Capt. O'Neill was just as astounded as Thomas but barked out, "cut the comm chatter Cigna 10."
~Um, Leader. Where is the enemy?~ Sigmeund's voice crackled through on Darryl's private comm channel.
"I have no idea and neither does the commander." Darryl clicked back over to the squad's channel. "Listen up Cignas. It's still two on one. Let's get into an escort screen around the carrier and wait for further orders."
Everyone clicked an affirmative and quickly moved into position.
"Woooweee!!" someone across the room shouted. A pause. The sound of glass breaking would have echoed throughout the cantina but the music was cranked up to the threshold of pain for a deaf person. Aria saved her glass of water seconds before someone's overanxious hand knocked it over.
"Wanna dance Rasa?" A bright-eyed, blue-haired boy asked.
"I promised to buy you a drink, not dance. Have fun without me Chaz."
"You're no fun any--" he ducked down as a body flew over his head. Apparently the Yuzzem no longer cared for Orwin's attentions and hurled him across the room. Chaz stood back up with an awed grin. "That was cool. See ya 'round."
"What do you mean you no pay for mess? Come in here breaking things. Think I pay for it. Sheesh. Pay to stay or pay to go, Mehenny don't care. Break up my things, I'm not a rich Moff, you know." Mehenny was arguing with an out of control Talz, who towered over the Ugnaught-looking humanoid. Apparently this creature was the cause of the broken glasses earlier. Still Mehenny held his own and the Talz finally parted with a few credits and returned back to the dance floor.
Aria peeped at another couple really enjoying each other's presence, tangled in each other's arms. Along came another creature that wanted to cut in on the action. Aria couldn't stop herself from cringing when the female of the couple hauled back a limb and pulverized him. A drunken Rodian tripped over the unconscious body of the creature and decided that would be a great place to sleep. Within moments he was snoring. Shaking her head in disbelief, Aria turned back to the bartending droid and once again pondered whether or not she should rewire him again. Obviously the watered down slop it was serving earlier was much more suitable for this crowd.
The party lasted for a few more hours until someone managed to take a shot at Orwin. As the blast buzzed by the poor Osak's cheek, Mehenny jumped up on the stage and announced the bar was closed. It took another twenty minutes, and blaster threats before everyone got the gist and left.
"Look. Look at this mess. Sheesh. Think they were raised in barns with animals. Who clean this up? Who?" Mehenny was holding his head in shame, the place was in shambles and Aria was trying to toss the last patron, the passed out Rodian, out the door.
"I'll stop by before I have to report to my shift and help Mehenny. It was partly my fault anyway." Chaz said. "I think I invited everyone down here."
"Look at it this way Mehenny, you turned over triple profit with this party. More than enough to pay repairs." Dinorra was kicking trash out of the way trying to make it to the exit.
"How do I make triple profit with this mess?"
"Because my Deveronian friend started charging cover prices to come in. He knows a chance for a profit when he sees it. Just ask Matte for your cut, he's giving you fifty percent."
"Fifty? Spacelane piracy. My place, I deserve ninety percent."
"Sixty." Dinorra said.
"Where would you be without me? No cover charge then. Sheesh. Seventy-five."
"Deal! Matte?" The beast tossed Mehenny a bag filled with credits. "See you tomorrow you crook." Dinorra smiled and eased out the door.
"Crook? I not crook, people come here breaking up things. It's your fault Rasa. Always happens when you are here."
Aria tried to look innocent. "I didn't even invite any of these people. I just came by to see my old friend Mehenny and all of the sudden, the place filled up."
"You invite big mouth Chaz. Sheesh. All that was needed. Told everyone who could hear about party at Mehenny's. Didn't even let Mehenny know there was a party."
"I'll talk to him and make sure he doesn't invite everyone on the planet next time." Aria picked up another piece of a chair. "Where is your help Mehenny? You've got no waitresses and only one cook."
"We speak on this later, we will. Come, we are late and the missus has been expecting you. She call me on the commlink several times wanting to know where her Rasa was. Wanting to know when I bring Rasa in. Sheesh. Think she miss me like that every once in a while."
~Seek me out, oh Daughter of Pain. Allow me the chance to ease your troubles. Perhaps I could offer you a fresh perspective.~
Alia gasped, nearly choking herself before sitting up. Her first instinct was to panic, but the voice projected itself as calm, and protective, almost motherly.
~Who are you?~ she sent back tentatively.
~You will know. Seek me out.~
"Perfect," Alia muttered to herself. Nevertheless, she pulled herself out of bed and to the door. She was going to figure out who was calling her and why they seemed to know more than she did.
Her first reaction as she stepped out of the room was to quickly scan the area as she had her bedroom. The continued lack of any threats eased her mind, and she was able to relax as the Force lead her in her walk among the corridors of the Orbital Alliance base at Kashyyyk. 'This presence is so near, so....'
"Hello. I knew we would have to meet soon." Alia jumped slightly as the woman had taken her by surprise.
"Who are you?" she asked the mysterious woman.
"I am called Benoah Shenok," the woman answered. "I am a Miraluka."
Alia thought for a long time. It seemed like she should know something of those people, yet nothing came to mind. Benoah quickly told Alia of the plight of the Miraluka as they walked along for a while.
"Alia, I felt your uncertainty as I first stepped onto this station. I would like to work with you if I may. On my home world, Alpheridies, I am a counselor and a confidant to many. I have healed many not only of physical infirmities through the Force, but I have made their minds whole, helping them deal with their emotional troubles."
Benoah removed her veil and turned to Alia, allowing her to gaze into the Miraluka's soul. "If you will trust me, I would like you to ride with me to Dantooine"
With that accomplished, Bahumut had decided to leave for Corellia to check out some of his savings from the Imperial Bank. If he was lucky, all his IDs would still have their accounts open. That is, if he hadn't made an enemy or two from botched-up jobs.
On his way to the docking bay the Dragon Lord was parked in, he noticed a few odd species of aliens, and a human-looking female who had white irises and pupils. 'Don't recognize any of them,' he thought. 'I might want to look into the next Imperial terminal I see and try to find out some info on some more alien species and human-mutations.
After running the pre-flight check for his freighter and receiving clearance to leave, he set about programming coordinates. He cleared the planet's gravitational shadow and hit hyperspace.
"Dinner was wonderful, Thix." Flashing his date a grin, he shrugged the compliment off. "No, it really was. I'm so used to military slop that this place seemed like heaven."
"Well, the maitre'd kept wandering around and looking at everyone. Got a funny feeling about that guy. He made me nervous." Thix looked back over his shoulder at the receding restaurant. Truth tell, he'd had a good time. He'd just never admit it to Becky in front of her.
"Oh, so he paced a little. You can't blame him. If I had six legs I'd probably have to walk a lot to get rid of some energy too."
"It was the four eyes that bothered me."
"Ohh, you're impossible! No, paranoid." She hit him in the shoulder. "He was just doing his job."
Thix stopped and looked up at the building in front of them. "Here's our stop. Grant asked us to meet him here; see if he had any money left." Thix proceeded to model hypocrisy as he paced in front of the casino waiting for his second-in-command to exit. Minutes passed with no sign of him. "I don't really feel like going in there and searching for him." The building WAS, after all, a five-story structure.
"Thix, let him bet a year's wages. It'll humble him a little. In the meantime, let's get back to our hotel. We were told to report in tonight, remember? Besides, I want to see what happened with that Ord Pardron incident. I hope it wasn't bad..."
"I concede...Grant, though my pal..." Thix tapered his sentence off. ..doesn't mean nearly as much to me as you do.
They got a ride from the gambling establishment back to their slightly above-average hotel (Hey, being a Commander in the Rebel Navy oft-times has it's perks! Thix often quipped to his friends), paid the human driver, and exited. The building was a fifteen story Corellian style hotel, sporting the curves and frequent right angles of their architecture.
They parted in the lobby, Thix wishing that the night out had never ended. After checking in with the nearest Rebel HQ, Thix flopped on one of the twin beds in his room, and, sighing, flipped out the bright lamps. He'd return to duty tomorrow.
"I know that you've been hurt. I know that I can help you if you'll open up to me, but only that. I will not go into your mind against your will."
"But...how do you know?"
"I just do." She sighed. "Please, I know I can help you."
Trust. Alia sighed in return. "Back to Dantooine. Yes, I'll go with you. You may be my last hope."
Benoah allowed Alia to gaze into her opaque white eyes as she responded. "I was truly hoping you would come with me. I believe we have much to offer each other."
All of the captains were present in Bel Iblis' stateroom via hologram, and Tashannoc was there in person. They were all discussing what to do next, and no one was quite sure. Tashannoc spoke up.
"A group of mercenaries hit a convoy heading here just a 12 hour jump away. It seems likely that they were part of an assault, whatever that assault was going to be. However, their own Interdictor worked against them, and pulled some of the reinforcements heading here out of hyperspace. We recovered the experimentals that were stolen, and then let the mercs leave, to prevent any more casualties on either side.
"I think it's safe to say that they won't be coming to party any time soon, but I don't know about anyone else. I think we should stay here for a few more days, put some of the fighters on training exercises, while others patrol. Then if we don't see anything, we bump up security, fortify the garrison and the defense fleet here, and then move the extra ships back from whence they came." Tashannoc paused as if distracted, and before anyone could ask him any questions, he stood up. "Excuse me."
The exterior preflight check was perfect. The new O-Wing was in great shape, and even had a couple of improvements off of his old ship. He just hoped he had enough time to get used to flying the new one.
Neb climbed into the cockpit, feeling a little naked without his helmet, but he hadn't been able to find it. The leather of the seat was stiff. It would take a while before it molded to his shape. He heard a familiar "harumph" and slid out.
"Tasha! I can explain, really! I'm feeling better, and I just thought that, well, I'd go for a spin, you know?"
[You should know better-]
"I know Tasha, but I've been cooped up for days now."
[As I was saying, you should know better than to fly a starfighter without a helmet.] Neb was caught off guard as his flight helmet was propelled toward him, head tail sheaths flailing behind. He just barely caught it with the force before it plowed into his chest.
[You'd better get out there and work on those reflexes. Why don't you and Cigna work on those new pilots of yours?]
Neb's face split into a grin. "Great idea, Tasha. Thanks!"
"You need credits, I need waitress." he responded.
"Well, I was thinking more about port tinkering. Fix a few ships, get a couple of credits."
"You no mechanic. Steal a few parts, give someone else to fix. Sheesh. You couldn't possibly repair ship worth nothing."
"Remember that during high time with no waitress." Aria turned to stomp off.
"Oh, all right. Somewhat good mechanic." He gave her a "that's all your going to get outta me" smile.
"What's the pay?"
"Pay? Tips, that is all."
"From those customers, you make more begging. 30 credits an hour."
"Thief! I say you thief. Sheesh. Try and rob me. 8 credits."
"I'm the thief? Base pay is twice that...25 credits."
"No profit made if waitress get all. 10 credits."
"You are a miser and I would be crazy to work for anything less than 22 credits."
"Then you crazy. 16 and that is my best offer."
"I've seen better. Sixteen and tips and food."
"Greedy little one. Sheesh. Work my fingers to the bone to give all away." He pinched his face in concentration as if really considering turning down the offer. "Agreed. Start tonight."
"See you there." Aria waved and headed off towards the hanger.
"Cignas, you heard the man. Nothing better to do than training maneuvers to break the greenies in until command decides we might be useful for something else." Darryl said, trying to repress his annoyance at the entire situation.
~So when do we stop being called Greenies.~ Cigna 10, Thomas, kicked in.
~When you're vaped,~ Rick answered. That brought a few snorts and agreements over the comm.
~Boys, when you are finished being childish, could you cover each others' six?~ Laura's voice interrupted. ~Apparently, we aren't training with each other; Neb's group is going to be battling against ours.~
~Woowee!~ Rick answered in excitement.
"I take it you approve Cigna 11. Cignas, form up on me. Power down weapons and set computers on training mode. Once we enter the fray it's two on one." Leader broke in.
~And try not to embarrass me! Pretend like you know how to fly.~ Laura piped up.
~Hmm,~ Siege started, ~Sounds like someone has some interest in an O-man.~
~I'm more fond of an X woman myself.~ Thomas cheerfully joined in.
~While you are chattering,~ Nro'din interrupted, ~It seems the O-wings have decided to attack. Nearest O-wing is almost in target range and is already trying to get a missile lock.~
"Neb is flying lead. He's mine. Everyone else, two on one, now." The Cignas split into four like a starburst, with Darryl shooting up the center.
~Glad to see someone is awake out there.~ Neb broke in. ~We thought you guys were just going to sit there and be pretty.~
"Some of us have to work for our pay." Lead answered. Laughter echoed over the comm.
~How about a challenge?~ Neb offered, executing a perfect drop spin and slipping out of Darryl's targeter. He banked hard left and began a tight circle that ended up slightly above Darryl's A-wing.
"I'm listening and that last move was so sloppy, I couldn't even think about shooting a man in his back."
~Ha, ha! Well, the side with the least number of casualties buys the first two rounds at our next down time.~
"I like Corellian Boilerbombs, preferably with REAL Corellian whiskey with a squeeze of lymfruit. Remember that." Darryl killed his thrust and pushed back on the throttle. The A-wing spun around, getting a momentary lock on Neb's O-wing but somehow he predicted the maneuver and flew high to avoid it.
"Not bad, let's see if you can get back up to speed before I vape you. Oh and see you at down time, buying my squad two rounds of drinks."
~Roger, Cat. Continue surveillance. Base out.~
Sammy sighed. Nothing much more boring than guard duty. 'I wish the Imps would hurry up and get here or whatever.' Sammy scanned the comm bands to get in on some conversation. "Hmm, sounds like the A's vs. the O's. Well, too bad for Cigna they don't know about Neb's secret weapon."
Sammy switched back to a tight beam frequency. "Base, this is the Cat. Permission to join in on the war games."
~Permission granted. There's plenty of ships to keep watch.~
"Yahoo!" Sammy switched over to wargames mode and picked out an unsuspecting A-wing.
BEEEEEEEP! ~What the?!~ Cigna 7's computer registered a torpedo hit. ~Who got me?~
"Shazaam! It's good to have friends in low places, right Neb?"
Neb laughed out loud. ~Hey, like I said, you can always fly with Omega, Sammy.~
~Hey, that's not fair!~ Cigna 11 said. ~You didn't say others could join!~
~One must be prepared for anything,~ Neb replied. ~So, Sammy, what kind of drink do you prefer?~
"Whistle Thistle Lum from Corellia," Sammy answered as he swung around for another engagement. "Unless they want to spot Jeffy some cash to make his stuff."
Benoah nodded, "One-way, non-stop. Take care of all personal needs before departure."
"Whoa! No refresher?" Alia queried with a grin.
"I was only kidding. It's hard for a Miraluka to make a living as a comedian. We don't have the knack for facial expressions which you could have used to know I was kidding."
Benoah gestured to the shuttle. "Only you and two others are joining us, so we should have relative privacy to get to know each other. I'm hoping you will find me trustworthy enough for your comfort."
As they found seats that would suit them, they made small talk while the shuttle prepared to depart from the orbital station.
Ibran did not reply immediately, which caused Kain to watch his older brother curiously. "Right Ibby?"
Ibran bit his lip. "I don't honestly know, Kain. I think I really miss Yavin IV. The whole place had a sense of connected isolation, if that makes any sense."
"Separate people coming there to find themselves," Lucinda put in from beside Ibran. "And be able to learn from others at the same time. Kind of a group self-research project."
Ibran's head turned as he regarded his sister. "That's right, Luci," he nodded appreciatively. "That's what it was like. More proof you're not as empty-headed as you make yourself out to be." The last was accompanied by a sly grin.
Lucinda just smiled back.
"You know," Kain put in as the trio was stopped by a security guard with a hand-held scanner. "Before I left, I heard that there's going to be a forest retreat for any Academy student who wants to go. They're going to teach some wilderness survival and creature sensing skills for the first day, but after that the students can do whatever they like for the second. It leaves later today."
Ibran let out a ragged sigh as the guard waved him past the security checkpoint. "I wish I'd been here to sign up for it," he said with quiet disappointment. "That would be absolutely perfect for me right now."
Kain and Lucinda exchanged looks. "So you want to go?" Kain said tentatively.
Ibran looked sharply at his younger brother. "Yes," he said cautiously. "Is there something wrong with that?"
"Not at all," Kain put up his hands in protest. The movement caused the guard's scanner to beep and Kain was forced to remain still while the guard repeated the procedure. "We just thought we'd have more time to spend with you before you went zipping off."
The guard finished with Kain while the implications of the youngest Crissean's statement seeped their way into Ibran's skull. "You signed me up?" he asked in a cautiously excited tone.
Kain grinned again, said nothing. Ibran stared at his brother amazedly.
Lucinda was just going through the security checkpoint as Ibran grabbed the both of them in a great hug. "You were right, Luci," Kain gasped. "He does like the idea."
Lucinda hugged Ibran back, then let him continue to squeeze the two of them. "Come on," she said, tugging at Ibran's shirt. "You've got to get ready. It leaves at 1100."
Ibran released his siblings. "I can't wait," he said, sounding like Kain in his eagerness. "Maybe I'll find something new."
"Maybe you'll find a girlfriend out there, too," Lucinda murmured.
An odd look crossed Ibran's face and he regarded his sister with it. "I think-" he began, then stopped while he sorted his feelings on the matter. "I actually think," he continued, then stopped again. "I think that, in the end, someone will come to try and find me. I also think that I'll have to go find them, as well. If that makes any sense," Ibran grinned.
"This is a lovely planet," Benoah said, seeming to gaze at the scenery around her. "You consider it a home, don't you?"
Alia smiled and nudged a wildflower with her toe. "Yes, I suppose so. It's the closest to home I'll probably ever come. Makes me wonder what Alderaan looked like before the...incident. I don't know if even that could compare to this."
Benoah smiled. "You're probably a bit prejudiced."
Alia laughed and shook her head. "Just a bit." Something caught her attention. It's not...no....
"Al!" Of course... "You took your sweet time getting back from Dantooine didn't you? I'll have you know I worked as hard as ever with you gone."
"I doubt that, darling. I'll catch up with you in a moment, though. Master Skywalker has a new-" she hesitated at the word 'student' "-trainee and I'll be working with her for a while."
"But Al..."
"Not training her, she'll be training me." A confused look from the blond boy. Alia stepped closer and her voice dropped to a whisper. "To get rid of the nightmares, Tyne. Someone has to help me. Benoah's a councilor on her world and I trust her to do it."
He shrugged. "If you're sure...." "Absolutely."
"Benoah! Lovely name. I'm Tyne Chartise and I must say your beauty rivals..."
"Thank you, Voltaire, but we need to meet with Master Skywalker." Alia motioned for Benoah to join her and began the short walk to the Jedi's quarters. Tyne's eyes followed the newcomer in amazement as she walked, opaque veil over her eyes. Benoah turned, a smile lighting her face. "It has been a pleasure, Tyne. But remember not to neglect your work in the future. You may become upset with the consequences."
Half an hour later found Benoah and Alia at their destination. The pair walked into the waiting chambers of the Jedi Master, Luke Skywalker, and waited patiently for the living legend to emerge from his room. Benoah was humming a delightful tune to herself, but stopped when she realized Alia was looking at her. "What is it Alia?"
Alia turned her head, appearing demure and even embarrassed. "Forgive me. I didn't realize I was staring. It's just that...."
"What?" the Miraluka prompted.
"Well, that song you were humming. I feel as though I know it," the young Jedi explained.
The door opened and Luke Skywalker entered the room. Three other Jedi Masters entered behind him, but his reputation was enough to instill respect from any who enjoyed the privilege of his presence. "Welcome back Alia, and greetings to you. I am Luke Skywalker, and this is Master Kam Solusar, Master Teyan Tannis, and Master Hawran Riciao."
Luke reached out with through the Force to touch the Miraluka, and immediately pulled back. "I'm sorry."
"No harm done, Master Skywalker. Though some have heard of my people, few are experienced in our culture. We rely so heavily on the Force to see, which is a passive, genetic ability that it is a cultural slight to intrude on another's Force presence. It effectively blinds us to be probed. I have nothing to hide from you, however, so if you would like to probe me at a later time, please do ask. And forgive me, my name is Benoah Shenok."
She gestured to Alia. "My reason for coming here is simple. I have been trained by my people, though I do not doubt I could learn much here. Of high priority is my feeling that my destiny is to aid this young woman in dealing with her past. We were able to get to know each other on the trip here, so a rapport has been established. Now, as a trained counselor I would like to help her."
The guard did his best to look perturbed, but was obviously a little amused by the man's dialect. "Just a second." He walked over to the computer and looked up the transport logs, to make sure that the person in question was on the station. "How do you spell that?" He was told, and looked up Alia Trynyty.
"I'm sorry, sir, but she's left on the last transport to leave for Dantooine."
"Dantooine? Damn, that's where that Wook wanted me to take the girl. She was supposed to tell me where it was." The pilot lowered his voice conspiratorially. "You see, the Wook didn't exactly trust me to pick the girl up. He thought that I'd just drop my cargo and jet. So she was supposed to tell me where to go. Can you help me out, friend?"
"What did you say the name of this Wookiee was?"
"Ah, it was Tush-ah-nuk or something like that?"
"Oh, General Tashannoc. Okay, let me get those coordinates for you."
"General, huh? And here I thought that he was just your everyday corporation owner." The pilot continued to prattle while the guard got the information.
"Great, thanks, friend, you really saved my hide. I'll grab a bite to eat then head out to unload. You really saved my hide. The wife would have skinned me if I came back with another bust, you know?"
The pilot wandered off, and the guard quickly forgot the minor incident in the business of the day. A few hours later the dilapidated freighter was on it's way to Dantooine.
MOVE ON TO PART IV
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