Ares watches the droids holo recording with interest, trying to study the features of the man who was speaking to him through the funny little construct. He knew that something was odd about the mans appearance. I wonder if that might be Commander Tallon himself only in disguise.... He thought to himself. He looked over at Jungen and shrugged his shoulders as he began to follow the droid out into the desert. "I hope it's not far to these 'temporary accommodations'. This heat will kill ya' fast if you're not properly prepared for it. I have a few days rations if it comes down to it, which doesn't include water..."

The arid atmosphere and a roll in the sand as they made their rough landing had Jungen and Ares covered in gritty sand and sweat. The Trandoshan made sure his weapons were all still in one and then nodded to the droid “good jump little man” he rumbled to Ares “we have deserts like this on Dosha. Don’t worry if suns bakes skin we shed it” the huge reptilian alien laughed.

“The Commander not far and many other will have heard his summons” he strode after T3-M8. In the direction the droid led them the ground became rockier. Ahead a great wall of natural rock rose out of the desert. Atop the highest plateau, sit an old fortress. The fortress, was a one storey square building with two towers.

While not particularly fast in a strait line the little droid clearly knows the lay of the land, and never slows down for even an instant as he leads the new arrivals over tricky but not quite dangerous terrain on their way from the drop point to the old fortress.  Once they arrive it makes another quick quiet series of beeps and the doors open to admit anyone willing to walk, or roll, in.

Doing just that as soon as the doors open wide enough for it to fit the droid once again disappears into the relative shadows inside, mostly only visible as a dim yellow light receding down a hallway inside.

Ares continued to follow the droid through the doors of the  fortress and into the darkened interior. For a moment he had some apprehensions about following Jungen and the droid here at all. What if this is all a trap? What if Shrike an Jungen aren't really loyal to Commander Tallon, but in reality were loyal to the empire and using Tallons name to lure his supporters out into the open to be arrested or killed outright? He gripped the handle of his rifle as the thought came over him but his paranoia quickly faded. He couldn't let himself think like that. These beings had always shown loyalty to the Commander and why would they have any reason to not be loyal to him now.

Nervousness was quickly replaced by excitement as he thought about rejoining forces with old friends and glorious combat against a new foe...the Galactic Empire.

Tusken Fort being built on the plateau has many natural defences. Knowing the best way makes travelling easier but it still takes time. Most the day is spent scrambling over rocks and weaving up the gentler inclines to reach the summit. By the time T3-M8 has reached the door night has fallen and the chilling desert wind is an eerie whistle as it blows through the canyon toward the fort.

The door leads to an interior that looks comfortable and homey. Simple and elegant furniture fills the rooms, two people, a man and woman are surprised by the night time intrusion into their living quarters but do not complain. Rather they stand and stare at the two dust covered, armed and armoured strangers as they step inside.

Chirping a polite, but largely unintelligible greeting to the two organics into who's living quarters with guests in tow T3-M8 passes through quickly, leading the way into a curved corridor and around somewhat more than a quarter turn, to what is clearly a men's locker room entrance to a Gymnasium of significant size and prominence.  Coming to a stop outside the door the little droid makes it clear that any activities that take place on the other side of the door are of no interest to driods, and that they are simply something of a delay that must be suffered.

Once the two have had a chance to refresh, clean, and or make themselves presentable and return to the curved hall T3-M8 leads them on to their next stop, a room that serves the purpose of a Music Room and currently contains one Commander Tallon.

Ares follows M8 and Jungen into the room. Once he sees that Commander Tallon occupies the room he once again stands at attention and salutes the war hero.

"Leading crewman Kendet reporting sir!" Ares spoke with a crispness befitting a military man. "Commander Tallon, it is an honor to once again be able to serve under your command."

The Music Room has a high domed ceiling and lavish furnishing. Strange alien musical instruments are displayed around the room, creating an exotic musical museum. A massive pipe organ sits against the far wall, pouring out a melancholy tune from the days of the Old Republic. Commander Adar Tallon, now an old man, dressed in a plain black tunic sits at the organ. The music stopped as he turned around “at ease soldier and thank you for responding to my summons. I hope Lieutenant Shrike has kept you informed of recent events” the stern old man raised an eye brow, inviting any questions.

Relaxing his posture a bit and after he finished his salute, Ares begins to speak.

"It is good to see you alive and well, Sir. Shrike told me you were calling on those loyal to you to regroup. He didn't really tell me what for or any other sort of plans you have. He didn't really need to. The call to action and the fact that were still alive was reason enough for me to make the trip here. Shrike and I did run into some trouble on Kwenn Space Station. The Imperial Star Destroyer Relentless docked with the station and we had to make a hasty escape. I am interested in hearing any orders you might have me."

Slipping off to the side after introductions have been made T3-M8 blends in with the surroundings much like any other droid in this era, often seen, but easily ignored while immobile and simply part of the environment itself.

“The Empire’s grip draws in more star systems and it draws tighter. Now is time for Rebellion” Adar Tallon stood up from his chair and walked over to Jungen and Ares. The commander clasped both on their shoulders “we will be the vanguard. Let me introduce you to the others” Adar turned to leave the chamber and lead the way.

As Ares turned to follow the commander to meet the other "rebels" he nodded to T3-M8 as he passed the droid. "Thank you for your help in getting here M8. Couldn't have done it without you." After a quick pat on the droids chassis, he continues following Adar to their next destination. On their way there he asks the Commander a few questions.

"How many others have answered your call to action so far? Are there many? Also I am going to be in need of some supplies. If you have some sort of armory or supply depot set up I would like to request permission to meet with the quartermaster and get some supplies."

Touching the droid's chassis directly with an unprotected hand results in an electrical shock far stronger than most static charges, but the droid is currently plugged into the wall and makes no sign that it noticed the touch, or the atypically sharp discharge.

“Seven. Nine now you two are here” he answered Ares flatly “let me show you around” he led Ares around Tusken Fort. Ares saw the hangar was well stocked with tools, parts and machinery, a landspeeder and four old starfighters. One tower had been set up as a medical bay with a diagnostic computer, medical supplies and a bacta tank. The lower floor of the other tower had five bedrolls laid out “as you see we are ready but we are few. Settle yourself in and feel free to look around” the commander then left Jungen and Ares to get used to their new home.

Only nine of us?! Ares thought to himself. Some rebellion. Hopefully we start seeing more answering the call.... He rubbed his hand where it still kind of hurt from touching M8. He turned to Jungen and spoke. "I'm going to go check out all of the facilities and see if I can't meet some of the others."

The first place he decides to visit is the medical facility. He still had some injuries from the battle on Kwenn Station and wanted to see if he could get med pak or two. Then he began looking around for a supply dump of sorts where he could find a few spare power packs  and possibly a sidearm and some armor. Along his way around he kept a lookout for any of the other rebels that occupied fort. He would want to meet the people he would be living, fighting and possibly dying with...

Walking from one tower to next took Ares passed the main living area. Inside he sees cozy furniture, a holoprojector and hologame table, two humans are engaged in playing on the hologame table. The medical bay was fully equipped with a medical kit, surgery kit and a bacta tank.

Ares walked into the living area and watched the two humans playing on the hologame table and tried identify if the game they were playing was one with which he was familiar. Once there was a moment he could interrupt to introduce himself he did so.

"Hello. My name is Ares. I just arrived here and wanted to meet some of the others here. Care if I join your game?"

OOC: I like to know of they are male an female, Learn their names if possible and sit and play their game with them. If its a game of chance then that's even better but I mostly want to chat with them to find out about them. Not sure if you want me to make any sort of roll for the game they are playing so ill just make a wisdom check for gambling/playing a game

10:06, Today: Ares Kendet rolled 2 using 1d20-1. Gamble/Gaming.

The two humans, a female and a male, were playing Dejarik. One of the most common uses of a hologame table. The game was played by two players moving holographic monsters upon a square grid on a circular table. The pair introduced themselves as Tol and Gample. The female, Tol, won her game and happily let Ares challenge her. Ares was not much competition either giving her another easy victory. Neither of the humans seemed to mind Ares interruption or his lack of skill. The man settled into to relax on a sofa “Gample no much of player either” Tol comforted Ares “been here with him five days and he’s still only beaten me twice. Not sure how much longer we’ll be here but the Commander’s waiting for something. You new here?” she raised an eyebrow “so what’d the old man say to you?”

After losing the game to Tol, Ares' competitive nature kicked in. "How about best 2 outta 3?" He said with a smile on his face. As they sat and played he chatted with Tol and Gample some more. "Ya, I'm new here. Just arrived, actually. I served under Commander Tallon in the clone wars. He told me when I met with him earlier that the Empires grip reaches far and wide and the time for rebellion has come. I've seen it myself, firsthand. Personally I'm a bit surprised with how fast the Empire has spread. It's as if nobody can really see how corrupt it is. Ares sat back in his chair and thought about his next move on the board for a moment. "Anyway, what about you two? Are you ex-military as well or just sick an tired of the Empire and want to stick it to em'?". Ares moves his
K’lor’slug to a position on the board where he is almost positive he can win the game this time. You never know though, I guess.

19:33, Today: Ares Kendet rolled 14 using 1d20-1. Gamble/Gaming.

Both of them were also once soldiers of the Republic. Gample was at the incident in Dalchon system, he had followed Tallon in his exile on Tatooine. He grew bored and hadn’t stayed here but travelled as a mercenary. Tol’s history was much different after a while serving in the Republic Navy she had become disillusioned and deserted, then wandered the Outer Rims for work, the two had paired up and when Gample picked up a message from Shrike they both came and pledged to serve in his vanguard.

Luck favoured Ares on the holotable and Tol had to suffer her first defeat. Good natured she accepted Ares’s offer for best of three.

"Good game, Tol. One to go." Ares said as he prepared for the 3rd and final game. It felt sort of good to win something for a change. It always seemed that luck was against him. Maybe it was a sign that his luck was about to change. "You two are the only ones I've met here so far. Who are the others? I assume they are all probably ex military as well. I came here with a transdoshan named Jungen. I'm sure he'll show his scaly hide around here sometime. Not the most sociable person but he's good to have on your side in a fight. Who's little T3 unit is that? The one with the eyepatch. Haven't seen that model very much lately. Kinda obselete isn't he?" Ares sat back and began to play the final game.

14:43, Today: Ares Kendet rolled 15 using 1d20-1. Gamble/Gaming.

The last game was one full of tension. The pressure was on for both of them to win and they were both evenly matched throughout. Finally after a number of difficult turns Tol pushed her advantage and took the victory.

“Good game. You play better than Gample” the soldier offered with genuine enthusiasm “things seem to be improving around here lately” she smiled at Ares.

“All of us yes. Been with either the Republic, the Imperials or some local security service. I’m probably the only one that’s not served under the Commander before. Heard of him though obviously and he hasn’t lost any his smarts either. Reckon he’ll show ‘em Imperials a thing or two once he gets back into the swing of things”

“That T3’s been here since we arrived. Probably always been here from the look of it. Older than the Commander that one. Commander seems to trust it though. Have you seen the Z-95’s in the hangar. There are old too but the Commander has been working on them, given them all hyperdrives he has. We’ll be able to strike and run to cause plenty of trouble with them”

Gample now on the sofa yawned loudly “time to get some shut eye” he announced and left the living room. Tol watched him go and looked to Ares “getting late. They showed you where we are sleeping?”

"Yeah, I'm pretty beat. Long couple a' days. Gotta grab the sleep while we still can. Good playing with ya Tol. We will have to do it again sometime!" With that, Ares stood up and walked to the barracks to turn in for the night.

May I regain HP from natural healing for resting?

OOC Ares can regain 1 hit points from natural health.

Story continues in Pirates Ahoy.