right."

Freyja looks down at her wet hands, one still holding drippy ice, and grins, "Um... someone else get that, please?"

Zero picks up the comlink. "Speak."

Kal's voice on the comm says, "This Chiun?"

Zero says, "It is. Master Kal, I presume."

Over the comm Kal says, "Yep. I must say, you folks have some of the strangest negotiating tactics I've ever seen. I can't say I'd recommend them. I've never actually been thrown out of an airlock before."

Freyja raises an amused eyebrow, continuing to gently wipe ice down Vakkal's front as she murmurs to the others, Funny, works fine with Hutts...

Zero says, "If I may be direct, Kal, I would not recommend your local color to the next tour group that arrives on Garqi." Freyja laughs aloud! Zero is still trying to process the fact that the poisoned, half-dead Hutt was easier to deal with. What bloody galaxy is this?

Over the comm Kal laughs and says, "I'll keep that in mind! Now after y'all left I managed to say one word too many, which was one, and get tossed out ass over teakettle, and to have the door slammed behind me."

Zero says, "I apologize if we placed you indirectly in any bodily danger, Kal."

Freyja sighs amusedly, then murmurs, "If he got hurt, feel free to invite him over here and we'll help."

Kal's voice continues, "Now, I was just thinking that I'd got off pretty lucky, having never really seen an irritated Wookiee up close before, and I'd decided I didn't need to, when the hatch slammed back open and W'rroth demands, 'Did you know any of that?' I said, 'No...' and the hatch slammed again."

Freyja giggles quietly. Zero rolls his eyes. Nothing is ever easy.

Freyja adds amusedly, "He didn't mention screaming and roaring... so W'rroth couldn't have been that upset." Vakkal sighs happily and leans damply against Freyja, who grins at Vakkal and puts an arm lightly around him, not wanting to overheat him again. She adds to Zero, "Just cranky. Maybe he needs better air circulation on his ship? Must be hot for them here."

The old man on the comm continues, "So I thought that was that, when the hatch slams open again and I hear, 'What the hell was that all about?!' I get out, 'I don't...' and the hatch slams again."

Freyja laughs again at the image of a sort of Wookiee jack-in-the-box! Zero puts the comlink down, as he thinks he sees where this is going. He folds his hands on the table and waits for Kal to finish. Freyja grins, listening with amusement.

Kal says, "Eventually the old coot calmed down enough to speak in complete sentences, and we talked about things. He is, when not left in the dark and generally confused, a reasonable person, if a bit on the grumpy side. I also think he's the best pilot and ship to get you down to that entrance alive."

Freyja leans over to the com, glancing at Zero to be sure it's all right with him, then says to Kal, "Can he keep any other ship from taking off too?"

Kal's voice comes back, considering, "You mean a touchdown and then takeoff to catch or follow anyone who gets away? I dunno for sure -- I'd want to ask him -- but I'd think he could. His ship takes off just fine."

Freyja thinks a moment, then says carefully, "The critical point is neh-one escape, Kal. If he must shoot them down to do so... it would be lamentable, but necessary. Do I make myself clear?"

Kal's reply is, "Well, that's a pretty straightforward requirement."

Freyja says, "Hai... but is it one you feel he can do? I will not ask anyone to do something they feel is wrong."

Kal replies, "Oh, after you told him what was down there, I don't think there's any chance he'd feel it was wrong. Maybe get outrun or outgunned, but it wouldn't be for lack of trying on his part. He was right pissed."

Freyja smiles, then says politely, "I do hope you were not injured. If you were, do please feel free to come see us, and we'll do our best to patch things up for you?"

Zero murmurs, "Better airlocked here than in the air." Freyja grins at Zero, who adds, "Or... outside the air." Freyja nods silently, her eyes bright with amusement.

Kal chuckles and says, "Naw, I rolled with it just fine. Nothing but my dignity got marred, and that's no worry."

Freyja smiles, "All right -- just checking. So do you think your friend is willing to help, then? Any ideas on what he's going to want for this?"

Kal's voice comes over the comm, "Oh, he and I and the Mayor have just spent the last half hour at the Mayor's house drinking blackberry brandy and talking about just that. If you want to work with him, it's all taken care of. Once he knew some of the people involved he was willing to do it for no profit, and the Mayor and I can arrange credit at the spaceport for the fuel and stuff. Given that, he's all over it."

Freyja laughs, then smiles, "That sounds simply lovely, Kal, and thank you very much. I won't even ask who the Mayor is, or who it is you feel is involved." Her voice is gently teasing -- then she adds, "Digger will need a few days to recover, then a few more to get there. We'd like to arrive at a fortuitous time coinciding with his arrival."

Kal says seriously, "You said a Dark Force user and the Sith Empire, right? None of us wants those bastards to take our home! Even if it is hot, dangerous, and unpleasant -- it's ours, dammit! I know that you're no slouches yourselves, and that's good, but if you get shot down getting there it won't do anybody any good." He adds, "And you met the Mayor; he's the Rodian who works at the storage place. He's heard all about y'all and what you did for Dale, too."

Fhazil raises his glass to Kal, wordlessly adding, To Kal, even if he thinks I'm a bastard. His grin deflects any worry that he's unhappy with the man for reacting to what he's heard, and for wanting to protect his home; those are things he can relate to.

Freyja blinks, then laughs, "Oh! I hadn't realized Reelto was the mayor. I hope he doesn't think we were too brusque." She grins at Fhazil, But a cute one, hai?

Vakkal raises his glass, To those cute bastards! and grins. Freyja hastily puts a small hand over the comm to cover her giggle!

Kal says, "What with what he heard from Dale and who you're trying to stop, he's got no worries." He adds, "What we talked about won't go past the three of us, nor did I tell them anything else I happened to know."

Freyja smiles, "Thank you. In that case, I think we've covered everything, hai? Is there anything else we need to arrange still?"

Kal says, "You'll need to contact W'rroth and schedule the time with him, and let him know how many people he'll be carrying. He was asking those as purely practical questions so he could figure fuel use. Once you've done that you'll have the best help you can find on Garqi."

Freyja sounds relieved, "We'll be happy to, and thank you so much, Kal!" She grins, "Um... I'm going to guess after several hours of blackberry brandy, though, that we should wait until tomorrow to do so?"

Kal chuckles and replies, "Even without that it might be a good idea. I don't think he's angry, mostly confused. And now, willing to help."

Freyja smiles, "All right then, tomorrow. Once again, thank you very much, Kal."

Kal says, "Hey, I do my best. Sounds like this time that it was enough. That's very good!"

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Last modified: 2002-Jul-16 16:14:54

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