Ossus; A Planet of Rebirth [From Mance]

[Taddio Tara'dek]

Ossus

Planet Type: Terrestrial
Climate: Temperate
Terrain: Hills, mountains, gorges, forests
Atmosphere: Breathable
Gravity: Standard
Languages: Basic, Classical Ossan, Ysannan
Species Mix: 99% Ysanna, 1% other (after Cron cataclysm)
Government: Tribal
System/Star: Adega/Adega Prime and Adega Besh

Ossus is the third planet in the twin-star Adega system (one of six systems in the Auril Sector). Pinched between the Cron Cluster and the Tion Cluster, the planet became difficult to approach after the Cron Cluster went supernova and was later renamed the Cron Drift. Ion storms and rogue asteroids in the Drift vex even the best astrogator, and much of the debris from the Cron Drifts veils the Adega system even four thousand years after the face. While the other planets of the Adega system orbit the twin sun's collective center of gravity, Ossus maintains a near perfect figure-eight orbit.

Before the Cron supernova, Ossus was a rugged world with soaring mountain ranges and deep drift canyons, two-thirds covered by water and rife with flor and fauna. During the Old Republic, the world was the temperate home of thousands of diverse Jedi Knights and their Padawans, as well as Force learners of dozens of other cultures.

After it was ravaged by the Cron supernova during the height of the Great Sith War, Ossus became a irradiated world caustic to most beings, plagued by violent electrical storms. Very little surface life remains, and the magnificent buildings and architecture that defined the world were blasted by the force of the supernova's shockwave. Almost none of the former civilization remains, though some ruins of the Jedi Facility are obvious, and some of the docking bays of the spaceport are still level enough to land a craft on. (Otherwise, pilots must land on open plateaus, desert pans, and other natural terrain.)

The world has two moons, Mim and Nerit. Mim is a rocky, airless globe and Nerit is a temperate moon with gravity 125 percent that of the galactic standard. Nerit's life is varied, but the most notable is a clan of expatriate wood-and-sap Neti.

After the Cron Cluster's explosion, few beings remain on Ossus. Most who do are members of the Ysanna tribe. These beings are descendants of Jedi, who-over the course of generations---have forgotten their Jedi heritage and use their latent Force abilities as a form of atavistic magic.

Most of the knowledge of the Jedi stored on Ossus was lost forever in the cataclysm. However, much was moved as well, to locations as far spread as Exis Station, the Jedi Archives on Coruscant, and Derem City on Kamino. The Jedi learned from the disaster, and built storehouses in planets across the Galaxy to hold their most valuable artifacts. Contingency plans for evacuation were established in case other important Jedi worlds such as Dantooine were attacked

[Taddio Tara'dek]

Taddio Tara’dek:

His eyes remain focused on the display screens as Anka speaks. He wasn’t ignoring her, he could hear everything she was saying, but certain other things required a bit of his attention if they wanted to continue to stay alive. The work on the Ion Drives was coming along nicely, ahead of schedule even. The shields in the unoccupied quarters were holding strong.

“I was once a ‘pirate’, if that’s what you want to call it.” He says, not the least bit perturbed by her tone of voice, or seeming accusation. “I was still a slave, serving my Mistress, when a band of pirates, much like the ones we just got away from, attacked her ship and took her captive. The captain of that crew took mercy on me, for some reason that he never explained, and made me a part of his crew.”

Dek looks sideways at her, to see her reaction before continuing. “It wasn’t the best life, and we certainly did a lot of ‘bad’ things. But it wasn’t like I had much of a choice in the matter at the time.” He chuckles, “I guess you could say I’m still a pirate. But don’t let the weaponry fool you, I don’t attack other ships to make a profit. But I’ve learned that an ill equipped vessel is easy pickings for pirates, and criminals a dozen times worse then those vultures.”

As the Twi’lek continued with her speech, he merely listened, holding his tongue until she was done with her story. In the mean time, he began typing other commands, and reading the information scrolling on his vid display. It appeared that they had plenty of energy left to make the jump to hyperspace and get past the Cron Drift before powering down for the final run to the planet Ossus. Once there, they would be relatively safe. No one but the miners and repair crews come to the planet, and for that matter, not many in the Galaxy even realized mining operations on the planet were even still running.

Anka’s story, in all truth, sounded pretty like the typical story one heard from slaves, and ex-slaves alike. And not to mention it didn’t really key him into why she would be so reluctant to learn such important things. Untrusting…well, that he understood all to well. When one spends a large chunk of their life in the service of others, trust is something that is not a luxury, and once given freedom, one rarely took that simple thing for granted, and never gave it away freely.

As one of the displays lit up in front of him, indicating a responding message from his base of operations, he turned to Anka and voiced his response to her story. “Manners and graciousness have never been my strong suits Anka, so if what I say offends you, I’ll apologize now. That’s a pretty story, and one very similar to that I’ve heard from many slaves just like yourself. Many of which I have freed with money from my own coffers, or with ‘aggressive negotiations’. I’m not asking you to trust me, I’m asking you only to trust in the fact that I have no real desire to harm you, and that your survival is in my best interest. Can we agree on that?”

His eyes peer into hers, showing his sincerity as he continues on. “As for piloting a vessel, and the other things that I offered to teach you. Well, nothing you said really shows me why you wouldn’t want to, but if you don’t, I’m not gonna force you. I mean, hey, if you want to be at the whim of everyone else, and have to depend on droids and pilots, that’s your choice, not mine. I just thought learning these things would help pass the time, and make the journey less boring for you.” He shrugs though, not pressing the matter at all.

Of course, at this point he was staring at her back as she stood up and moved to look out one of the side windows in the small, three person choobiepit. She’d be fine. No doubt she just resented the fact that she had to depend on him, and she didn’t like it one bit. Even if she didn’t get over it, there wasn’t much that he could do about it. She’d either get over it, or she’d be unhappy until he could unload her on a habitable planet, or she bribed someone enough to take her off of the planet Ossus before repairs were finished. If she was smart, she would suck in her pride and stick with him for the time being. Freighters were hardly the very comfortable.

‘Serenity’ was at that point passing near the planet Carida, and well on their way down the Perlemian Trade Route. There still seemed to be no sign of pursuit, which allowed Dek to breath a bit easier.

Dek still had notions of contacting the Jedi Council, even though he had been thwarted earlier. Of course, that had been when the danger had been nipping at their heels, and he had been desperate for any help at all. So, he still wasn’t in much of a hurry, particularly since he had been Sith trained in his youth, and he wasn’t sure how the Jedi would take to that. But if it came to it, there was still a Jedi presence on the planet of Ossus. He had never been in contact, but he could find out how through his contacts among the Ysanna.

Taking another look towards Anka, to make sure she was ok, he continues his calculations. If things kept going as well as they were, by the time they got near Tirahnn he would be able to have full use of the Ion Drives. This would give him time to run a few quick tests, and have the ability to land on the planet should there be a need to.

An’ka:

Tipping her head as he spoke, she listened carefully to everything that he had to say. Sighing softly as she listened, she began to pace back and forth in the small choobiepit, her eyes not leaving him as he finished. "That is all well and good, as long as you are not a pirate, now, I will not be caught up in any band of pirates, not that I have much choice in the matter as it were but, I'm sure you catch my drift."

She figured that he understood her lack of trust and as he went about pushing buttons on the panels in front of him, she moved behind him, looking over his shoulder and just watching. It was all alien to her, so to speak. Giggling at that thought, she almost burst out laughing, covering her mouth with her hand.

"I will trust you as much as you trust me, I see now that you intend me no harm, so perhaps now, the trip will be a little smoother. " Watching him, she just shakes her head as he speaks of learning how to pilot and learn other things about the ship.

"I just don't think that is something that I need to learn, you seem to do find on your own." Thinking moment she knows that she doesn't need to learn. "There will always be droids or others to pilot ships and if I have to rely on them than so be it."

Settling herself in the chair next to his, she just watched. "How long before we get to where it is we are going."

Taddio Tara’dek:

He, of course, had been listening to every word she spoke as he continued to work on the controls in front of him, adjusting their course manually when needed, and plotting…first a test trajectory, and then a course to Ossus once the test was complete.

Dek was glad when he realized she had finally joined him on the same page. He didn’t trust her, and he certainly didn’t expect her to trust him. Given the circumstances of their meeting, he wasn’t offended in the least by her distrust. Of course, she was still resistant to the idea of learning anything useful.

“Hey, like I said, it was just an offer. Something to keep you busy during your time on the ship and at dry dock on Ossus.” He shrugs his shoulders, turning his chair a little as she leans over him to watch. “But anyone that wants to join my crew has to learn how to do certain things. Droids are good for lots of things, but they cannot always be trusted. Not to mention, a destroyed droid can’t help anyone.”

He smirked as he worked the little part about needing an actual crew. He doubted she would be interested, but it never hurt to plant seeds. There was much she didn’t know about, but just her heritage alone could open many doors for him in the future. She could surely infiltrate easier then he could. Dressed as a slave, Anka could easily go undetected. Slaves were often ignored by those of higher society, that is unless they wanted something from one. Not to mention how much easier it would be to do jobs if he had someone that he could trust to back him up, or visa versa.

Of course, he didn’t bring up the fact that he thought she was completely lazy, and that was the real reason she didn’t want to learn anything. Or maybe, after being a slave for so long, she felt that others owed her. Those were merely his own musings on the subject though, and nothing he would accuse her of unless she proved it.

“Not really sure at the moment. In a few minutes, we should have Ion Drive back, and be able to jump into hyperspace. But before we can do that, I need to do a test jump to make sure they won’t fail, and that the ship won’t fall apart in mid flight. But, I would say, a few hours if everything goes right.” He answers truthfully, looking up at her. Thankfully his R2 and R4 units were exceptional at repairs. Their repairs would be temporary, but it would be more then enough to get them to his safe haven.

“We’ll probably be in port for some time, a week at least, longer possibly if things don’t go very smoothly during repairs. Is that acceptable to you?” He asks, knowing that she didn’t really have much of a choice in the matter. He couldn’t risk stopping along their course to drop her off, which meant she had to come along. But he felt the need to make her feel like she had more options then what she really did. “If you don’t want to stay, I’ll pay a freighter captain for your passage. But…I’ll tell you upfront the journey won’t be the least bit pleasant. You’ll be stuck in a box without windows, and you’ll have dirty freighter crew drooling all over you. If you stick with Me, I can at least promise you privacy and a luxurious ride.”

It was all true, well, except for the privacy thing. Although, it wasn’t like he intended to just sit there and spy. He still would, of course. She had, after all, attacked him not all that long ago. And, well, the voyeur in him just couldn’t help thinking about watching her naked body sashaying out of the shower.

“Oh, and that reminds me.” He says, leaning his head back to look up at her face. “I have a crate of ladies clothing back at my base. I’m sure there will be at least something in there that you will like.” He turns, pulling the seat to the side on its axis to look her over briefly, “I do believe that is a pilots suit in there that would fit you rather snuggly, as well as a few slave garments that I am sure you would be used to wearing.”

[Taddio Tara'dek]

An’ka:

Pacing. Walking. Thinking. Too many things flooded her mind at one time. A purple brow raised as she tipped her head, looking to the man that had given her some hope, had given her some sort of feeling that perhaps they would be safe in time. She wondered why they couldn't go back to simpler times, when they wouldn't have to run, when she could just be home. Home, she wondered if she would ever be able to talk him into taking her home. As she listened to him, she had to admit that he was right. Trust. She didn't trust him, but here she was and she had to go with him. She knew that he would keep her safe.

A crew, he had said that he needed a crew, she didn't know enough about anything to be part of the crew, but if he played things the right way, with her looks and her background, she may be able to get them into places that he alone would not. She went to speak, lips moving but no words coming as she began to think. Smiling a razor filled grin, she moved to sit in the chair next to his, the comment about the clothing not going unnoticed, no not at all. "First and foremost I do not change my look for anyone, if these clothes offend you, then simply quit staring at me so much."

Anka moved her hand and pointed at the buttons on the dashboard, looking over her shoulder as one of the droids came rolling into the room beeping and whirring about something, though who knew what it was. "If you are willing to teach then I am willing to learn, but I want something in return."

Sitting back in the chair, she crossed her legs at the knee, laying her hands in her lap, pulling her lekku she laid them over her shoulders, the bottom flipping slowly as she decided to put her plan into action. "You need help, I want something, so shall I make you an offer?"

Taddio Tara’dek[/orange]

Dek’s Base on Ossus

D-3PX stood before the vid display, completing the needed communication with the miners of Ossus for her Master. The repair crew that was on planet would stop over before leaving the planet, which would be in about twelve hours barring any set backs. Turning the communications array back to automatic, the protocol droid begins to stiffly walk to another room, aptly called the Droid Barracks.

When ‘Serenity’ was off planet, the Base itself went into a form of hibernation, an energy conserving mode of sorts. Only D-3PX was kept operational, though all the of the remaining droids were programmed to awaken should an emergency occur. They were there to safeguard, and to trouble shoot the systems. Their secondary purpose was to keep his storehouses in order, and to prepare the items therein to be placed on the ship when it was in port…as well as to help with repairs when she was docked. There were 6 astromechs there, in their alcoves. Five R4 units, and one R2 which was the ‘leader’ of the bunch.

The moment D-3PX entered the room, it lit up, and all six alcoves came to life, heralding the awakening of the astromechs. It didn’t wake them long to get their instructions as they tapped into the main computer. In a flurry of movements, of deeps and whines, all six of them wheeled off to do what needed to be done.

With that accomplished, D-3PX returns to the communications room, wasting no time in sending a response back to Dek that his orders had, and were, being carried out. Within minutes, a response came back…one that had obviously been in the works before her own was sent. As specs and more instructions uploaded to the computer, D-3PX fed the information to the R4 units so that they could do as needed.

Trusting the astromechs to their jobs, the silver protocol droid began the preps that she needed to do. Attuning the ground sensors, she began to scan the surrounding area to make sure that opening the massive outer doors wouldn’t do anyone, or anything, harm…or allow anything to get inside. With the exception of some Ysanna in a grouping of caves not far from the base, it was quiet out in the forest.

Content, D-3PX allowed the ground sensors to continue their sweeps, as well as turning on the orbital, deep space sensors to give her warning when Dek arrived, not to mention keep an eye out for any other incoming ships. Leaving such things to the main computer, she moves out of the communications room and makes for the lift further down the walkway overlooking the main bay of the dock. Moving onto it, she presses the button to have it take her down to the next lower level, where the private quarters were. On personal instruction from Dek, she walked stiffly down the walkway until she came to a room that was not used very often. It was just off of the side Dek’s suite, and was the most luxurious room in the complex other then his.

Even then, R4-G12 was pulling the hover platform with the crate of female clothing down the walkway. Moving further inside, D-3PX looks around. The room itself was a little dusty, something she would take care of right away, but despite that, it looked as immaculate as it always did. Normally their guest would have been put up in the guest quarters, but unfortunately that was presently taken by that eccentric scientist that was designing a cloaking system for ‘Serenity’.

Things would be ready for Master Taddio, as they always were. D-3PX was nothing if not efficient, she always saw to things with an attention to detail that was unrivaled. Taddio depended on her to run the base when he was gone, depended on her with his only safe haven. Despite her metallic body, or the programming running through her circuits, that simple thing made her feel important. It wasn’t an emotion so much as her AI associating her Masters happiness with her duties with a sense of accomplishment.
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Onboard Serenity

It wasn’t above his notice that she took his statement about clothing the wrong way. He could tell, right then and there, that no matter how long they remained in each others company, it would always be that way.

As his R2 until rolled back in with a more verbal progress report, he smiled. The Ion Drives, both, were ready to be tested. Bringing up the test protocols, Dek transferred power back to the Ion drives. While they powered back up, Dek turned his head a little to regard his guest.

“First of all, Anka, you could walk around this ship naked for all I care. I’ve seen more naked female bodies in my days as a slave then most men three times my age could hope to see. I was merely stating what I thought was there, nothing more.” He smirks, “Of course, you seem to be combative by nature, so I am sure I could give you a compliment, and you would find something to complain about.”

It was an observation, nothing more. She was also quite conceited, from what he could tell. Teaching her things in and of itself was giving her quite a lot in return, whether she realized it or not. Curious though, about her ‘offer’, Dek merely asks, “And what is it that you want?” He didn’t really NEED help, not the way she was trying to make it sound. For many years he had been completely alone, just he and his droids to go about his business. But there was no denying the help that another individual could provide him in his business endeavors.

As he waited for her respond, he fed some information to the R4 units, needing a few adjustments made to the Ion drives before firing them up for the test run. These adjustments were made easily, and soon his hand was hovering over the Ion drive activator. Without warning, he pushes it forward, and the Ion Drives both fire to life with a loud whirring, pushing them into hyperspace. His computer was already monitering the energy output, and all the other functions of the drives.

Pulling back on the activator, ‘Serenity’ comes out of hyperspace, and back to its slow sub-light crawl. As the information came back to him on the display screen, Dek rubs his hands together. “Excellent.” The drives, as he suspected, were far too damaged to be overly reliable. However, they had been repaired enough to be useable. Their power consumption was well above what it should be, but it would be enough to get them to his base so that they could be relatively safe, and would allow him to make permanent repairs to his beloved ship.

Ceeta:

Cet looked skyward the moon Mim more visible for once than its sister Nerit, laughter chimed to his ears as he continued to watch. Eyes darting to the sound as a smile split his features under the mask, children running around between the legs of the on of the many giant quadrapedal beasts that the Ysanna Nomads tamed for pack animals, riding beasts and sometimes food.

This day was relatively clear, having recently been turning to night. The constant electrical storms that raged across the planets surface were mild today, even breaking in some parts. More superstitious elders believed it was a change in the times. Something was about to happen, nothing of course happened. Ossus was as it always would be. He spun the double headed spear about in his right hand, leaping off the rock he had been perched upon. " Nawa fetch my water from your mother. " He yelled out to the hooded little form of a girl who was playing some silly game involving bone dolls. A glare was cast at him then a quick scampering form took off, blonde hair vanishing into one of the hide bound teepee shaped temporary tents.

He turned looking back up towards the heavens wondering what it must be like to travel the stars. These sort of thoughts had been surfacing more and more with each ship from Coruscant that arrived to gather artifacts from the old Jedi Library, as well as the other ruins they could extract from. At times he wondered what would be done if he just hopped onto one of the ships and left with them, how would his people respond? They may be content with the nova scorched destroyed wasteland that Ossus was, but he was not. Perhaps his friend Dek would return, maybe he would leave with him, a tugging on his sleeve brought his attention down to the small girl upholding a canteen for him. A smile on her face. " Thank you Nawa... " He said calmy, getting a " Welcome Ceeta. " back. The girl, looked so much like him, yet very few had placed she was his daughter and not the chieftans sons offspring. Interestnig how such things worked out, though most rarely removed their masks so it made it abit more difficult to place.

[Taddio Tara'dek]

Taddio Tara’dek

Dek’s Base on Ossus

“FINALLY.” The rather eccentric scientist blurted out as the stygium crystal cloaking device began to hum. It was an odd looking device, one designed specifically for the space vessel known as Serenity. Taddio had provided him with pretty much anything the scientist had needed, and had granted him space for a lab for this very task. It was a very unique business venture, to say the least.

Using the small remote in his hand, the device phased out of sight. With a wicked grin, he pushes the button again and the power is cut off, the device once more phasing back into sight. “Finally, I’ll be able to market this device all over the Republic. All that’s left is to install this into the Yacht, run some tests, and I can start selling them.”

Cloaking devices, while rare, were not an unknown thing. But Malcolm Reed was hoping that with his modifications would make them more accessible to the public, and increase his profits immensely. And with ‘Serenity’ being his first customer, he couldn’t think of a better display model for his ventures. For Dek’s part, he was getting an easy charter, and 20% of the profit, not to mention a cloaking device of his own. Something that a vessel of its size wouldn’t normally have.

Taddio had met Malcolm some years ago on a planet in the outer rims. Even then the man has been obsessed with his life’s quest. Of course, Dek had known then it wasn’t out of any need to help others, it was all about the technology and the money. No matter how you sliced it, though, Dek had seen much promise in the scientist’s work. It was why he had saved the man from the inhabitants of the planet who were intent on killing the evil magician whose home would appear and disappear at random.

“Are you in need of assistance Sir?” The slightly effeminate voice of D-3PX interjected into the doctor’s moment of triumph. The loyal droid had heard the shout, but had not understood its implications.

“Oh, 3PX, no…everything is fine. Just got a little excited.” He paused, and then asked. “When if Taddio scheduled to return? I have good news for him.”

“Master Taddio should be returning in but a few hours.” The protocol droid responded in her usual robotic manner.

“Excellent. Have the R4’s prepare a hover pad. The cloaking device is ready, and I want to start installing it the moment Dek returns. Serenity is gonna be a whole new girl after this.” Malcolm exclaimed, rubbing his hands together brusquely. He was eager for this opportunity, ever since he lost his job on Coruscant, since he had been laughed out of the scientific community.

“Of course Master Malcolm. As soon as they finish their tasks for Master Taddio, they will do as you instructed.” D-3PX responded in her cordial way before leaving the room once more. The R4’s would handle the technical details of the transporting of the device that the scientist had so painstakingly created. Even as she left the room, she could hear the service platform powering up. It would take the platform holding the device down to the lowest floor, where the R4’s would then take it via hover pad out onto the docks floor once ‘Serenity’ had docked.

As the protocol droid returned to her station in order to process the request to the R4’s, another message was waiting for her. Master Taddio needed her to try and get in touch with Cet. Without wasting much time, 3PX brought up the communications grid while putting in the orders for the R4’s. Cet had a small communicator that Dek had given him in case either needed to get in touch with the other. It had a low range frequency that was unique to these devices, one that could be bounced from small relay stations, and wasn’t very likely to be picked up by the Miners, or anyone off planet.

With the orders given to the R4’s, 3PX opens up the frequency and opens up communications with a blast of 3 sharp beeps, one drawn out whine, and another sharp beep. That was the agreed upon signal, and hopefully Ceeta would hear it and respond.

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Onboard Serenity

Anka seemed to be at a loss for words, which was surprising to Dek. Anka seemed like the type that could talk all day and night about herself without bothering to take a breath. Something a lot of slave went through, a self-indulgent phase that came from the knowledge that they were now free, and had to learn self-reliance. With a simply shrug of his shoulders, Dek makes the final calculations for the jump to light speed, and their course to Ossus.

Even though she was being somewhat quiet, Dek was quite sure that he would be getting an earful once she thought up a suitable response. Such things mattered little to him, though. D-3PX had a lot to do, but he had one more task for her. Sending off a message to his base, Dek made it clear that he wanted the silver protocol droid to make preliminary contact with his friend Cet. Cet had contacts, or at least he claimed to, within the Jedi order. Jedi that he said he had made contact with often while they were on planet, salvaging what they could from the old temples for transport to the new temple.

Content that 3PX would handle the situation with her usual efficiency, he returns his attention to the Navcom. Punching in the new information, he forms a course, and locks it into the Navcom.

“Here we go.” He says to himself, though she could hear him easily enough. Pushing forward on the activator, Serenity gives a short lurch as the Ion Drives power up. In mere moments, the stars turn into white lines as they blast into hyperspace. It was only a matter of time now before they arrived on Ossus.

Getting up from his seat, Dek walks over to the locker where he had placed his lightsaber. Anka seemed much more calm now, and since a fight between them didn’t seem likely for the moment, he wanted to have his trusty weapon handy. In space travel, and on the planet Ossus, one could never be sure when such a weapon could come in handy. It wouldn’t be the first time that Dek had had to use his lightsaber to cut a power cord to prevent an overload, after all. Securing it on his belt, he finally heaves a slow sigh. So much had happened in such a short amount of time. Not even a full day had passed since his arrival on the planet of Tatooine, and since that time he had been shot at, threatened, gained an ex-slave as a begrudging passenger, nearly had his ship blown out from under him, and just barely managed to squeak his way out of a pirate trap. What else could go wrong?

An’ka:

It seemed that soon enough they would be where they were going. Perhaps now was not the time to be coy or to take anymore chances. Anka’s thoughts roamed back to when she had been a child, when her father had done the worse thing that any father could do to a child. Moving to her feet, she walked slowly about the choobiepit of the ship, her moves slow and graceful as she stared out the window, she had heard his question and she had an answer, she just wasn’t sure that it was one that he would want to here, not now or ever.

Turning to face him, she crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes looking to him for nothing more than to make sure that he was paying attention to what she was saying. “What I want is simple. I want you to help me kill the man that kept me as a slave and then I want to go to Ryloth. It’s easy really, a favor for a favor. If those other men had kept their part of the bargain then that slaver scum would already be dead. Instead now we have to be on the run.”

Having spoken what she needed to say, she waited for a response, watching him as he moved to retrieve his lightsaber. As the ship lurched forward a bit, Anka held on to the chair behind her, a tiny perfectly symmetrical brow arching as he hooked his weapon to his belt. She wondered why he might need it but decided it was best not to ask.

Following his lead, she moved into the room where she had left her pack and her pike. Grabbing her bag, she stuffed her clothes into it, her fingers wrapping around the vibro pike as she picked it up and held it in her hand. A few drops of blood were dried to the tip, a small smile coming over her face as her lekku twitched slowly.

Moving back to where Taddio was, she shrugged her shoulders before tossing the pack over her left one, the pike held tight in her right hand. “I suppose since you think you need that I need this.” Her free hand moved to gesture at his lightsaber. Her eyes looked as if questioning why either of them would need weapons, perhaps it was just so that they would be secure.


Of course it had been a long time since she had felt secure, or safe, and she didn’t think that this was going to change anything. “Where are we anyways, or rather, where are we about to be, and what is it that we are going to do while we’re there?”

Shifting on her feet, she held her head high, her small narrowed eyes giving him a once over. There was nothing more to do now, she knew that she had to trust this man or be alone.

[Taddio Tara'dek]

Taddio Tara’dek:

He watched as Anka moved about, listening as she spoke while he resumed his seat. It wouldn’t be long at all now before they were going past the Cron Drift, and from there, they would be before the Planet of Ossus.

“Murder is never simple Anka. But you have a deal.” It was said just like that, that simply. A part of Dek understood what Anka needed…something that he himself had never had to opportunity to do. Take revenge. “I don’t know why you want to return to Ryloth, but that’s your business, and none of mine.”

It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that he had taken a life. One of the many reasons that he had never wanted to become a Jedi, even though he knew he could have easily become a part of the order. He had always floated in between the concepts adopted by the Jedi and the Sith, being no more of one, then the other. Dek has his own code, one that he followed without fail.

Leaning back in the pilots seat, Dek relaxes a little, though he could hear Anka fiddling with her gear. He nearly fell out of his seat as he saw her entering with her damned pike. Instead, he merely shook his head. “Since you know nothing about ships, I sincerely doubt you’re holding that pike for the same reason I have my saber SAFELY belted.” He made a point to accentuate that word, as he turned the seat to face Anka. “More then once, I’ve had to cut a bulkhead, or sever a power cable, in order to do something on this ship in an emergency. You just seem to want to fight.”

He merely shrugged his shoulder though, turning once more to face the choobiepits glass steel canopy, looking out into space as they cut through it. Already he could see in the distance the blot that heralded the Cron Drift.

“We’re heading for the planet Ossus, in the Adega system.” He answered her honestly, tilting his head to look back at her. He had thought he had already explained this to her earlier, which he had, though not in such detail. “The plan is painfully simple. We need to put down for repairs, not to mention get our bearings before striking back out again. Plus, I’m hoping that a friend of mine, two of them actually, can help us out. One is a scientist, the same one that designed the system that allowed me to locate that cloaked Sith vessel. The other is a Ysanna. That’s what the indigenous people of the planet are called. He had contacts among the Jedi, and I’m hoping we might be able to get a hold of one and enlist some help against the Sith that attacked us.”

He laid it all out in front of her, trusting her, to a point. If she tried to betray him, he would kill her. His eyes lingered on her for a moment, admiring her slim hips and waist, and the narrow ribcage that gave her a figure any man could appreciate. It was a feature common among the Twi’lek’s, which was one of the many reasons their species was so saught after for slavery. Pure eye candy. Of course, it didn’t hurt that the Twi’leks were notorious for not being able to conceive children from outside of their species. The perfect trait for a slave, especially when one was used for pleasure.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Dek turned away from her. It had been way too long since last he had been with a woman. They certainly didn’t need that kind of complication in their arrangement, and as such, he quickly put his mind to other thoughts. “How about you your bag and pike down. Its going to be a couple of hours yet before we actually land in my base of Operations. Unless of course you find some sort of pleasure in being uncomfortable.” He chuckles softly as he waits for a response from 3PX about Cet. If everything worked out well, he could go to Cet, or Cet would already be waiting for them, after they landed.

Nameless Hate:

" Sure is beat to poodoo. " Said the broad-shouldered man. Arms folding across his chest. His balding head standing out above the goggles he wore. Thickly muscled chest flexed as he stared into the bacta tank. " Any good reason why we're sparing his ass? "

The shorter of the two, a blue skinned chiss man shrugged. " I wanna know where he got this ship, its technology is like nothing I've ever seen before. " He adjusted his collar looking towards the commander of the Starhell, Ester Vrel. The medium heighted black haired mans scarred face seemed lost in thought, somewhere off in his own little world.

" Vrel? " Said the chiss cooly, clearing his throat.

" Yeh... sorry, was thinking about something. The ship... it was called an 'Infiltrator' by the pilot who escaped us. " He stated, turning to leave. His helmet tucked under his arm, " Anything else? " He said before he exited.

" No, that'll be all. Thank you Vrel. Go do whatever it is you pirates do on your off time. " He said to the other man, turning around to look at the monitor. " This echani... hrm, I can't find him anywhere in any database. Intriguing, alien technology, with an alien face. Perhaps hes just never been registered by Corsec or the Republic. " The brawny man looked over then back at the tank, walking to the table near it picking up the lightsaber turning it around in his hand.

" Think hes a Jedi? " he questioned the rogue scientist.

" I would not believe so, from Vrel's report its not the style of way a Jedi would attack, nor are the rest of his weaponry." He said, walking over to the table lifting up the sword, and then the lanvorak. " Perhaps the myths are not really myths at all. " He mused.

The other man set the lightsaber down, then looked at the other. Swallowing, " You mean stories of Sith? I thought you didn't believe in that hokey ancient religeon poodoo."

" I didn't. " Repiied the blue-skinned man, turning over the armor in his hands, smiling slyly.

Ceeta:

Cet shouldered the slug thrower as he climbed up the last rocky hill. Staring towards the sky again as if expecting the 'Serenity' to descend to it's hidden base. Glancing back across the rocky terrain, a storm having picked up recently making this little journey abit more dangerous. He didn't need his eyes to tell him Dek was returning the force being strong in most Ysanna as it was. Him being no exception he had a knack for seeming to know when the man would arrive and not, or perhaps he was simply anxious. Nothing anyone would be able to tell by his naturally stoic demeanor.

He continued to scramble upwards, making sure he cleared the distance before the storm picked up. His tribe having camped out not far away, the role of liason between this outsider and them fell upon him. One of the only reasons Dek was allowed to exist here for so long, it fell on his shoulders after his cousin had died, at first he had been wary and untrusting of the man. Then realized he was neither Sith, nor Jedi. He found it easier to warm up to him. He paused as he looked down at the monstrous beast that was scaling up behind him, clicking his tongue to get its attention then speaking to it.

" Stay Kulta. " He motioned with his hand for it to lower, it released a whine that seemed very unnatural for its large broad fang filled mouth, floppy leather ears drooping as its massive frame lowered, its hide had adapted to the electrical storm over the centuries of genetics passed down into it. Enabling it to withstand electricity rather impressively, when the creatures died they would turn their hides into cloaks, and clothing. Something Cet himself sported a good amount of.

He hopped down, and picked up his long legged stride, making his way towards the entrance. Stoppng as he waited, to be seen by whomever was inside, a droid or that odd scientist he'd met last time. Never sure what kind of toys his 'friend' had installed on his base. Turning around to look towards the incoming clouds, lightning blue they seemed to almost glow. Beautiful in a dark way. Leaning upon the double headed spear, one side dull from such constant abuse, the other razor sharp. Inside of it was hidden a length of chain that could extend on either side. A useful tool fo rmany things, beast taming, climbing, combat, the list goes on. Pride in the weapon made the tall man smile inside of his mask, wondering why exactly he was thinking about it right now. The force would tell him so sooner or later no doubt, it worked in strange ways and he was no wizard like most of the elders, just a warrior...

An’ka:

Anka smirked and said no more as she heard him say that she had a deal. Her mind drifted for a moment, thinking about what it would be like to choke the life out of the one that had kept her captive for so long. She thought about what it would be like to wrap her hands around his neck, to watch his eyes bulge out of his head as he tried to gasp for breath. To leave him laying lifeless in the middle of the sand, or even better to leave him barely alive, letting the sand people find him and tear him limb from limb.

And then of course she would go to Ryloth, and her father would feel and see all the pain that he had caused her over the many years. As she looked to Taddio, she held her pike tightly in her hand. “This is no more unsafe than that thing you have belted to you, it would only cause any damage if I chose for it to do so and at this time I do not, I believe that you worry too much.” Siting down in the chair opposite him, she laid her pike across her lap, pulling her back from her shoulder and tossing it onto the floor, her eyes looking out at the darkness.

As she heard him speak of where they were going, she merely nodded her head, there wasn’t much that she could add to it really, and there was not a lot that she could do until they got to where it was that they were going. Perhaps once they were there she could explore some, and see what trouble she could find while they waited.

As Taddio spoke of the Sith, she sighed, she wondered if the man would continue to come after them or if he had just disappeared all together, either way she knew that if they ever met up with him again, it wasn’t going to be a pleasant thing. Grinning she turned back to face him “Are you worried, do you think that he might come after us still...does that make you afraid..you know he would kill us both don’t you?”

It was a question that didn’t really need answered, and as she raised a brow at the look that he was giving to her, she knew what he was thinking, she had seen the look too many times before. “Would you like me to stand up so you can have a better look, or perhaps you would like me to strip or dance for you.” Snickering softly, she felt the ends of her lekku twitch, slowly as she rested her hands in her lap.

[Taddio Tara'dek]

Taddio Tara’dek:

Dek’s Base on Ossus -Tranquility-

“Careful you bolt heads, that’s a sensitive piece of equipment.” Malcolm blurted at the R4 units pulling the hover pad away from the lift.

They didn’t have far to go, since it had to remain inside of this storage room until ‘Serenity’ actually landed. Once the hover pad was clear of the lift, and stowed in a safe corner, the turned as one at Malcolm and sent at him a series of beeps, whirs and whines that would make any one blush. Unfortunately for them, Malcolm had never bothered to learn any of the droid languages.

Without waiting for a response, the R4’s wheeled out of the storage area they had been in, and go about their other duties to prepare for the ships arrival. Malcolm didn’t even seem to notice as he went over the new cloaking system he had designed. It was his baby, and anyone that bumped it, or scratched it, would have hell to pay. “Worthless droids.” He muttered, even though nothing on the device had been the slightest bit disturbed.

Meanwhile, in the communications area, 3PX stood waiting. As a proximity alert popped up on the ground sensors, the protocol droid pulled up a display monitor and went through a series of images from the base until she came upon the sight of Ceeta creeping towards the base. Such a silly human that one.

3PX then walked out of the room, and along the steel decking. The design of the base, in itself, was impractical. To get to the exterior hatch in which Cet was approaching, one had to walk the entire way around the dock. Impractical, yes, but defensible. A pair of turbo-laser turrets rested, one on either side of the huge bay doors. Of course, most of these things had existed long before Dek had even been born, placed here by the miners. Dek had merely added upon, and fixed.

After a length of time, the droid finally approached the door. Touching a pad beside the hatch, she brought up an image outside of the door. Seeing no one around but Ceeta, she opened the hatch. “Please come in Master Ceeta, and welcome again to ‘Tranquility’”

At that moment, the huge bay doors began to screech and grind as they opened slowly. The ground began to shake, dirt and particles falling through the crack that was widening as the twin doors slide apart. 3PX begins to topple, but grabs ahold of the door frame and clings as it takes more then a few minutes for the process to complete, the doors making a loud clunking noise as they stop, an opening wide enough for ‘Serenity’ now present. If either Ceeta or 3PX were to look skyward, they would see the Space Yacht making its approach from the atmosphere.

“If you will follow me Master Ceeta, Master Taddio will be landing shortly, and it would not be wise to be out in the open.” The silver protocol droid, shakily, walks back in through the hatch and makes her way into a room off to the side. Once Ceeta joined her, she would seal the hatch back up.

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Onboard Serenity

He growled as she jabbed him with the butt end of her pike. The choobiepit was roomy, but not THAT roomy, considering she was sitting in the co-pilots chair, which was right next to him. But he didn’t say anything more, lest he grow angry and throw her ass back into the cargo bay. She might be eye candy, but her personality needed a drastic overhaul. But as it poked at him constantly, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut.

“This is MY ship. You wanna be the little princess that gets her way, then I suggest you find other transport. I asked you to put that damned thing down because there is not enough room in here. MY lightsaber isn’t jabbing you right now, now is it? Although, I could change that if comes to it.” He asks with more then a little sarcasm in his voice. He had been more then generous in allowing her on board, even more so by agreeing to kill for her. But even he had limits to his patience. That was when the dark side showed in him. Taking a quick, calming breath, before saying anything more, he looks over at her.

“Would you please put that weapon down. If you really feel that threatened by me, then by all means, go sit in your room until we land. Or will you at least lean it away from me so that it’s not poking me? I’m trying to pilot a ship, in case you didn’t notice. Here, will this help?” With a roll of his eyes, he takes his lightsaber off and places it on a hook to the side. After that, he didn’t bother to look at her again.

“Worried? No, not really. I lost all fear of death a long time ago. But I’m sure he will at least attempt to find us again. He was, or is, a Sith. And Sith, once challenged, don’t tend to back away and lay down unless they are preparing for something bigger.” Dek shrugged his shoulders, looking at the display in front of him, telling him that they were nearing Ossus. Punching in a few commands, he prepares to come out of lightspeed.

He coughs, choking on his own saliva as Anka spoke again. “Get off my bridge, NOW.” He says vehemently, not the least bit amused by her choobiey attitude. “I certainly don’t need some naked bimbo bouncing around while I’m trying to pilot. Get over yourself.” She was rapidly wearing away his patience with her snide comments and constant neurosis. “Fine, I was looking at your body. It’s attractive and I haven’t been with a woman in quite awhile. Doesn’t mean I want you. Clear enough?”

Any thoughts he might have had about her body and his joining were now gone. She might be good to look at, but her attitude was caustic. It just didn’t seem to be worth the trouble of getting past it for a momentary pleasure that might, or might not, be worth it. And somehow, he doubted that it would be worth it.

Pulling back on the activator, ‘Serenity’ powers down and slowly comes out of hyperspace. The brown, red, and yellow plant of Ossus loomed before them as they returned to normal space, the Ion Drives shutting down and the sub-light engines taking over. Unlike earlier, during the crisis, the transition was much smoother. Of course, that was because he wasn’t trying to make a U-turn while still going at light-speed. Taking over piloting, he simply ignored Anka, and any snide comments that might be coming back at him. He simply couldn’t give her that much attention anyways, not when they needed to land.

In a matter of minutes, they were in the outer atmosphere of the planet. ‘Serenity’ was shaking a little at the sudden change, until they broke through a cloud bank, and then their path smoothed out. Firing landing thrusters, their descent begins to slow considerably, the huge bay now visible through the ships canopy, and then the display screen as Taddio switches controls over to the computer in a preprogrammed landing sequence. With a grinding sound, landing legs begin to come out from the ships hull. Thankfully they had not been damaged in the firefight with the Infiltrator.

“This is ‘Serenity’. All clear for landing?” He asked after opening up the dedicated link to ‘Tranquility’s mainframe. Almost immediately, the R2 unit responded with its usual beeps and whoops, indicating that all was clear for landing.

The noise increased substantially as the ship moved closer and closer. Finally, after several long minutes, ‘Serenity’ touches down with a loud clank. The sound of the engines powering down fills the bay of the base, until the outer doors began to close once more, adding their shrill screeching to the conflagration. With the sharp clank of the bay doors closing and locking, and engines finally powered down, Dek connects to the main communication relay of the base.

“All clear.” His voice echoes throughout the base as the internal speakers broadcast his message, letting everyone know that it was all clear to enter the bay once more. Turning his head to look at Anka, he motions to her. “You can go ahead and wait in the cargo bay, if you want, I need to take care of a couple things here first. 3PX will show you to the room I had her set aside for you.” Figuring at this point that she would want to be away from him, after the tongue lashing he had given to her.

Even as he spoke to Anka, his fingers brushed over a panel, which slid open to reveal some controls for the cargo bay of the ship. Pushing a button, he then slides a lever forward, and the large bay door of ‘Serenity’ unseals, unlocks, and opens slowly with a loud whirring. The R4’s had their instructions, and would pull out what crates they needed to, and re-supply the ship with their usual efficiency. No doubt also bringing the cloaking device onboard as well. He wasn’t worried about those things just yet, as he oversees the final landing sequences through to completion as all the non-essential systems shut down one by one.

As they finally all locked down, he rose from his seat, grabbing up his lightsaber. Walking out into the common area of the living quarters, he opened up the door to his quarters and picked up the duffle bag that held his possessions and slung it over his shoulder before heading back out, into the cargo bay, then down the ramp that the bay door created once it was open.

“Children, Daddies home.” He calls out with a laugh. He loved being out in space, traveling among the stars. But there was really no feeling quite like coming home.

Ceeta:

Ceta looked at the droid then upwards. Hesitating a moment before he ventured forth. Not speaking to the automaton, never having really spoken towards or to it. He honestly, was uncomfortable around droids, he'd seen a few live long enough near old sites to awake then explode, even one that was brought to life animated and managed to kill a child before several of their nomadic tribal warriors ripped it to pieces.

He followed the mechanical servant inward. His arm adjusting the strap that held the 'primative' slug-thrower up over his shoulder. Looking along the walls and ceilings, despite his aversion to droids he did enjoy the look of technology, it was new and interesting, something outside of his world that he could envelop his imagination in. Sighing Ceta looked back down the way they were headed, keeping his thoughts to himself. The droid after all was just some piece of animated metal.

Taddio Tara’dek:

[size=14Dek’s Base on Ossus -Tranquility- [/size]

3PX stood by one of the windows, watching as Serenity slowly descended through the massive bay doors to land. Standing within the confines of the room, they were protected, for the most part, from the noise of the ships large engines, and the stir they created on the landings.

When it was safe too, the silver protocol droid pushed a button on the panel beside the door, which opened with a swooshing noise. “Please, follow me Master Ceeta.” The droids metallic, feminine voice called to the man before stiffly walking out the chamber, and down the steel ramp ways. Her footsteps echoing through the entire base as steel met steel.

She paused long enough to make sure that the man was following her, and then once she was indeed sure, she continued on with her stiff legged gait. Dek’s voice, in the meantime, echoed throughout the base, announcing his arrival…as if they didn’t already know.

3PX stopped on a section of the walkway which was almost directly in front of ‘Serenity’. This section doubled as a lift that ran from the top deck, down to the lower part, saving anyone a long walk. Once more the droid waited until Ceeta was situated before pushing a button of the small panel attached to the lift, which made the section of walkway begin to descend at a decent rate. [/color]

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Standing at the bottom of the ramp created by the bay door of ‘Serenity’, Dek puts his hands on his hips. Where was everyone? The sound of metal on metal reached his ears, which usually heralded the approach of 3PX. It sounded some distance away though.

His head turned slowly, taking in the sight of his land based home. It was the only home he had ever known, other then that of his Mistress. Hoisting his duffle bag and draping it over his shoulder, he steps out onto the floor of the base and starts heading towards the rooms set aside for base operations.

Anka was still inside of the ship, even though he had hoped that she would join him. If her intentions were to steal his ship, she would find herself severely disappointed. Not only had he completely shut the ships systems down, but he had also locked the command systems out so that no one but he could re-power up the space yacht. Halfway across the floor, and he noticed the sound of a lift descending, and his eyes lifted to the familiar sight of 3PX and Ceeta.

Lifting a pair of fingers to his lips, Dek lets loose a loud, shrill whistle that he was certain Cet would hear. Once he was sure that his friend had heard it and was looking towards him, he waves his hands and indicates the communications room. No doubt that was where 3PX was leading him anyways, but it never hurt to be sure. Walking the rest of the way across the floor, Dek stashes his gear in the room, then waits until both neared him.

“Thank you 3PX, I’ll handle things from here. Our guest Anka is still on board ‘Serenity’, go see if she needs any help. When she is ready, you can show her to her room, or if she insists, you can bring her here with Ceeta and I.” He instructed his droid.

“Right away Master Taddio.” she responded, then made her way across the floor to the cargo hold of the yacht.

“Well hello there Ceeta, long time no see. I didn’t expect you to be here so fast.” Dek extended his hand to Cet, offering a friendly clasping of hands. “How much did 3PX fill you in on?”

Ceeta:

Ceta walked quietly behind the droid following the clanking metal footsteps. Stopping once they got to the ramp, he leaned into the side as it descended. A shrill whistle caught his attention, he looked from the lift to the source of it and nodded masked face from where he was towards Taddio.

Upon stopping he followed the droid further towards the indicated communications room. Approaching the extended arm of his ally he shook it with a clasp of forearms. “Well hello there Ceeta, long time no see. I didn’t expect you to be here so fast.How much did 3PX fill you in on?”

" Hello Tado. Yes it has been a while, If the droid said anything I did not listen. You know how I am with mechanicals. " He stated matter of factly, his hand withdrawing to drop back by his side. " I'd much rather hear it from a real voice. " He looked past Dek off towards the Serenity, then back again. " You know I enjoy stories, as do my tribe. You'll have to share some more with me so that when I return I have something to tell. "

[Taddio Tara'dek]

Taddio Tara’dek

Metallic steps echoes along the floor as 3PX made her way to ‘Serenity’. The silver protocol droid had instructions, and she would fulfill them with her usual efficiency. Of course, she had no idea who this Anka person was, or what she looked like. But assumably, she was the only one left on board the ship.

Stopping at the base of the ramp, 3PX looks up into the cargo bay, and waits for someone to emerge. There wasn’t much point in climbing into the ship, at least at the moment.

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Dek smiled warmly as Ceeta clasped arms with him, a slight shake to affirm the strong grasps of each, and then they parted.

“Oh yes, I am well aware of your droid phobia. I must say, I’m surprised to see you here, I figured I would have to come to see you, not that I’m complaining. It makes things simpler now that you are here. Besides, it’s just as well that you didn’t get any info from 3PX. She couldn’t tell a story to save her life. But, speaking of stories, I have doozies for ya Cet.”

Taddio smiled as he slipped into the communications center of his base, a room obviously set up for meetings, either there in the room, or over the holonet. A large table rested in the center, just a simple table that had a few basic tech items implanted into it. Chairs dotted around the table were plush and comfy, something more conducive with some sort of business moguls office then a little backwater private base.

Moving around to the head of the table, he drops into his chair and sighs softly. It truly did feel good to be back home, and nothing said hello like his favorite chair. Indicating a chair in front of, and to the side, of his, Dek begins to speak again.

“Have a seat Cet and get comfy, this is one hell of a story, one I’m sure you’ll get a kick out of repeating to your tribe.” He waited until he had Cet’s full attention. Taddio knew that Ceeta was a bit of a technophobe, and yet he also has a love of new things…it was a strange combination, and one that he would never understand.

Dek went into storytelling mode, which he did with flourish…something that he had learned from Ceeta and his tribe some time ago. He began from his meeting on Coruscant, then delved into what happened on the planet of Tatooine. He left out few details, actually embellishing a few as he gets caught in his own web of storytelling. The subsequent flight from peril, and firefight with the Sith vessel, would no doubt enthrall the children of Cet’s tribe. The ending, however, was not nearly as exciting.

“And that Cet, is what brings us here.” Dek says to his friend as he leans back in his chair, watching Cet’s face. “We’re going to be here for awhile while repairs are made, but I was hoping that you still had some contacts amid the Jedi that I could get in touch with. Do you?”

Ceeta:

Cet adjusted the slug-thrower once again before he seated himself in the chair. Drawing it off and leaning it against the side, the heavy stock of it allowing it to rest easily against the arm just next to his forearm. He didn't comment on his 'droid phobia' instead listening to what stories Taddio intended to share, speaking in his normal quiet tone. " Yes, my family is hunting not far from here, migration of the undabeasts. It's thinning now, however, and soon we had back north. " He looked around, eyes wandering as if expecting to see something new. Seeming abit uncomfortable in the surroundings even though he had been here more then a dozen times already, as soon as Taddio began with his tales the nomad seemed to calm, and become enthralled, stories of stars, fighting, Sith all of it intrigued him, he would of course exaggerate parts of it more once he retold it to his people but what he had heard needed very little polishing.

Sitting back, digesting all that was said he stared off, getting a far-away look before he replied to Dek's final question. " There is a small party of them at the library. They have been there for several days, doing as they always do. Collecting samples and foraging the ruins. Right now Galyn's tribe has been spotted up there gathering and keeping watch over the Jedi. Meaning, if you went it would be dangerous... they know of your friendship with my family and would not look kindly upon your presence. " Cet looked up then around, his eyes shifting as he then spoke to Dek again. " Is someone else here? " He asked inquiringly, though untrained in the sense that Jedi or Sith were almost every one of the surviving natives on Ossus were force sensitives, adepts with a more 'primitive' way of applying use of the Force. Cet was no exception to this rule, he like his entire tribe possessed the Force to some degree, the unfamilar presence in this familiar place plucking at the hunters senses.

Taddio Tara’dek:

“Damnit, that’s not a good thing. I was hoping to get in contact with the Jedi and report this Sith group.” Dek responded as Cet finished up his statements. Galyn’s tribe was paranoid to the extreme, even by the standards of the tribal methods on Ossus. The last thing that Cet’s tribe needed was Galyn’s group breathing down their necks because he wanted to speak to the Jedi.

Of course, the Jedi always had technology on hand, and that meant that he could possibly patch a message to their ship, or ships, and hope that they got into communication with him. But that was a risk.

“Is there any way that you know of that I could get a message to them without raising the ire of Galyn and his group? You know the area, and the people far better then I do.” Dek finally asked.

Dek was well aware of the unusual Force presence in the people of Ossus, it was one of the many reasons that he had chosen this planet as a base for his operations. Neither the Sith or the Jedi took any real interest in the Tribal peoples of Ossus, so they never really bothered to try to find initiates for their orders there. Cet’s questions didn’t really surprise him, and as such, he answered right away.

“Yes, the Twi’lek I spoke of from the planet of Tattooine is on board my ship. You know how I am about slaves. I couldn’t just leave her there on the planet…especially since she knew what I looked like.” He chuckled, not that it mattered now since the Sith knew about his presence, what he looked like, and would probably have little trouble sensing him if they were nearby. “She’s just being shy and difficult right now. If she ever drags her ass out of ‘Serenity’, I’ll introduce her to you.”

Placing his hands on the table, twiddling his thumbs, Dek starts to mull his options over in his mind. He knew how much Cet didn’t like being in ‘Tranquility’, the technology unnerved him, and as such, he didn’t want to keep his friend stuck in here any longer then possible.

An’ka:

As the ship finally landed, Anka got an uneasy feeling about her, she wasn't keen to new places, she always seemed to get herself into trouble when she did venture into new surroundings, this man she was with though, he had helped her out of a bind and had promised to help her farther, so the least she figured that she could do would be to get her ass off of the ship.

Grasping her pike in her hand, she made her way through, to the door that had been opened, the end of her pike placed on the ground looking like nothing more than a walking stick as she stood there and glanced around, her eyes peering about before she began to descend down the ramp. Her long shapely legs carried her a few steps before she stopped, the lekku that had curled around her shoulders twitching at the ends as she tilted her head, looking for Taddio.

Confused at the fact that she didn't see him, she slipped down the rest of the ramp and stood at the end of it, her eyes looking at all of thing things around her, not exactly sure where she should go or what she should do. Anka held her pike tightly in her hand, not sure of anything at the moment. Jumping as a loud sound came from behind her, she decided it best to move away from the ship, her body language looking like that of a lost child.


As she looked around the bottom of the ship, she saw the droid that had been left there, taking a step back as it came whirling at her beeing and clicking. Nodding her head, she spoke softly "Lead the way then." As the little droid scurried off, Anka followed behind it, picking up her pace as it moved a bit faster than she did. As it stopped in front of a closed door, Anka listened for a moment, hearing his voice inside.

Not wanting to interuppt, she knocked lightly on the door, patting the little droid on the head as it continued to beep at her.

[Taddio Tara'dek]

Ceeta:

" You could sneak in. That would be dangerous, very. Galyn has many fine hunters in his tribe, they use the beasts almost as well as mine. " Which could have been the truth, or not. Ceta was known to embelish on his tribes abilities, making it seem like they were capable of more, but that was simple pride on his part. In his family and his people. " A twi'lek... many of my people have never seen one of those before. Execpt in the Archives, on the ho-low disks." His eyes clouded over a moment behind the mask, his hand reaching up to rub along the bottom half almost as if he was touching his chin underneath. " The mountains, you could move behind the base, noone goes through there. You would have to hurry and it is dangerous, not even the Tribes wish to make venture into those. Only when someone wishes to prove themselves do we. The storms and monsters that inhabit them make it a great risk. "

After that Cet gave a helpless shrug, not sure what else to say on the matter. He knew nothing of the transmissions that could be sent or recieved, and didn't want to question further of the Twi'lek, it could tell its own tales. Abit of nervousness seeping through his solid calm demeanor as he sat there, " The Sith stories are true then. " He mused outloud yet almost in a whisper, more speaking to himself in wonderment, the mask he wore was one such artifact of the Sith, or at least fashioned after old Sith masks, he wasn't sure it had an aura to it, one of menacing and bloody history. It was why he wore it, all of his tribe, and the tribes of those on Ossus wore masks, faces never seen by outsiders and rarely by members of their own people.

Taddio Tara’dek:

3PX stood at the base of the ramp as the Twi’lek girl finally emerged.

“If you would follow me Miss, Master Taddio has asked me to guide you to your chambers, or to where he is meeting with Master Ceeta.” She soft, if not completely mechanical, voice of the silver protocol droid met Anka.

Indicating that she wanted to go to the meeting, 3PX begins to lead her across the floor to the communications center of the base. Noises could be heard in the background as the crew from the mines arrived to begin repairs to the ship. They were familiar with the base, and would be quick about their work.

“Master Taddio is expecting you.” The droid said as they neared the communications room, stepping aside to allow Anka by, then slipping away to tend to the crew that would be repairing ‘Serenity’. Already the R4’s were bringing the cloaking device out and dragging it towards the ship.
---------------------------------------------------
What Ceta said was true, he could sneak in. But Dek wasn’t the one that would have to pay should he get caught. Ceta’s tribe would be the ones that would suffer. If ‘Serenity’ were repaired, it would be a simple matter of flying over. If it came to blows…well, Galyn’s tribe could hardly match up against the firepower of ‘Serenity’, nor were they likely to pierce her hull.

“No, I couldn’t risk your tribes well being. I will find another way. Perhaps with the Sith vessel out of commission, I can get ‘Serenity’ space worthy again and just return to Coruscant and try to get an audience with the Jedi Council. I couldn’t live with myself if someone got hurt on my account.” Dek finally responded to his friends idea. His thoughts of returning to Coruscant seemed the best bet, and considering that the council would insist on meeting with him before making any moves anyways made the decision that much easier.

Of course, he couldn’t discount the possibility of the Sith laying in wait for him there, or perhaps hiring mercenaries to take him out when he showed himself. But those were things that he wouldn’t let scare him off, and would be dealt with should they arise. In any case, he would have measures set up in advance that none of them were expecting.

“Sith Stories? What do you mean?” Dek asks Ceta as the words register in his mind.

There was light knock on the door, even as he asked the question. With two light taps to the vid display mounted in the table, he could see that it was Anka. Without ever leaving the chair he was in, Dek hit another series of buttons and the door swished open before Twi’lek. Standing, as was the custom, he nods his head in the direction of the door.

“Ceta, might I introduce Anka. A Twi’lek, my guest, and a bit of a pain in the tucus.” Dek threw that last part in just to get a rise out of the woman. “Anka, this is my friend Ceta. He is one of the natives of this planet. If you would like to come in and join us, you’re more then welcome to. Ceta and I were just discussing some idea’s, and possible ways of getting in touch with the Jedi council.”

An’ka:

Anka followed the droid as it turned away from her, wondering why he would be expecting her or why he hadn’t waited for her to begin with. She listened to the sounds around her as she followed behind the one that was leading her. She was not comfortable here, and really wasn’t sure how long they were going to be staying, but hoped that it wouldn’t be long at all.

Standing outside of the door, Anka listened as the two of them spoke. It seemed to her that she should have waited just a bit longer, she wasn’t sure what it was he was planning, but she did hope that he had not forgotten what he told her he would help her do. She had no doubt that the one that had been following them would continue to do so, until he caught them and killed them both. Probably with some hideous means of disposal no less.

After she knocked on the door, it took no time at all for it to slide open before her. As she saw Taddio stand and incline his head toward her, she would have smiled but didn’t. Her lekku twitched uncontrollably as she shifted on her feet before entering into the room. Looking to the other that was there, she listened as Taddio introduced her.

“A pain in the ass I might be, but not nearly as much as I can be, if you would care to test the theory.” Stepping farther into the room, she spoke to the other that had been introduced to her. “It is a pleasure to meet you Ceta, anyone that can put up with this man and call him a friend must be very worthwhile.”

Seeing as how Taddio was still standing, Anka slipped by him and sat down in the chair that he had been occupying. Crossing her legs at the knee, she looked at him and merely smirked as she sat back in the chair, her arms crossing over her chest right under the swell of her breasts, resting upon her violet skin as she spoke again.

“So what ideas have you come up with, and do you really think that they are going to believe all of this and help at all?”

Ceeta:

Stared at the Twi'lek oddly, his head tipping to the side as he observed her. Pushing himself up right to take a curious walk around her body. His slug thrower bouncing on his shoulders as he seemed to take a long interest in her leku(/likku? been a while forgot) " A pleasure yes. I have never seen one of your kind before. "

He stopped gawking and looked to Dek again then back to Anka. " Dek is a fine warrior and honored friend of my tribe. " His arms folded over his chest, his six five form standing quietly as he seemed to be sobering up from this new experience. Thoughtfully prodding around ideas he and Dek had already worked through, " Sith legend only, stories passed down by our people. One of the old seers believes they are getting ready to strike again, to blot out the stars and try to reclaim their dark throne. I myself have had feelings of things that stir. " He walked around the small area, watching the two as he waited for more, seeming as if he was mentally warring with something of his own.

" I may wish to join you... " He said at last.

[Taddio Tara'dek]

Nameless Hate:

" Well, by the Creator grace you have managed to live. Greetings to you warrior Sith. " Came a smooth voice.

Reddish eyes opened to stare around. His arms tensing as he struggled against his apparent bonds. A snarl escaping from Jy'kets lips realizing he was latched to a table that sat straight up and down against the wall.

" No need to struggle, you shall not, and have not been harmed. " Replied the blue skinned man across from him. A towering brute standing not far off in the shadows acting as a silent guard.

The siths body was latched by arms, and legs. Spread eagle on the upraised cage. The quick assessing of his situation didn't look all that grand, but it didn't look that bad either.

" Calm your self please... we'll release you once you hear our... business proposition. " The blue skinned man said slyly.

Taddio Tara’dek:

While Dek and the others are in ‘conference’, the crew from the mines arrives and docks in the secondary bay with their ship. After a brief conversation with 3PX, the crew gets right to work on the repairs to ‘Serenity’ with the promise of having them done by the end of the following day, if not before.

Malcolm was already hard at work, with the help of the R4’s, installing the Stygium crystal cloaking device into the ships systems. It was a system very similar to what the Sith were using, though this was not something that was known widely, even to Dek. It was a very rare thing, and something that Taddio would never be able to get his hands on if it were not for the help of the good Professor.

All in all, things were working on, or ahead, of schedule.
---------------------------------------------------
As Anka made her appearance, Dek had to smile. There was something more soothing about seeing the supple curves of a lovely female, then dealing with the often gruff and crude males that he usually had to in his line of work. She was certainly much better to look at, that was for sure.

“No no, that is quite alright Anka. I like a challenge, but I think you pose enough of one without adding more.” He said with a warm smile, amused greatly by the way that Ceta was looking the Twi’lek over. Though, that smile disappeared as she walked right by him and planted herself in his seat. Since he had not moved, and was literally standing right in front of it, he remained there, giving Anka a generous view of his rear.

Without turning, “We have been discussing quite a few options. Although, personally, I would prefer not to make any moves until ‘Serenity’ has been properly repaired. Regardless of the actions that I, we, take, I feel that we would be better served by a fully repaired, and fully functioning ship with an array of advanced weaponry. As for the Jedi? I sincerely doubt that they will help us much. But at the mention of Sith, I have a feeling they will feel the need to investigate, which should keep the Sith busy enough to allow us our freedom.” Dek responds to Anka’s question, a smile on his lips as he rocks back on his legs, lets his knee’s buckle, and sits down in his seat…and on the rather testy Twi’lek who had planted herself in a seat that was not meant for her.

Wiggling his bottom into her lap, he smirks wickedly. “Oh, I’m sorry, were you sitting here Anka?” The Twi’lek was not the only one that could be a pain in the arse. Ignoring the squirming Anka beneath him, and the subsequent attempts to dislodge him from the seat, he watches the ranged emotions of Ceta. That was usually a clue in that the man was deep in thought.

Giving Ceta a nod of his head, he acknowledged the compliment that he had been given. The friendship and respect from any of the tribes of the planet Ossus was something hard won, and definetly earned. It was something that Anka, perhaps, would not understand.

“My friend, you are more then welcome to join us. But make sure that it is what you want. Once we’re on our way, I won’t be able to come back right away.”

By this point, Dek figured that Anka had been sat on enough. Not to mention there was not much point in continuing the conversation. Unless Anka had a reservation to what they were doing, their course was set. “Shall I show you to your quarters Anka? And you are more then welcome to stay yourself Ceta. It’s going to be a little bit until the ship is repaired, so we won’t be leaving until the day after tomorrow in any case. Does anyone have any questions?”

An’ka:

Arches a brow as she sees her body being gawked at by the one called Ceta looks her over. Smirking a bit, she makes no motion to hide any of herself from him, figuring if he wants to look he might as well. Then she thinks perhaps it is that he has never seen one of her kind, her lekku twitching as he speaks confirming what she thought. “Yes well I suppose I am unlike anything you have ever seen, so do look all you want.”

As Anka stayed put in Dek’s chair, she gasped as she felt him sit in her lap, growling low under her breath, she pushed at him, trying to get him off of her. As she felt him wiggle and squirm on top of her, she growled louder, gripping a bit of flesh of his arm and pinching hard. “Get off of me.”

Shoving at him again, she gave up and sat back in the chair as he began to speak to Ceta, a smirk forming on his lips as she almost laughed, guessing his days of a slave and sitting in laps had come back to him quickly. She kept her thoughts to herself as she reached up and pinched him again, shifting her weight under him and just wanting him to get off.

Hearing Ceta say he may wish to join them, she thought it probably wouldn’t be a bad thing to have him along, perhaps then Taddio would have someone else to bother other than her. Taddio of course answered before she could say a word and as he finally got up off of her, she took in a breath of air. “You know you are a lot heavier than you look.”

At his next question, she merely nodded her head, her eyes looking to the other one, almost gawking at him as she did her. The tips of her lekku twitched slowly back and forth as she raised them and crossed them behind her back, letting them rest against her violet colored flesh.

“Yes I do think that going to my quarters would be in order, I need to get the feeling of your body on mine off of me somehow.” She really had no questions, everything had been pretty much answered, they would leave as soon as the ship was ready and fixed and it wouldn’t be a moment too soon. Of course all that would mean would be that she would then be back in to close a quarters with the man that annoyed her so much.

Ceeta:

Though Ceeta had observed the woman he was by no means gawking at her body. His simple curious gaze had diverted a while ago as well, finding their 'play' with one another abit uncomfortable he turned his back to them, staring around the room before speaking again.

" I will return day after tomorrow then. I go to tell my family goodbye. " with that he dropped the slugthrower into his hand and waited as one of the droids escorted him out. Leaving Dek and his guest to themselves with a curt bow as the tall man masked man took off.

[Taddio Tara'dek]

Taddio Tara’dek:

Standing as he was by the side of the table, he crosses his arms over his chest and looks at the pair in the room with him. Everything was pretty much laid out at this point, all that was left was to fill in the blanks and make it happen. His base on Ossus was a pretty well kept secret, with Anka being the only one off world that even knew of its existence. Well, besides the good professor that was.

Anka had spoken first, but he turned his attention to Ceeta anyways as he spoke and made his way to leave.

“Take your time my friend. We won’t be leaving until the day after tomorrow in any case.”

With that, he turned his attention back to Anka. “I was hoping to relax a few moments in my own quarters before dealing with ‘Serenity’, I’ll show you to the one that I had 3PX set aside for your use.”

Moving around the table, he moves to the portal on the heels of Ceeta, pausing at the steel door to wait for Anka. Once she finally moved to join him, Dek steps out and closes the door behind them before heading along the walkway. After a short distance the walkway turned into a ramp that went to the next level of the complex, and a lift that would take them to the higher levels that housed the living quarters.

Stepping up onto the lift, he waited for the Twi’lek to join him before putting it into motion. As it came to a stop, Dek takes a few steps to the side, then stops, leaning on the railing to look down at his ship. Sometimes, on those rare occasions that he stopped long enough to be able to do it, Dek just liked to look at his ‘Serenity’. Like its namesake, he just felt purely serene when he looked upon the curves and lines of his beloved ship.

Even as the forms of several men crawled all over her, and sparks flew the blown out section of hull was being cut down for a better fit for the replacement section that would be installed. ‘Serenity’ had certainly seen better days, but as always, she had survived to be repaired. In a matter of days, she would be whole again, as if nothing had been ever been wrong with her. Bulkheads replaced, yards of wire reconnected, and the niceties that made ‘Serenity’ who she was, would finally be back in order.

“Ah ‘Serenity’, if I could only find a lady as sturdy, beautiful, and as loyal as you.” Dek mused to himself, then quickly cleared his throat and turned to keep moving along the walkway. Sounds of the repair work could be heard down below, the sharp rap of solid soles on metal as they walked. Finally, Dek came to a stop before a steel door that was closed. Moving his hand over a panel, it opened with a ‘whoosh’.

“I’m sorry that it’s not very fancy, but it’s got all the luxuries and amenities…certainly more then could be found on Tatooine.” He said to her with a smile, “I hope you enjoy your stay here…of course, even if you don’t, its no skin off of my nose.” He said a bit flippantly as he winked at her, gave her bottom a quick pat, and then headed back down the walkway to his own quarters…to which he entered rather quickly.

Before the door closed though, Dek’s head popped back out with a grin on his face. “Oh, by the way Anka. Try not to fall in the sonic shower, I would very much hate to have to barge in to your rescue.” Yeah, the comment made no sense, really. He just wanted to get under her skin a little. If their trip to this base was any indication, it was something that he excelled at.

##########################################################

The crew of the repair vessel happened to be very good at what they did, having spent years around the mines repairing everything from tunnels, to larger vessels then even ‘Serenity’. Like a hive of bees, they swarmed over the ships hull, repairing it with all the efficiency of a horde of droids.

Taddio and the repair crew had known each other since the day that he had taken over the old abandoned, sealed off section of the mine. To the crew, it was a lucrative relationship, particularly in situations such as these. Without a crew of his own, Taddio was often forced to use their services in larger repairs. It was nearly impossible, after all, to do ALL of the repairs on such a ship without some sort of help. A horizon Class Space Yacht was a rather large vessel, to say the least.

Of course, the money that they received from Taddio wasn’t the only perk of their relationship. With his connections, Dek supplied them, and the mine, with many things that they would otherwise have to pay outrageous amounts for. Parts. Supplies. Even weapons. Taddio was family, in a way, a part of the crew…if only in an extended sense of the word.

He even came down and helped quite a bit, getting his hands dirty when he didn’t really have to. But Jack, the crew’s foreman, knew all too well just how important this vessel was to Dek. It wasn’t just a compilation of parts and energy. No, to Taddio, it was a living, breathing creature that was as important to him as any family member.

Minutes turned into hours. Hours turned into days. But as promised, by the morning of the second day, Jack was shaking hands with a very happy Taddio over a job well done. As usual, he wanted the crew to stick around and enjoy some great drink, but as always, there was work to be done in the mines that couldn’t wait. But then, that was the burden of having the best repair crew on the entire planet of Ossus.

“Thanks for the work Tad. It sure was nice getting out of those danky mines, if only for a couple of days.” Jack was quick to say he released the hand of Taddio.

“I should be thanking you. It would have taken me weeks to do all that work by myself, and even then I would have never been able to replace that entire section of hull.” He responded with a chuckle.

And with that, the repair crew gave their goodbyes before getting back into their own ship for the trip back to the mines. The good professor had already completed his work the day before, a job actually made easier by the fact that part of the ship had been blown open, since the repair crew had had to have half the ships wiring exposed in order to repair the damaged sections with new wire. It made running, and connecting, the wires to the proper systems of the ship to the new cloaking system.

It was a very welcome addition to ‘Serenity’, that much was for sure. And would certainly help them out should they run into a certain Sith master again, to say the least about the other sordid people that Dek had to deal with. In any case, the professor had regretfully told Dek that he would be unable to go with them, that during the installation of the system, he had discovered a way to streamline his system a little more. He spent quite a few hours, though, explaining in detail the system, and showing Dek how to use the modified panel to engage the cloak, as well as the sensors to detect other cloaked ships. Pretty cut and dry stuff, but very important for future use.

Ceeta had also returned from his journey to explain his planned absence to his family and tribe. Truly Taddio was surprised that Ceeta was so eager to go into space, it was something that the man had never shown any interest in before. And considering Ceeta’s phobia for technology, it was a prospect that sat at odds with the practical captain. But Ceeta was a tried and true friend, and he would give the man the benefit of the doubt. He definitely owed the man that much, considering that he would not even be alive if not for the cool deliberation of the planetary native he now called friend.

Not long after Taddio had begun renovations of the old mining facility that was now the base codenamed ‘Tranquility’, he was having troubles with an antennae array that he had temporarily set up until he could get the proper systems installed. ‘Serenity’ was still nothing more then a space worthy hulk, and Dek had been forced to climb the hill by foot. Not an easy prospect, and the only passable route took him in a wide circuit. Unaware at the time, he had crossed into the territory of one of the local tribes.

Well, apparently they had taken offense to his presence. For they were there, waiting, and not very happy. Thankfully, with his knowledge of the Force, his lightsaber, and his blaster, he was able to keep his own. It also meant that he was pinned down with no way of getting back to his base. He had already sustained a couple of hits, and he had wrenched his knee pretty badly during his uphill battle. Only the arrival of Ceeta’s tribe had saved his life that day, not that it had been a piece of cake with them either. But in the end, Ceeta had stood up and suggested that they take Dek captive, considering that he had been fighting with their rivals.

In the end, the tribe had chosen to free Dek, and adopt him into the tribe. Their reasons were there own, and never really shared it with him. It had to be for more then just his stories, even though the children and the men seemed to enjoy them very much.

Anka…now that was another story all together indeed. She spent most of her time cooped up in her own room, only coming out to get something to eat, then returning to her quarters without much conversation. Not surprising, Dek supposed, since she didn’t really seem to like him all that much. But now, it was time to get ready and go.

##########################################################

[/color=orange]He had been spending all morning preparing for their departure, checking, and then rechecking, the systems on board ‘Serenity’. Everything seemed to be in prefect working order, even better then before. Ceeta had gone off somewhere on the lower floor, though Dek wasn’t sure where. The R4 units were pulling out a palette of supplies to be stowed onboard, with two others already inside. The weapons storage had been resupplied as well, with another palette of extra’s tucked away safely.

Dek wasn’t about to be caught off guard again, not with so much at stake. Of course, he didn’t really believe for a moment that the Jedi council would actually act upon his information. What he was sure of was that the Sith would not take the risk, and would quite possibly go into hiding a bit deeper for a while. It wouldn’t be the first time that he was wrong, though, if they didn’t. It was all a giant gamble, but one that had no real downsides. Even if everything fell apart, they would only be back to square one, and no worse off then before. And if any part of it did work, well, they were all so much better off.

Walking down the ramp from ‘Serenity’s’ cargo bay, his eyes drifted towards the walkways. Neither of his companions seemed to be there, or anywhere in sight. Grabbing up a duffle bag, and a case, Dek climbs back up into the ship and deposits his things into his quarters before moving back to the helm. Flicking a few switches, and pushing some buttons, he brings some of the internal systems to life, a low thrum filling the confined spaces of ‘Serenity’. Tapping into the bases systems, Taddio opens a channel through the bases communications.

“Hey…guys, we need to get moving. Gather your things and get on board.” It was simple and direct.

As he closed out the connection, Dek turned to face his protocol droid. “Is there anything else that you need Master Taddio?” The metallic feminine voice asked.

“No 3PX, everything should be taken care of. Once the R4’s have the final supplies stowed and secured, ‘Serenity’ will be ready to go. Once again, ‘Tranquility’ will be under your care.” Dek responded with a smile.

“Yes Master Taddio, all will be taken care of.” The metallic voice responded before equally metallic steps sounded from the droid leaving. The R4’s had just finished up and were on their way out, heading to their alcoves to go back into hibernation until needed. Everything was finally ready, with only the firing of the engines, and the opening of the massive bay doors, left. Well, that and his passengers.

“Now where could they be? I figured that at least Anka would be anxious to get off of this rock.”

A few beeps, whoops, and whistles came back to him in response, bringing a smile to Dek’s face. R2-T7 sat there beside Taddio, looking out of the choobiepit window.

“No R2, I don’t think they are off doing that. Anka is too frigid. She’d give Ceeta frostbite, and that’s not a place a guy enjoys such a thing.” Taddio chuckled. [/color]

[Taddio Tara'dek]

Ceeta:

Ceta stood from his kneel his mask as passive and undreadable as the face underneath as he watched one of his three wives cry. His hand rising up to brush down her cheek as the tall nomad gave her a nod. " Do not worry, you have many sons between our family and will be well watched over by my brothers. The stars call to my soul as they have my entire life. " He would say to them he is meant for more but the conversation that would bring up he did not wish to get into. Stepping back as his shoulder rolled adjusting his rifle he called to his beast with a whistle it rushed over to his side lowering allowing him the ability to climb up onto it.

Returning to Dek's base and escorted in as he had the first time around he waited. His animal however he did not keep outside this go around it sat on its haunches next to him chewing a rather large bone found outside grinding sharp jagged teeth back and forth across it as the warrior passed back and forth his eyes scanning around every once in a while as he awaited Taddio.

An’ka:

Anka followed Taddio as they made their way to the lift that would take her to where she would be staying, as she stepped in with him, she cut her eyes to him, looking him over as he stared at that stupid ship. Crossing her arms over her chest, she closed her eyes, what did she care if he had more interest in the ship than anything else, it wasn’t like she really liked him anyways, he was nothing more than a thorn in her side that she had to stay with to get done what she needed to be done. Opening her eyes as she heard him speak, she uncrossed her arms, her lekku twitching slightly as they stepped onto the landing.

She gave him an odd look as they stepped before the door, shaking her head and stepping inside as the door opened. Looking to him, she nodded her head “It will be fine, no need for you to worry at all.” Anka gasped as she felt his hand on her, turning back to face him, snorting at his last comment and not even bothering to reply as she closed the door, moving across the room to get a shower and get ready for the trip.

After the time had passed which she did mostly by herself of course, Anka moved out the way that she had come up, taking the lift down to where the ship was. Stepping out onto the floor, she glanced around, looking at all of the droid units scurrying about, getting things ready for the departure.

Making her way to the ship, she glanced around, as she stepped up onto the ramp, walking up and into the ship, weaving her way into where Taddio was. Leaning against the wall, she just watched him for a moment, a slight look of annoyance coming over her face as she heard him call her frigid.

Clearing her throat, she stepped fully to the main part of the ship, dropping down in a chair and crossing her legs at the knee. Leaning forward she looked at him, her eyes roaming over him as she scoffed. “And let me guess, you think you have what it takes to melt the ice?”

Laughing she sat back looking around, not seeing the other one that was supposed to be with them. “Can we get a move on yet or what, we’ve been in one place long enough.”

Taddio Tara’dek:

Dek’s gloved hand flicks through another series of switches, a low, deep hum emanating throughout the ship as the ships engines went through their warm-up protocols. Without even looking at her, he smirked, and responded.

“Melt your ice? Not a chance. Haven’t the slightest desire to even try.” His words put out there with a hint of humor in his deep voice, but with such a deadpan look on his face. “Afraid I left my ice axe back in my room, sorry.”

Even as he was entertaining Anka, Ceeta was being shown onboard, and his possessions stored in the quarters set aside for him. This trip would be an eye opening experience for his friend, not to mention traumatic for a man that had never left the confines of the planet Ossus, or the boundaries of his tribes territory for that matter. But Dek wasn’t going to baby the man. He had far too much respect for Ceeta to insult him like that.

A light on the console began to flash, an indication from 3PX that everything was set to go, and that the hangar bay was cleared out. Laying one hand on the manual controls for ‘Serenity’, and one on a panel holding an array of buttons and switches, Dek looks over at his Twi’lek companion.

“As for moving, princess, I suggest you grab your tits and hold on.”

It was the only warning that he was gonna give her as the cargo bay door slammed shut, and the massive engines roared to life. It began as a general shaking of the ship, and then a dull drone as the ship began to lift up into the air and rise from the floor of the base. Switches were thrown, and buttons pushed as Dek focused in on what needed to be done, his eyes locked on the sensor readings floating before him.

In moments, that seemed much longer, ‘Serenity was breaking free of the bases massive doors and leaving the large opening behind as it lifted higher above the planets surface. Turning the hand that held the manual control, the ship begins to turn in flight, shifting for its jump into space. In mere minutes, they were breaking the atmosphere and flying off into the black coldness of space.

‘Serenity’ was once again whole, even better then whole with its new adjustments and additions. Their best bet was to retrace their steps back to Coruscant by taking the Perlemian Trade Route. It was a shortsighted plan, to be sure, but it was at least a plan, and Dek did his best work by the seat of his pants in any case. Unfortunately, it all hinged on even being able to get an audience with the Jedi. Oh well, they were back in space once more, and Dek was happily piloting his beloved ‘Serenity’.

[Taddio Tara'dek]

End post.

R/P moved to starwarsarrpee.proboards102.com - End of the Golden Age section Thread: Late 34 BBY: Departing Ossus (continued RP)

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