[centre][b]A Jedi Rescue[/b]
[i]Risk vs Reward
Approaching the Arkinnea system in hyperspace.[/i][/centre]

Nikan sat in the cockpit of his fighter craft, they would be dropping out of hyperspace soon and he wanted to be ready to launch at a moments notice if he was needed, of course he hopped it did not come to that getting down to the planets surface without running afoul of the CIS presence in the system was vastly preferable. He flicked a switch on his control board and activated his comms, linking directly to the bridge of the ship. “I'm all prepared down here, just give the word if you need me out there.” He said calmly.
“Alright Nikan,” Cha'allas voice replied over the comm, “We'll be dropping to realspace in a few moments.” She said after a moments pause.

On the bridge Cha'alla sat in the command chair as she watched the crew prepare for the transition from hyperspace. Last report said there had been limited CIS forces in the area but Ba'alkyri had been shot down when she arrived so there was no telling what might be waiting for them, they were about to find out however as she notted the helmsman pull back on the hyperdrive levers and the hyperspace tunnel collapsed into normal stars.

As the Risk vs Reward emerges from hyperspace it'd detect the signatures of 2 Lucrehulks in orbit over major cities with a constant and heavy CAP patrol of Vulture Droids, it seems that at least for the moment, the Risk vs Reward had gone unnoticed in its arrival, though the sensors did pick up that ships were being stopped and searched as they were discovered.

“Steady as she goes.” Cha'alla said to the crew, “Locate the point in Ba'alkyri's distress call and see if we can plot a course there without the CIS noticing us.”

As the Risk vs Reward began it's approach however it was located by a Vulture Droid Squadron on routine patrol which broadcasts the transport's approach towards the planet. 

Moments later. "This is Confederacy of Independent Systems Traffic Control. Identify and declare."

“Damn.” Cha'alla said quietly before signalling the comms crewman to send a reply. “This is the Risk vs Reward, independent trading vessel, 17 crew aboard. We're here to pick up a shipment of wooly-nerf livestock for transport to Nar Shaddaa.” She replied while using a jedi mental exercise to remain calm.

The transmission was frozen as suddenly the Risk vs Reward was the subject of an intense scan. "Risk vs Reward. CIS Records match your vessel to that once controlled by Pirate Raiders. Heave to and prepare to be boarded for inspection. Please make sure all your papers are in order."

“Cha'alla?” Nikan said over the internal comms...
“Power down and wait with the crew Nikan, the Risk vs Reward isn't equipped at the best of times to handle what a Lucrehulk can throw at us, even with your piloting.” Cha'alla replied to the young knight before she addressed the bridge crew and the droids. “Cut power to engines, we'll hold and await the inspection team.” She said as the crew jumped to follow the command. 

 It took nearly an hour for the Risk to reach the top of the inspection queue and finally a vessel found the time to visit them. On reaching the risk vs reward it clamped onto an airlock and waited for the Risk to allow them in. 

After being allowed on board eight Droid Commandos would come on board followed by four B2 Super Battle Droids carrying... a booth of all things... and behind them twenty B1's with scanning gear followed. 

As the B2's set up the booth a Nemoidian emerged followed by a pair of Butler Droids entering into the Booth. "Please send for the Captain."

Cha'alla wasn't far when the team boarded and she moved quickly to meet the Nemoidian official with too following behind her with the forged documents he had sliced while they waited in queue.
“Greetings, I am the Risk vs Rewards captain, I trust your journey was not too unpleasant.” she said as she approached the Nemoidian.

The Nemoidian looked at Cha'alla. "Yes. Papers Please."

Cha'alla gestured to Too to hand over the datapad with the shipping orders on it kept an open smile on her face.

The Nemoidian took the papers and put them under a scanner. "Droids, commence detailed scan of vessel." He said turning to the papers. "Duration of Stay?"

“No more than a day.” Cha'alla said simply.

"Explain why your vessel was last seen in the hands of pirates." The Nemoidian said pointedly. 

“Simple really; Because that's what the previous owners were, Myself and a few others took the vessel about 18 months ago and cleared the pirates out, we refit the vessel for our purposes and are now conducting honest work.” Cha'alla replied with a shrug.

 "Identification papers." The Nemoidian responded without giving a clue as to his feelings on the matter.

Cha'alla fish out and handed the Nemoidian an ident card that she had been using in an official capacity for many years.

The Nemoidian looked it over before passing it back. And closing a shutter he could be seen making a transmission to someone on the surface. For a good fifteen minutes they spoke before he opened the shutter again. One of the B1's forced to do the scanning returned with its team. 

"Sir. We've scanned the ship. But there is no evidence of anywhere to hold any livestock sir."

"Why do you think the hanger is mostly empty, we're taking on additional supplies in order to accommodate the nerfs, we may have refit the space to function as a hanger but it was a cargo hold originally and it can be used as one again." Cha'alla replied. "Of course your droid wouldn't know that because they have no imagination."

"Droids. Cease recording and transmitting." The Nemoidian said. "Now look here, you're not fooling anyone, these papers are very convincing but this ship just doesn't add up, now bluntly, I hate being here. You hate me being here. We both want to just go about our separate ways..." He pinched his nose. "How about you make me an offer to just,... go away..."

“I see, so all you're really after is a payoff. I wonder what Colonel Hosh might make of that, as I recall he was rising in the ranks quickly after his success on Jabim. But I suppose if you insist I can offer you thirty thousand credits.” Cha'alla replied with a raised eyebrow and a confident look.

The Nemoidian smiled. "Most acceptable." He waits for the transfer before stamping the papers. "Glory to Arstotska." He turns to the droids. "Resume recording and transmitting. Pack it up. This one is perfectly legitimate."

“I thankyou for your patience, may your next inspection be a quick one.” Cha'alla said with a smile and a slight bow of her head. Might as well make all the right moves for whoever was watching the recordings. She kept smiling placidly while the droids packed up to get off the ship. Without further ado the Nemoidian, and the booth, packed up back into their transport which disengaged leaving the Risk to continue on its way unmolested.

Ba'alkyri sighs and leans against a wall, checking her commlink. "Any day now.. Yes..." 

Writh crooks his head and frowns, "What was that? Still having trouble hearing."

"Ah, just waiting on Cyphor... Or anyone, really... Still."

Alyssandri shrugs and twiddles her thumbs, "At least we have done alright surviving this place with our skills. And Vitril looks... Better than she did."

Vitril offers a rude gesture in response and lays back against the wall, looking at her severed limb with distaste. Ba'alkyri moves over and checks her over with a frown before shaking her head, "I would have seen you better if I had the capabilities. Perhaps I erred in not contacting Leonis, but he is still far too hateful of late. I understand his pain and loss, but he is too quick to violence."

Chris grunts, rubbing her face and peeling off another bacta patch they had managed to scavange from the wreckage of their ship. "I don't know about the rest of you, but Ba'al had the right idea in the past, thinking the Jedi were too idle. I do not like scrounging the surface for food and water very much. Jedi force skills aside, its been a pain... For some of us much more than others."

Ba'alkyri winces, seeing the heavy scarring on Chris' face and nodding. "I know. Again, this is my fault. We should have come in with more reinforcements. I had not thought it would be so bad, but at least Kreeva found that information."

Alyssandri huffs, "Yes, would not want this entire time to be a complete waste. The bruising across her face was still heavy. The healing had been focused more on those who needed it.

Writh jabs her with the end of his sabrecane. "Enough. You and Ba'alkyri should both see if anyone has arrived. It is getting on in the day. The rest of us will wait here."

Ba'alkyri was already on her feet as Alyssandri rolls her eyes, folding her arms tighter about herself, "It's a waste. They probably are still debating if they can afford to come to our aide." Ba'alkyri merely sighs and begins to take off ahead.

As the two were about halfway to the wreakage of the Baal IX they saw an Action IV freighter fly in low towards the crash site and disapear below the treetops. Presumably their ride had arrived, this was confirmed a few minutes later as a voice came over Ba'alkyri's commlink. "This is your rescue speaking, is that you heading this way on sensors Ba'alkyri?" The voice of a young rodian male with a strong hint of self amusment in his tone said.

Ba'al flushes and answers over the commlink, "Sure enough. Tell me you did not have as many problems getting here as we did, though."

"Well we didn't get shot down for starters." Clazo replied over the commlink, "Would have been quicker if we had, customs lines are boring"

Alyssandri arches a brow, "Customs lines?.." Ba'alkyri shrugs, "Preferable to being here about a week. Do you know what bugs taste like? I apparently do now. Its not very pleasant." Alyssandri chuckles, "I thought they tasted like chicken. Squishier. But chicken." Ba'al makes a sickened expression. "I need you at the Jedi temple, friend. We have someone who... well, doesn't have a leg to stand on, for lack of a better word."

"Well Nikan has the hanger open and is organising the crew to get whats left of your ship on board, We assumed you'd want to take it with you after we found none of you here." Clezo replied

"That would be appreciated, thanks. Maybe we can salvage some of it," she grimaces, looking at the wreckage. "Just need tape... A lot of tape... A lot..."

"I'm sure Too could look at on the way to wherever we're dropping you, I don't think we have that much tape though." Clezo replied with a chuckle. "Come aboard while we get the ship loaded, I'm sure Cha'alla would like to find out what happened to you."

Ba'alkyri covers her commlink and looks at Alyssandri, "Do we tell them the truth?..." Alyssandri muses over it, "If you want to be the laughing stock of the Jedi. Maybe just play it up a little." Ba'al scratches her cheek and nods, "Yaaa. Be right there, Clezo."

When the two arrived the 'salvage' operation was well underway and Too was already running around the wreck trying to figure out how much of a lost cause the vessel was. While Nikan was busy directing the crew Cha'alla stood to one side just watching until she saw the pair approach upon which time she left the enclosure of the freighter and walked towards them.

Alyssandri nudges Ba'alkyri in the side and whispers to her, "Ha, see. They did debate not rescuing you. Not even Cyphor." Ba'al snorts and shoves her away, "Thanks for coming Cha'alla. Was getting worried there."

"It took us a little longer to get here than it might have if we had brough one of cyphors larger vessels, I doubt we'd have gotten here without a fight had we done so however." Cha'alla said with an apologetic smile, "I hope none of you were too hurt in the crash."

"Ah, we got out of the crash alright... After that it got a little sketchy," she ruffles her hair, a bit embarassed. "We're lucky Vitril has done so well. The rest of us though, we got a bit roughed up, but not near as bad."

"After?" Cha'alla inquired.

"There were droids at the temple... A lot of them," she looks down at her still scorched chest plate. "They had very good targetting protocols."

"I hope your troubles were not in vain at least?" Cha'alla asked with a look of concern.

Ba'alkyri nods, "Kreeva managed to find a message left by the Jedi of this enclave. It redirects us to the Vergesso Asteroids. Hopefully the location has not been discovered."

"If you think time might be an issue we could go straight to the asteroids after we finish here?" Cha'alla asked ss the first half of the Baal IX was finally settled in the hanger bay and the crew started working on getting the other half aboard.

Ba'al shakes her head, "Too many are injured and I think we all need a break after this. If you wouldn't mind... I've made enough of a mess of this endeavor, I can't push them to keep going like this."

"That bad huh." Cha'alla said with a raised eyebrow, "Why don't you come up to the bridge and we can prepare to pick up the rest of your friends while the crew finish loading your... uh... ship." She added almost stumbling over the last bit.

Ba'al winces at the awkward comment and nods, gesturing for Alyssandri to go ahead, "Again, thank you." She strides forward and looses a heavy groan as she relaxes into a seat. It was almost enough tension off of her that she could sleep right here. It was certainly better than cold, hard floors with debris and plants all over.

 It took another 20 minutes to get the rest of the Baal IX in the hanger and secure enough for liftoff in which time Cha'alla settled Ba'alkyri and Alyssandra in some seats at an auxiliary console near the back of the bridge. Soon the Risk vs Reward was airborne again and heded to the temple ruins to pick up the remainder of Ba'alkyris party.

Ba'al looks at the temple and shudders having to go back in again, "Alright, guess its time to get going. Sandri, would you mind helping me carry Vitril? Writh could use a guide out too. His hearing is a bit impaired now. Chris should be able to carry herself, but she is still pretty rough." She staggers on her way off the ship, wincing from her own healing scrapes.

Withough being asked Cha'alla and Clezo followed them out to assist if need be, a couple of the crew sttod about wting near the ship just in case.

With the assistance of the other jedi, they manage to get the injured on board the ship. Ba'alkyri rubs her face and smiles slightly, ready to get back home. "Finally over..." she looks across at Vitril and grimaces, seeing the sheen of sweat on her better with the lighting. "Do you have any facilities on board so we can look at her injuries more thoroughly?"

"Unfortunately the Risk vs Reward has mostly been refit as a system defence vessel, it wasn't intended for rescue missions, or really much more than patrol duties. So I'm afraid we don't have proper medical facilites beyond the basics." Cha'alla explained, "We can at least make her comfortable in the sleeping quarters and provide some basic meds."

Ba'alkyri nods and gets up to help move her old time friend. "Good, anything should be better than nothing."

Nikans voice sounded over the internal comms a moment later warning the ship was lifting off, with a little luck they would be out of the system in less than ten minutes and on thier way. "Where would you like us to take you?" Cha'alla asked Baa'kyri.

 She does a quick estimation in her head, "I think my ship is off on trade routes patrolling still, Neia should be closer. I think if she will have us..." Writh chuckles and adds, "Or charges an arm and a leg... Oh wait.." Ba'al glares at him even though he could not see it, "I think she has the facilities we need." Kreeva picks a leaf from his hair and nods, "And a shower, thank goodness," he mumbles.

"It would take us a few days to get there, though it would take almost as long to get to the Travellers Respite too." Cha'alla considered. "The Kwenn system is likely closer to your own assets of course so it makes sense to head there." She added as she shwoed them to some sleeping quarters. "You get some rest while i get the ship on course." Se turned and started to walk away before calling back over her shoulder. "..And feel free to use the facilities, you don't need to wait till we reach Neia's station to take a shower." She said with a soft laugh and a smile.

[hider=Summary]
Cha'alla takes the Risk Vs Reward to Arkinnea in order to rescue the Stranded Ba'alkyri
Pays a bribe to get past customs without a firefight.
Agrees to take Ba'alkyri and her people to Neia's station in the Kwenn system.[/hider]