Forsythe

Star Wars - Rise of Crusade

AHCH-TO // JEDI TEMPLE

What the Jedi boy said actually made a great deal of sense, now that Lakras thought about it. They would have to make a rendezvous with a supply ship shortly before leaving Alliance space in either case, and he handed her a nice idea to request some of the older fighters to be brought onboard. "Very well," she said, "I will go up to set up everything. You heard he man, pack for cold weather. We'll put you in the cabins, so you'll have plenty of space for coats. Is there is anything else, we'll be requesting one supply run before we leave Alliance space. We may want to swap a fighter or two for land vehicles so that the away team doesn't freeze their noses off. The shuttle crews will take your bags when they are ready, we should be leaving in a day or so once the paint dries. Ranger Rogers, I assume you arrived here already packed, come with me we'll set you up with the crew." she turned her attention to the young ranger, beckoning towards the shuttle.

On her way to the landing area, she pulled out her transciever and connected to the ship: "Milky way, Blackstar. I'm coming up plus one, have the chief engineer ad XO meet me at the hangar, and clear one bunk and two cabins. Also, have the flyboys come together and think what fighters a gen old would they like to fly the most."

"Willco, ma'am. They will be overjoyed." came back an cackling voice.

"Need a hand with your stuff, ranger?" she offered.

@Cyrania

Star Wars - Rise of Crusade

AHCH-TO // JEDI TEMPLE

The mission seemed simple enough. Go in. Find the target. Make a grab. Get the hell out of dodge. Try not to start a galactic war would you? Yeah, Lakras was ordering the markings painted over and then some. The unsanctioned status of the mission was a splitting headache, but someone had to do it. Still, one ship or one Jedi were not worth plunging the galaxy into war between the Alliance and the Order over. Note to self, check that the self destruct is in ready condition.

Pocketing the information chip, she nodded. "We'll go incognito. Our transfer is recent, unless the order has spies up to the Chanc- Commander Organa, they should not know yet. It should be easy to masquerade as a crew going AWOL to become mercs, especially if I don't show my face and let, say, and upstart young traitor do the talking as if she owns the place." she put forth, winking at Alastrina.

"It will take about half a day for the ship modificaitons to be done and spoofing the transponder codes. That should give everyone plenty of time to pack and shuttle aboard, I'll leave one shuttle here until everyone is aboard. I assume present company is coming, yourself excluded?" she asked Luke, making note to account for extra provisions and eyeballing the Astromech, wondering whether it would like to go on another grand adventure. "Any of you Jedi types want to bring their personal spacecraft aboard, let me know the specs and we'll see about clearing some space." she advised. The Marauder class was versatile, but it was no Venator.

Star Wars - Rise of Crusade

AHCH-TO // JEDI TEMPLE

Finally, someone of import has arrived. That it would be the famous war relic of a droid was a bit of a surprise to the captain, and she had to fight the urge to take a picture. Sure, it was a droid, but a war hero none the less. They were all here because the talking wheelie bin delivered plans of the Death Star to the resistance. Well, it and it's spooky looking brassjob friend. And if it was here, it's master could not be far behind, and indeed a shadow of black cloth entered the room.

Luke. Effin. Skywalker. Himself. Lakras wondered whether she should start writing memoirs now, as within the span of two weeks she has met both of the Skywalkers and R2-D2. When would that happen next? He was right though, this was not her usual mission. Usually she ferried the rangers and occasional Jedi around when the former couldn't spare a full cruiser, or the later needed something bigger than a starfighter. Still, this was what she wanted. "My mission has always been to protect the republic and now the alliance. We'll do what is needed. That said... Is plausible deniability desirable on this mission? If so I'll have my deckhands swearing for a week that they have to paint over the freshly painted Ranger insignia from the hull, but it would not be hard to masquerade as a mercenary corvette." she offered, looking at the holograms.

Star Wars - Rise of Crusade

AHCH-TO // JEDI TEMPLE

As she waited along with the Jedi, who to Lakras's dismay still failed to introduce herself by name, she felt a poke against her mind. While it could have been anyone in the building, she was curious if it was the Twi'lek trying to figure her deal out. The Captain's initial idea was to come up with a particularly dark memory to focus on, as something like that would certainly get a reaction, even if only an eye twitch. But the thought of doing that perished as quickly as it came. They might be serving together in the near future, it was time to build bridges, not walls.

Want to know who I am? Well, allow me. Usually she would not even consider doing this, but if she thought there was somewhere in the universe where having her mind laid bare to an unknown observer would not be used against her, the Jedi temple was probably it. She closed her eyes, and thought of the past...

Imperial garrison landing on Iridonia. Her toy blade being laughed by a trooper passing by. Anger. Injustice. Powerlessness. Resistance. Rebellion. Wounded pride.

A trooper hitting a Zabrak woman while she was on the ground. Herself throwing stones at the trooper. Occupied, but unbroken. Terrified, but must help.

Her father handing her the family blades. Broken. Useless. Then again, pride. Resolve.

A ship cleaved in two. Atmosphere vented. Sealed in a compartment two corridors from the escape pod. Preparing for vacuum exposure. Pulling the door lever. Not like this. I will survive.

A crewmate struck by a blaster. Rushing out of cover to pull them in. Administering first aid. They are mine. Their lives are not yours to take.

Standing at the command post. Broken arm, swollen eye, bleeding. Giving orders to keep firing. It's not over so long as I draw breath.

Facing the Jedi council. Her nails digging into her palms. Dejection. Then resolve. My own path. My own conviction, my integrity. Light or dark, will serve the people.

Lakras took a sharp breath and her eyes shot open. It has been a while since she drowned in her past like this. She wasn't a fan. That's as much as anyone is getting. Want to know more, you'll have to talk to me. she thought for herself, her defenses raised once more, firmer than before.

An arrival finally saved her from the awkward silence. A rather wild looking human, as far as Lakras could tell. Fortunately a lot more friendly and chatty. She shook the offered hand: "Lakras Tagrate. Indeed, freshly transferred. You didn't miss anything yet. Too bad command didn't let me know you needed a lift." she smiled.

Another person arrived, this time a Jedi. Were they all this... young? Seriously, this group was making Lakras feel like an old woman. "Didn't miss a thing." She reiterated, "Does anyone know what this is about?" She asked curiously. Did anyone bring orders, or at least donuts? she thought, now wishing she grabbed a bite before hopping on the shuttle as soon as she woke up.

@Cyrania@DragonofTheWest

Star Wars - Rise of Crusade

Might actually be easier to chat there since I use it to talk with brah and it works at work xD

Star Wars - Rise of Crusade

A bit too busy with general life sadly. Posting is not affected but I can't talk as much as I used to :(

Star Wars - Rise of Crusade

So who's got what planned? Plenty of cabins on the 'vette if anyone wants to tag along :)

Star Wars - Rise of Crusade

AHCH-TO // JEDI TEMPLE

The captain failed miserably to hide her amusement when the Jedi had to recompose herself. Even if she raised the haze around her mind to prevent any of the Jedi from reading her like an open book in time, the tugging on the corners of her mouth told the tale. The Twi'lek facing her could not be older than thirty, likely less, and it was just adorable how she attempted not to look intimidated and even glared back.

And, apparently, she might be one of the Jedi whom she was supposed to give a ride. "Looks like we may get to know each other rather well then. What fun! Captain Tagrate, CO of the Milky Way, happy to make you an acquaintance." she introduced herself as they walked to their destination. A walk that was not very long, fortunately, as the clock were ticking. All the more surprise to find out they were the first two people there.

The room was as barebones as she remembered form her brief stay at the Jedi temple. Walls without a speck of vibrant color. Not a piece of art on the walls other than the, again dull looking, statues. And one would be hard pressed to find a bench or a chair, at least a comfortable one. The Milky way was no cruise liner, but even there one could find more amenities than here. There was not even a locker with beverages, just a holomap in the center of the room. What. Fun. the captain thought as she leaned against the wall in the corner, waiting for something interesting to happen and hoping it would arrive before she grew old.

Star Wars - Rise of Crusade

Rorkia Duli

*snipped*
Equipment:
- blasters
- blaster
- more blaster
- even more blaster

@Sanity43217

"How many of these things have you got?"
"How many needed?"

Star Wars - Rise of Crusade

AHCH-TO // JEDI TEMPLE

The impact wasn't as hard as Lakras expected given the speed both of them were going, but it still staggered her a bit. Good thing she was not carrying any paperwork, or she'd be picking up sheets off of the ground. Herself, she managed to stay on her feet, although she hat to take a step back and crouch to keep her balance. At least the Twi'lek was comparatively tiny to her and her eyes were never in danger.

Seeing no need to be rude, she took the offered hand and pulled herself up. Well, just because she did not want to be rude did not mean that Lakras could not leave a lasting impression, one that could perhaps leave the jedi wanting to make time and leave early next time - whereever it was she was hurrying. The Zabrak gave the hand a steel squeeze and pulled herself up to her full height, three quarters of a head taller than the Twi'lek girl and gave her a gaze that could tunnel through anyone's eyes straight to their soul. And come back out the other side. Lakras was a prime specimen of the red zabrak ethnicity, her skin, her facial tattoos, her irises - even the 'white' of her eyes a shade of red. Clad in her black and gray armor with the odd red light, she could put the fear of Darth Maul into anyone.

Deciding to let the poor girl off the hook, she let go of her hand and smiled. "It's fine, although you may wish to leave a bit earlier next time." Looking around, Lakras was a bit at a loss where to go anyway. Might as well ask the natives. "Would you happen to know which way to the meeting room? I'm a ranger and my ship is assigned to a Jedi mission, I'm heading to the briefing and there's little time to spare before it begins."

@Cyrania