The Chiss listened to their individual stories, nodding every now and then. Even if the first inpressions had been poor, things were now different and she found the company acceptable, if not even better. When Kyvarr deployed the weapon, a faint smile arose on her face.

"A rotary carbine. I see. A fine, reasonably rapid-fire weapon, though I suspect has one particular drawback like all the energy weapons around here. You see, the bolts are stopped by anything thick enough, but we Chiss have developed our Charrics in a way that will penetrate any non-metallic armour from a distance. And we have similar weapons for our ships." It was quite apparent, the woman knew her weapons technology and was proud of the products of his kin. "But a fine weapon you have there, indeed." She put her rifle on to a crate for them to see - a weapon unlike any they had most likely seen before. She detached the power pack. "Would you like to try it on for size", she asked. A scope was mounted on top of the weapon, most likely to facilitate accuracy at a decent range.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:15, Thu 01 May 2014.

Kyvarr snorted as she put Nijel down on the table before her.  "Reasonably rapid fire?  This baby has a cyclic rate of well over a hundred rounds per minute!  Actually the main design flaw of the Z-6 isn't armour penetration.  Nijel here will knock down light spacecraft and a moderately armoured personnel carrier.  Can't see your popgun managing that, especially if the target is shielded.  No, Nijel's main flaw is the stock energy clip only lasts about 30 seconds on full fire.  Either need a power supply or a large supply of clips.  I've managed to design some larger energy packs that push him to nearly a minute."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:48, Thu 01 May 2014.

Fiarr smiled at Idaya.  "She's very protective of Nijel there.  I also think she's trying to change the subject.  Doesn't want it known that she served as an officer once and pulled off an exceptional victory."

"Some victory."  Kyvarr scoffed.  "Over forty percent casualties, unconditional surrender of the Praxis Military Forces an annexation of the entire sector by the Empire."

She looked over the proffered weapon from Idaya and examined it.  "Seems like a modification on the maser design.  We experimented putting these on tanks a few years ago.  Found it cut the range somewhat."

She hands it back.  "Better be careful who sees that.  In some sectors, maser weapons are considered as bad as Doc's flechette pistol or even disruptors.  Might want to get yourself a more traditional blaster for day to day carrying.  Not too many muggers wear armor."

Idaya smiled slightly. "I have met some good non-commissioned officers, who would have done well with a commission. My former Chief of Ship was one of those. I just hope, they gave the ship to my executive officer - he really had already earned his own command." It did not sound like Idaya would be divulging any great war stories for now, even though there was quite a few for certain. "And what comes to my rifle, they would only figure it out by sight when I fire it, at which point they are arguably late."

Fiarr shrugged.  Idaya didn't seem interested in sharing any history.  Probably had none of her own to share or was just too secretive.  This thought brought a grin to the Bothan's face as secrets were as akin to her as breathing.  "I suppose it depends on your military's advancement system.  Do they go by seniority, meritocracy or connections?  In the Bothan military where I served it was more about connections.  Who you knew, what power base they enjoyed and so forth."

She kept quiet about the rifle comment, assuming it was a joke that lost something in cultural translation.  She didn't believe the Chiss actually meant it.  Though she was a naval officer, not a solider, so it was possible.  She looked over to Kyvarr to see if she was going to say anything about it.

She then turned to the Kel Dor, who'd said little.  "You've very quiet there Dohr.  Everything okay?"

Dohr listened to the women exchanging stories and knew his turn would come up soon too. Being 37 years of age and having spent 15 or so of those mostly off Dorin, the doctor’s story would be too long to be told in all its entirety. There were parts and times he would not like to disclose or even remember. And yet there were many occasions he would hold dear for all his life. It was genuinely interesting for the Kel Dorian to hear Kyvarr talk about his army history. And Fiarr’s description of the events at the Grand made him smile. People had been fairly tense and things could’ve have gone much worse, but compared to the events on the following day the little incident seemed quite irrelevant.

Nijel was a beast to behold. Dohr had been expecting a heavy weapon, a heavy blaster or even a light repeater. But Nijel was a Merr-Sonn Z-6, a blaster of an entirely different breed. The Dorian armed forces didn’t use the Z-6 as the Kel-Dor soldiers rarely were strong enough to handle one properly without a harness, but Dohr had seen a few on this trips around the galaxy.  Fortunately he’d never been forced to be on the receiving end of one. Idaya’s rifle on the other hand was quite alien by appearance. It had some similarities to Dohr’s own Rodian carbine, but yet looked very different. But that didn’t really surprise the doctor. He’d seen so many members of different species that nothing much did anymore.

Kyvarr was indeed very protective about her Nijel it seemed and the Chiss considered the weapons of her own people superior to others as was quite natural. But before the differences of opinion had time to turn into an argument, Dohr decided it was his turn to speak. He looked at Fiarr, smiled behind his mask and nodded. ”Yes. I am very well, thank you.”

He then turned to the Cathar and the Chiss and pointed at the guns with a clawed finger.”Both of your weapons are very beautiful and deadly, but in my childhood I observed a weapon even more lethal and beautiful on a daily basis.” Dohr surprised himself with the words coming out of his mouth. There was really no reason for him to share the particular fact of his background with these three women who were basically little more than strangers. Not that it really mattered as there was really no way the information could hurt him now or in the future.

A couple of seconds and a silent sight later the doctor continued:”A lightsaber… or in fact two. I could have watched my father and my mother practice their different forms against each other all the time every day. Little did I understand of the danger hidden in the wonderful dance of those humming colourful blades back then. Having retired from the Jedi Order, my parents did not participate in the war between the Republic and the Separatists, but concentrated on making our world’s defences stronger instead. For you see, the leaders of our people feared the galactic struggle would at some point reach Dorin as well. Sixteen or seventeen years ago when the republic was torn apart by Emperor Palpatine, their fears became reality…”

Dohr shook his head sadly and carried on: ”I do not know how powerful Jedi my parents were as I had never seen them in real action, but the constant practice and general Veen’s status as a Master of the order made me think they could win anyone… I was not with them when the Imperial forces arrived. I was posted with my troops at the defensive line inside the main spaceport. The generals and the ministers initially considered fighting, but quickly decided such a battle would be futile and have the same end result with a lot of our young dead. Therefore after a few short skirmishes, the Kel Dorian nation surrendered.”

”Apparently my father or my mother or both had known what would happen and what they would be up against. That was why they had returned home and sent the servants away to keep them safe. After the things calmed down, I was finally able to head home. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw…” The words just seemed to pour out of the doctor’s mouth. He was surprised about how sad it still made him feel after all those years. ”All of the palace personnel had not left the premises in time. At the gates two guards had been ruthlessly shot down by a hail of blaster bolts. At the stairs leading to the entrance, Aira, the butler had faced the same fate… Father and mother had not gone down without a fight. The floor of the grand hall was littered with bodies of dead clones. The stormtroopers had been foolish enough to attack them openly and had paid for the mistake with their lives. But they were not the only ones dead. My parents were lying lifeless on the cold tiles. The blaster bolts had not been the end of them as there were long cuts… burned cuts across their bodies. Mother had lost her hands and father his head and yet there was almost no blood to be seen.”

Dohr had been fiddling with the cane he’d picked up from the spaceport while he talked. He raised his eyes from the silvery stick and looked at the women in the room. ”The rumours of an evil Jedi, a Sith lord serving the Emperor had been true. Later on I heard stories of a black armored giant commanding the clones. He had hunted down two more Jedi in the capital and slain them mercilessly and after that the whole imperial force just left. Some of their officers had told the remaining Dorinian leaders that the world was now under Emperor’s protection and that the mighty ruler of the galaxy would send advisors and guardians to help in our world’s transition from the evil republic to the Empire… Later on I managed to get my hands on some security vids that showed this Sith, Lord Vader. He was an imposing figure whose gaze even his own soldiers tried to avoid.”

The doctor held the cane in his hand as if it were a sword, made a couple of swings through the air with it and let out a deep sigh. ”After the funeral, I did not linger long at home. There was really nothing left for me there anymore. I was nearly mad with revenge and hatred towards the imperials and the black Jedi. I swore I would devote my life in fighting against the evil Empire and its servants. And while I would love to drive a dagger into Vader’s black heart, I know it will never happen. He is too powerful and too well protected for me to accomplish that.”

Dohr let out a dry laugh that came out through the vocalizer more like a cough. ”Oh, but do forgive me my ladies for wasting your time with such a sombre tale. It was not my intention to ruin anyone’s good mood.” The voice became lighter and happier. ”I will finish by saying that for the last 15 or so years, with the exception of my time on Det Akari, I have roamed the galaxy causing havoc and pain to the imperials wherever and whenever possible. It is probably not completely sane, but that is the only thing I have left in my life. That… and the pointless hope to one day find my sister alive.”

Fiarr listened to Doh'r tale in silence.  It was like so many others she's heard during her life.  Imperial aggression, sensless murder and distraction.  The armoured 'Black Jedi' was a new touch.  She really didn't know much about them.  Most references to them had been destroyed after the had betrayed the Republic.  It was illegal to discuss them and any Jedi item was now contraband.  She hadn't bothered chasing down information because she had no reason to.  As far as people were aware, the Jedi were extinct, one of the first victims of the New Order.  Her overall knowledge was largely limited to heresay, the odd report and the media.

"I remember hearing about the Jedi.  Bunch of people with incredible strength and agility who liked to fight with laser swords and served as the Republic's police force or some such.  I remember hearing their leaders tried to assassinate Palatine and overthrow the Republic.  Guess the Emperor didn't take too kindly to having half his face melted.  I'm assuming your parents were victims of the Emperor's genocidal response to a small groups treachery.  I feel for you."

"Well we certainly share the desire to hunt Imperials.  I think this group does too.  I remember one of them saying they primarily targeted the Empire.  Perhaps one day I can put a sniper bolt in the helmet of this Vader fellow for you."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:57, Sun 04 May 2014.

"All three", Idaya said, commenting on the promotions in the Chiss Expansionary Defense Force, "and far too much on political basis, if I am asked. An officer should never mix in politics - we execute the policies of the politicians rather than meddling in creating them."

She listened to what Dohr told and shook his head. "I know very little of your Republic and even less of the Emperor, but a government that kills their own citizens in retribution has already lost their mandate to rule. The military is to protect the citizens, not to harm them. Of course one could argue, an outright rebellion needs to be quelled, but even then innocent bystanders must be protected at all costs and one can not simply assume guilt by association."

The talk about the Force seemed to make Idaya rather thoughtful. "I think these Jedi of yours are like a certain cult of mystics in the Ascendancy. They are very few and far between, but I believe, there has been similar people amongst mine." Idaya could recall stories about individuals with mystic powers, but she had written them off as ghost stories and fairytales.

"Strict seniority on Praxis.  Damned annoying really.  Getting passed over for promotion by some moron who hadn't even seen combat just because he'd been pushing datapads in some office longer then I'd been on the front line?  Idiots."

She looked at Doc.  "Only heard a little about Jedi during some military history lessons in basic training.  Know they served as generals in the Clone Wars despite having no military experience.  That's leadership by political connection if I ever heard it.  Hell, even their Jedi recruits were senior officers apparently.  Seems awfully presumptuous, rank based on belonging to a specific group?  How does belonging to some cult give you the experience to lead armies in battle?  Officers train all their life to do that."

"Still we should leave the past in the past.  Sounds like you Fiarr and I share a common hatred of the Empire Doc.  Seriously hoping employment with this group will help me thin the Imps out.  If not, maybe they'll help me find groups who do take the fight to them.  Guess I'm a mercenary for hire now.  Still I still want to hurt the Imps, hurt 'em bad for what they did to my home, and to loads others."

She didn't mention she didn't think any mercenary company would hire her with her leg as injured as it was.  She pushed that thought aside.  She had no idea how she would pay for surgery or prosthetics.  She had no money, she knew Fiarr had very little too.  Though the Bothan had a knack for finding things when they were needed, it was one of her many talents.

Dohr listened to the conceptions and images Fiarr, Idaya and Kyvarr had about the Jedi. Suddenly he felt very old. In his childhood the Jedi had been a very vidid and living thing. Of course he had been privileged in a way to live under the same roof with two, but in addition to his parents, there had constantly been stories in the holonet or the news of the Jedi, the Trade Federation, the Separatist and of course later on, the Clone Wars.

He was about to correct the views the ladies had of the Jedi Order, but then thought more about it. Being honest to himself, he didn't know that much more himself having spent all of his youth on Dorin. What little knowledge he had of the Jedi had mostly come from his mother. Father hadn't been too keen on telling tales of his past. He had always been burdened by the loss of their first child Aam, a Jedi knight herself. General Veen had never admitted as much, but Dohr had always suspected his sister's disappearance had been the reason for his father's resignation from the order a few years before his own birth.

The Kel Dor could understand why the younger generation of Chiss, Bothan or Cathar could see the Jedi as they did. He had no idea whether any of their species had had Jedi of their own. From what his mother had told him three decades ago Dohr had learned that not all did. Why it was so, he had no idea. And it didn't really matter now. The imperials had as far as he knew hunted the Jedi down and destroyed them all.

Kyvarr's comment about the Jedi not being worth their role and status as generals in the Republic army during the Clone Wars made a wave of anger flush through Dohr's body. But the feeling was gone as quickly as it came. She could well be right. Perhaps that was why Palpatine had been able to overcome the Order's mighty masters and Council so easily. Maybe they lacked training in military tactics and failed to see the evil rising and to protect the Republic. The thought made it all seem a bit foolish even to him. A few hundred or thousand Jedi protecting trillions of people. It was a wonder the Republic had survived for so long. Yet the current situation was hardly better. The Emperor and his armies weren't exactly the saviors they had initially posed as. Many worlds had been enslaved or nearly destroyed as they had attempted to resist Palpatine.

Dohr nodded to the Cathar warrior. "Yes. I believe you may be right. It does indeed seem foolish to place mere children in charge of armed veterans. But like my mother always used to say: The Force works in mysterious ways." The doctor shrugged. "Although I know some Jedi did have a lot of, too much even, experience of wars and leading troops. And some, like my father, also had military training. He had in the end risen to the rank of a General of the Dorinian Armed Forces, not the Republic Army."

The orange-skinned Kel Dorian spread his arms as if in surrender. "And you are right. Let the past be the past for now and until it is needed again. The Jedi were not supposed to give into anger, but if the hatred towards the imperials keeps us going and helps us get employed, then I see nothing bad in feeling angry about how the Emperor's armies treat those who do not wish to accept their "offer" or even some of those who do."

"Hatred is useful."  Kyvarr commented.  "Hatred of the enemy will get your troops over the lip of the bunker.  It will get them to charge the enemy even though it seems hopeless, it allows them overcome their fear.  If we didn't have anger and hatred, none of us would fight the Empire.  No sane being would give us one chance in a billion of succeeding, yet we still fight and we will win.  Or we will die in the attempt.  If I die, I want to die with a smoking pile of stormtroopers around me or lie in my ruined tank, surrounded by the remains of the Imperial walkers I took with me.  That would be a glorious death."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:13, Thu 08 May 2014.

"Hatred might make one more willing to fight, but it also blinds. In war, one must keep his bearing and not fall in to the trap, his mind is trying to set. I know it is easier said than done, but however, it is true. And one must remember, no military plan ever survives intact the contact with the enemy", Idaya stated matter-of-factly. She was not going to turn the discussion in to an argumen, but simply stated what she considered true. It also seemed, she liked the debate between the doctor, the tank commander and the infiltrator quite a bit - not having known them properly before, she felt, she could possibly come to like them at some point.

Kyvarr suppressed a snort.  She knew Idaya believed what she said.  She also had to remind herself that combat for a capital ship bridge officer was far different to an army rank and file soldier.  It was clear the Chiss had never been an enlisted soldier.  That was fine.  Wars needed officers as much as they needed soldiers.

"No offense intended but standing on the bridge of a ship ordering soldiers to die is nothing compared to standing shoulder to shoulder with them in the trenches waiting for the order.  It's the waiting that's the worst part.  Do you think it's some military plan that gets them over the lip of the trench?  No Idaya it's emotion, pure and simple.  Hatred of the enemy, love for their family back home, pride in the soldiers standing beside them, fear of their officers and discipline instilled by non-stop training.  That's what a soldier relies on Idaya.  Officers, by necessity, play by a different rulebook.  It's why you commanded a capital ship and I preferred being a sergeant."

Three soldiers. No. Four. Four soldiers from different walks of life. Totally different. Four soldiers, four different military branches, four species. That was a lot of coincidence packed into one small cargo hold. The Force works in mysterious ways… It would've been his mother's answer to young Dohr's question about coincidence. He wasn't sure he bought that way of thinking… that the Force had a say in everything… that he Force dictated how everything worked n the universe. No,l in his mind them four being together was simply a lucky chance. Of course the mercenary group was looking for certain types of expertise to hire, but having such versatile and complementary skill sets available could not be anything but chance.

Dohr observed Kyvarr and Idaya as they exchanged their views and Fiarr for her reactions. From an officer's, a leader's point of view it would've been a great opportunity. Of course he'd only known the women for an incredibly short time, but already some aspects of their personalities, ways of thinking, behavior and attitude was starting to open up to the doctor. Sure, there would no doubt be surprises on the way or secrets hidden under the surface, but that was only natural. Everyone had his or her quirks and twists, but that was how it should be. The Kel Dor smiled behind his mask. He could definitely work with these people.

Idaya and Kyvarr had very different views of bringing emotions to combat. As they should. A commanding officer could not start crying over the death of every lost soldier, otherwise she would risk the whole operation. To her, knowledge of tactics, use of strategies and reading the enemy would be the key. Emotions would come in play after the battle, if at all. A warrior in the front line could not afford to break down either, but to her the feelings of anger and hatred could bring strength. On the other hand letting rage take over and pushing all caution aside could easily become lethal too.

Dohr nodded to Kyvarr. "A glorious death it would be yes. But would it not be even more glorious to die of old age having won all the battles and having let the enemy live too? We all know our real enemies are not the clones attacking our homes and killing our loved ones. They are merely tools of destruction without a home or families of their own. I do not feel sorry for the life of an imperial soldier I take in self defense or when helping others survive the evil holding our dear galaxy in its grip. When I have been forced to kill a clone trooper, I have felt mixed emotions… On one hand the thought of a lonely human male who has not and never will experience love makes me really sad. And on the other hand I am happy I will not leave anyone grieving after him - I do not cause pain to more people than just him. And yet… And yet every life should have equal rights to live."

The Doc raised his hands to stop the others from denying what he just said. "Yes. I am well aware they are the ones causing terror and agony in people who do not deserve it. And even if they really are very little more than slaves for the Emperor and have no real say in what happens to their lives, they are creatures of free will at least to a certain extend. A stormtrooper in the end is the one who makes the final decision to squeeze his trigger. That is exactly why I do not mourn for their deaths. If anything it only makes me more angry and makes my hatred towards their leaders grow."

Dohr takes a breath and once more swings the cane through the air lazily a couple of times. "That is why I think we… or anyone opposing the imperial oppression, should pick our targets carefully. We need to strike them where it hurts the most. Killing the leaders, destroying their shipyards, supply chains… That is how we can make a difference. As long as the resistance is nothing more than thousands and thousands of tiny, separate, unorganized groups around the galaxy, fighting the clone armies is just one big, useless waste of countless lives."

Having sent his new assistant of on it's errands, Heigren wandered into the galley, restocked on Jumja chips then wandered into the other cargo bay where Dohr and the other were.  He grinned.

"Hey guys.  Hope you've been entertaining yourselves alright.  Everyone scrubbed up and eaten enough?  Apparently we're about four hours from our destination."

Fiarr greeted the Zeltron as he entered.  "Oh we've kept ourselves entertained."  She jerked a finger towards Kyvarr and Idaya.  "Those two have been doing the usual soldier chestbeating.  You know, who has the better gun, are you allowed to get angry in battle.  Who makes the better officer.  The usual!"

Sheila hit the fresher and  showered quickly, running her clothes through the cleaning cycle while she was in there.   Foetunately it didn;t take long.  Once done, she ran through the galley to get a drink, and something portable to eat.  WHile she was fixing her sandwich, she thought about it, dumped more chips into a large bowl and set up some caf to take to the new meeting.  She found some other easy food, and spent the rest of the break moving the snacks into the meeting room.

*THIRTY MINUTES LATER&

A lot of things happen in the port cargo hold over the next thirty minutes.  While Dohr, Idaya, Fiarr and Kyvarr watch, a procession of PK droids move several chairs in until there are ten in total.  One is also supplied with a long crate at it's base, presumedly so Kyvarr can elevate their foot.  A makeshift table is made with crates in the centre of the chairs and droids, along with Heigren bring in pots of caf, cups as well as various snacks.

M4 droids buzz around and various members of the crew pop in and out.  Word quickly spreads to the four newcomers that there is to be a meeting involving them.



OOC:  If any of the PC's have anything they want to do with the past half hour, do it in a retrospective post please.  Else it's been half an hour so time for Devon's second meeting.  Turn up as you see fit, assumedly Dohr and the others are already there.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:20, Tue 13 May 2014.

Heigren had kept very busy during the half hour between meetings.  Rather then do as he planned and make himself some food, he instead spent his time preparing food and drink for the second meeting, then rushing it back and forwards to the cargo bay.  He stopped to speak to anyone who wanted to chat, then continued his mad cooking frenzy.

By the time the meeting rolled around he was sitting in a chair waiting, happy with the piles of food he had prepared.  He'd even tried to arrange some species-specific food and drink for Dohr, Kyvarr and Fiarr.  The culinary database had no record of 'Chiss' so he hadn't been able to make anything for Idaya.  Hopefully she wouldn't take it as a personal affront.  Then again, he'd managed to offend her nearly every time he spoke to her.

This time though he hadn't neglected himself.  A monster sandwich was sitting on a plate before him and his bottle of whisky was still a third full.  He engaged in his repast while he waited for everyone else.

Having being given no indication to join the table that was being prepared, even though one was clearly hers, Kyvarr stayed where she was and continued to clean and oil Nijel.  She watched the collection of food and furniture with interest.  There was clearly going to be some kind of meeting or gathering, presumedly about them.  Would they put them off the ship?  Part of her urged her to arm herself and be ready for a trap.  She forced that part of her mind to the back.  She'd been living on a knife's edge for so long she found it hard to trust easily.  Still, these people had been honest with her to date, no reason to believe they'd double-cross her now.  Besides, Fiarr was renowned for sniffing out trouble.  It made the Cathar wonder why then her Bothan friend was so often in trouble then!  Kyvarr thought that Fiarr secretly enjoyed it!

Fiarr watched Heigren and Sheila going back and forwards with all the food and drinks.  She moved over to Kyvarr and nudged her.  She then pointed at Heigren rushing out the door.

"Cute and knows his way around a kitchen.  That one would make someone a good wife!

Through her levity she watched with interest as the chairs and food were brought in.  It seemed unlikely they were just getting together for a meal.  They'd all been told to help themselves to the galley.  This had the feel of a meeting.  So she wasn't surprised when her suspicions were confirmed.

Assumedly the meeting would be about what happened next.  She, Kyvarr and Dohr had approached this mercenary group seperately about employment.  Were they going to now be told if they were successful?  She hoped so.  If not she would have to start planning how she would arrange funding for Kyvarr's medical treatment.

But despite the lack of personalized or race-specified portion of food, the blue woman seemed not take offense. On the contrary, she seemed to be quite content with the things for now. She smiled at the mention of comparing weapons and such, and it even spawned a comment from her in her accented Basic. "Well, let us call it differences in services. That is what one gets from putting a naval officer, an armour non-commissioned officer, a medical officer and, lacking a better word for it, a spook in the same room. Of course, I am not a stranger to infantry action as I have commanded the fleet marines in combat."

An M4 messenger droid, one with the number '11' stencilled to one side, zooms into the area and hovers in front of Heigren.  The voice that comes out of it is that of the woman heard over the comms planetside.

"Mister Teckla, I have forwarded to your personal M4 droid the relevant list you have requested regarding potential employment for our passenger once we reach our destination and she is safely on her way.  One trusts that she will find employment within one or two solar days."

Devon arrived just in time to catch Fiarrs comment, and snorted.
"Pay me a million credits and I wont tell him you said that.  or I can tell him you want a date - y'know, whichever you prefer.  But either way it'll cost you."
Plonking himself down on one of the chairs, Devon twisted the lid off a bottle of beer and swigged whilst he watched Heigren go zooming past with another tray full of food.

"I swear he never slows down." Devon said to no one in particular.