The Hornett, an Eclipse-class Super Star Destroyer.

Aaron turned to regard Finn's reaction to the ship, then began procedures to dock his Lambda-class shuttle in the main hanger. After recieving clearance from acting captain Taylor Garrison, Aaron began doing just that, only again looking to either of the other two men when he had at length fully landed and shut down the ship.

He stood, turning to Rathal and Finn just once. "Follow me," he said. Then, with no further ado, he departed from the cabin of the Raptor into the hanger bay then to the corridors of the Hornett. As he continued to walk, he finally stated "I think it's time we lay all our cards out on the table, if we are going to get anywhere with this at all."

"Sir, this is acting captain Taylor Garrison. Captain Danner and his crewmen have just landed. He wants to speak with you immediately."

Aaron's eyes went wide in surprise.

Terrin was back? Something about this wasn't quite right, but Aaron had a feeling he would get to that...

"Allright. Tell him we are in conference room 104. He can meet me anytime he's ready."

"I will, sir. Garrison out."

Barnes seemed like a traditional soldier, not a pirate... maybe an Imp. If he was, Finn had a chance of surviving if he told them he'd once been in Peace Brigade.

The last time Finn was held captive for any length of time, not counting his recent imprisonment at the Marauder cave, it was by a group of rogue Jedi. Barnes didn't dress or act like a Jedi, and Finn had learned how to notice subtleties that gave Jedi away, like how they always appeared to be in deep thought due to their minds processing signals from the force continuously.
Eagle Enterprises... are they smugglers? Gangsters? That wouldn't be so bad...

Still, the pilot was nervous, waiting and wondering who the mystery captain would be and what he really wanted with the Major.

No time for pleasantries.

Usually Terrin wasn't this sort of a business person; he usually could be rather cordial and all that jazz. But things were suddenly getting so complicated that he just didn't want to deal with anything other than what his heart was telling him to do. He motioned Aaron aside, stepping away from the two men, actually pulling Aaron completely out of the conference room before he said a word.

Aaron cocked a brow and looked at Terrin in concern. "You allright? Where are Galen and the baby?"

Terrin closed his eyes for a moment to still wave upon wave of pure agony as he replied. "They're on Coruscant."

He opened his eyes just in time to see Aaron simply gaping. "How? And...why?"

Terrin raised a hand. "Just...don't ask. But what it amounts to is that I just left the safety of my wife and adopted daughter in the hands of another man... am I the only one who sees something wrong with this picture?... and I don't trust Admiral Actar for all the spice in Kessel. He's supposedly not after Galen anymore, but I just know he's after the baby..."

He paused, pursing his lips, sudden resolve filling him. "I'm going to Coruscant."

Aaron's eyes widened further. "Are you crazy?! Have you taken a look at the blockade there recently? You're going to get yourself into more trouble than you can imagine."

"My mind is made up," Terrin said flatly. "I never trusted Actar, and I'm not going to start now, especially when it comes to Galen and Darra. I stopped by here to pick up the ZZ'Shzq, a few changes of clothes, and a little something else, and then I'm out of here."

Aaron sighed. "I see there's no arguing this with you. The ZZ'Shzq is fully serviced and ready to go. And please...if you need anything, don't hesitate."

Terrin nodded at that and turned to go, leaving Aaron considering even as he did.

(((OCC: Follow Terrin to And the Days Grow Longer in the Empire and New Republic. Thank you!)))

...only nothing was coming to mind. Suddenly there seemed to be a bigger issue here than simply making up a rebel cell here or there. Suddenly Aaron decided something. He turned to Rathal.

"I think the Captain is headed for some trouble..."

Trouble. Now that's a nice word for it.

"You were able to help out his wife once before; I'm sure you can help him. And, if you really want to prove your loyalty to us, this would surely do it. I should warn you though, you might be crossing paths with Admiral Actar. Of course, you wouldn't go alone; I'm certain one or both of Terrin's closest crewmen would be more than happy to assist you."

Then he turned to Finn. "We'll do everything in our power to find the Major. I should be straight with you; you've been the best lead on him we've had thusfar, and with the way Actar's troops seem to be I fear he may be unreachable at this point..."

...and hopefully not dead, some little voice added.

"I don't know what direction you want to go from here, but it is entirely your call."

"Sure Boss, I'd be happy to help you out," he started plastering a big PR smile on his face, "But I will of course need a ship, I work better on my own so I won't short staff you by taking any of your crew with me, however another pay increase would not go amiss... and I assume you will be covering my expensise. Once we get those little technicalities out of the way I'll be ready to go, imeadiatly if you want, you are the boss after all."

Rathal groaned inwardly as he realised how out of place he must have just sounded,way to go hombre
He sighed inwardly, hoping he didn't loose his job.

He watched Barnes carefully, and the man looked, well, desperate. If the mysterious captain, who Barnes called Terrin, had family in trouble and Rathal was so quick to help out... they acted more like rebels than Imps. And the way Barnes mentioned they'd find the Major... there's no way they were looking to capture Davidov. They were looking for his help. And I'm their only lead?

"Captain, I feel I should be straight with you as well. I was not being up front earlier when I mentioned the Major was headed for N'hreal."

Finn lowered his eyes a moment, then returned them to Barnes'. "Major Davidov is looking to hide and regroup... on the planet Kashyyk."

His eyes remained a cool true blue, the color they held when he told the honest truth. It felt good to release it, to not have to hold in lies any longer. Rathal was correct in his original assessment of Caglion. He was an honorable guy. Thank you, Clara.

For a moment he let the question sit, then he continued with, "I'll give you a decent fighter, a month of your regular pay up front, and til you come back with Terrin or with results of some sort at least, that's it."

“And, other than that, I really can’t tell you what else might or might not work. He might not even get onto Coruscant, and heavens help us if he should and something happens to him there. You’ll have to use your bounty hunter’s sense and get creative.”

At that, Aaron stopped, finally reaching the main hanger bay of the Hornett. He indicated a few different shuttles of assorted varieties. “You can have your pick of any of these smaller vessels.”

At that he waited to see what Rathal would do next, sincerely hoping that the man’s mission would indeed be a short one.

The shuttle came out of hyperspace on the outskirts of the K'eel Doban system... as Carina quickly picked up on the coded message beacon orbiting K'eel Doba, she punched in the code given to her via the message she received on Coruscant...

The message sent to her on Coruscant was made by Master Tyberius' contact on that world...

Cartina read this message, and found it troubling...

Why was I sent out here to be told to look for someone elsewhere??

The contract was to find Galen Jhin'Dar Danner and bring her back, alive, to this exact spot where the beacon had been left in K'eel Doban orbit...

She hadn't heard of her, but she has heard of a Terrin Danner...

He owns Eagle Enterprises... it's worth a shot... but, this is a delicate mission... best go incognito...

Cartina had just bought some information on Eagle Enterprise's comm frequency... Time to use it, as it did cost her a pretty penny...

With that, she set her long distance comm frequency to that of Eagle Enterprise's:

"I wish to trade in a Lambda class shuttle, fairly good shape... for something with a little more fire power, can we do business?"

Still Finn shifted uncomfortably. There had been a price on his head once, but he managed to have his Jedi friends take care of the contractor. Never got the hunter, but without the promise of bankroll, Finn figured he was safe. Now he was just an anonymous pilot, working for rebels against the New Imps.

He really hoped following Barnes would lead him back to Davidov, and some action.

He paused, looking to Finn, "Your piloting skills just might come in handy. It'll give you something to do, and you seem to have a bit of experience working in this sort of area. What do you think?"

He hesitated, wondering if it was better to get back to the Major, but then decided a little further delay getting back wouldn't hurt. Davidov probably figured he was dead by now anyway. The chance to co-pilot the freighter and help Rathal with tactical maneuvers should they run into trouble was enticing.

Finn smiled at Rathal, then turned to Barnes, his eyes eager green. "Captain, I'd be delighted. Just be sure to give the Major my regards, if you find him on Kashyyk."

The ship featured the typical saucer-shaped hull of the YT series. She had thick armor plating and bulky engines, set to easily handle the strain of space combat. The vessel sported hot-rodded engines and powerful weapons on its oversized hull, and was quite obviously one powerful little freighter.

"You can take her, the Castaway. She's a YT-2400, really nice little ship--fast, tough, and fully loaded."

Worth a really pretty penny.

"Now, you'd better be on your way. There is really no time to spare. If you need me, you have my comm frequency. I hope to see you back, successfully; but I warn you, this Actar guy is tough; beyond tough. Be very, very careful. It'll take more than just a little trickery to get into that blockade of his. But good luck, my friends."

Message One:

I wish to trade in a Lambda class shuttle, fairly good shape... for something with a little more fire power, can we do business?

Aaron cocked a brow. Not like business to not even give a name. There was, however, a comm frequency to reply to, so Aaron did so.

His reply: We at Eagle Enterprises would be happy to serve you. I might have some YT-2400s to your liking. Attached are specs on several ships I can offer you. Please reply to this frequency if you would like to purchase one of these ships, or another, from our business. Thank you for your interest.

Then, message two:

Hey, i need repairs, can you help me from a ship frequency. Aaron grinned a bit at that, suspecting just what might have happened.

His reply. How might Eagle Enterprises be of service to you exactly?

Then he sat back and waited to see what might progress, all the while knowing that this message frequency was so very a nasty little critter that managed to scramble its path so many times before it reached its destination that no one could ever truly trace it.

Just to make sure of this, however, he reached for his personal comm and made a request. In moments the Hornett blasted off into hyperspace.

Flac woke up with a bang as his comm started buzzing like a fly from hell, just kinda saying "hey you idiot, wake up, therse someone here to talk with ya"

And so he picked up his little commlink and let his face fall into a little grin, eagle enterprises, good thing he hadnt left that card with his friend, or he'da been in big trouble...

"Hey, I go by the name of Flac, My shuttle seems to be having,ah... Engine, problems..."
With that he held the commlink out in the direction of the engine so whoever it was on the other line could here the strange kicks, and sputters, and whirrings going on in the other room of the shuttle.

"Ah, ya, anyway, my friend told me that your company did good businis, while he said you sold ships, i was hoping maybe you could repair mine... Any possibilities of this transaction happening? cause if not, i think i need all the time i can to sit down and start praying for a mirical..."

This guy needed some serious help now.

Aaron mulled it over. They did have some of the best techs in the business; they wouldn't be so good at what they did otherwise. He pondered further.

"I think we can help you out," he commented. "What's the closest planet or rock you can land on? Cause pal, you better land soon..."

Didn't matter how much experience he had, Finn could fly about anything. It was a strange natural gift.

Helping Rathal check her out for takeoff, he was impressed with some of the modifications, including a cloaker and a power management system for the hyperdrive.

With a slight chuckle he tapped in a change in course, punching his hyperspace lever, causing the stars to blur for just a moment, before suddenly his engines cut out, and he was thrown back into real space with a start... Normaly a man would be dead after that kinda thing, but old tammy kept her friend Flac alive at all costs... and he sure as hell hoped she kept doing so... The engin sputtered again and he found himself needing to land... or he'd be dead in no time at all... Quickly he put her down on some planet... eyes glancign downward to look at the commlink.
now would be the time to start praying for a mirical, cause that comm sure is quiet...

His hand tapped the comm a few times... sure enough, that thing was as dead as a swamp rat tresspassing on a farmers crops...

with a casual shrug the commlink flew backwards, slamming into the wall and shattering into a million pieces...

"up for a game of 'where the hell am i' Anyone? good, glade to here it..."

grumbling to himself he exited the ship, and placed a tarp over it yet again, checking to make sure his best frined Mr. Bryre was still fully charged and ready for action...

With that roguish grin flashign all over the place, one of his hands reached up to run through his thick mass of hair, pulling it back for a moment, only to have it part again in its natural wierdness after his hand left....

"and now to find out where you are, buddy Ol' Pal... You were guessin when you hit those coordinates... So where are ya?"

He sighed and sat down, thinking, once again beggining to mutter to himself "Maybe you should get a map, he tells ya, Oh no, i dont need a map, i know this galexy like the back of my hand, you reply... But a map would be helpull, he say's, oh no, really im fine... Geez flac, why do you have to be such a moron sometimes?"

his smile grew into a little smirt "cause your the best damn 'bussinis man' there is... And there aint no one who will dispute it..."

he laughed to himself at that, taking out a small bottle of water from his belt, and sipping it idely... "where to go next... Where to go next... "
Alrighty, where ever you are god, if you dont totaly hate me, hows about givin me a hand?

"bah! Maybe i shoulda lead a better life... but then again... Live a better life, and miss out on all the fun? NO WAY IN HELL!"

With that he jumped to his feat,fully showing that little grin of his once more, he set off to figure out just where in the universe he'd ended up in...

Woah, woah, what had just happened?

Aaron tried to click into Flac's comm to reconnect and tell him someone would be right there once more, only this time the comm line didn't even go through.

Comm completely shot. That was NOT good.

Hmmm...maybe they had someone in the area who could check it out...

Aaron reached for his computer and typed something in, pulling up the closest station they had to the coordinates this Flac guy had given.

Maybe he was still in the area, and his ship was going haywire. No harm in looking for him...and possibly more business this way...

********************

A few hours later, one of the station members reported that there were no ships in or around the area.

Ok. Unless someone is pulling something really cute, that guy is there. Or was, earlier, at least according to Flac himself...

"Very good, how do you wish to finish the deal, you do take trade-ins... I'd be glad to hand over this out dated shuttle, and whatever the difference is... money is not an object..."

Lieing is part of the job, but to go so for as to say those 5 words, money is not an object, turned Cartina's stomach a bit...

Lambda-class Shuttle

Type: Imperial Shuttle
Length: 20 Meters
Weapons: 4 Double Laser Cannons
Top Speed: 50 MGLT
Troop Capacity: 54 Soldiers
Cargo Capacity: 80 Metric Tons
Passengers: 20
Shield rating: 100 SBD
Hull rating: 25 RU
Maneuverability: 71 DPF

YT-2000 Transport

Type: Light Transport
Length: 32 meters
Weapons: 2 Quad Laser Cannons
1 Laser Cannon
1 Medium Ion Cannon
Top Speed: 96 MGLT
Troop Capacity: 7
Cargo Capacity: 115 Metric Tons
Passengers: 7
Shield rating: 320 SBD
Hull rating: 114 RU
Maneuverability: 71 DPF

He replied:

I have a contact on Ord Mantell that has a ship for sell by us with these stats. The ship at its current price is 25,000. Your trade in is worth 10,000, bringing the price to 15,000. I am willing to put you in contact with a salesperson from our coorporation who will be available there on Ord Mantell in 2 days, should you be willing to buy or try to further negotiate...

...please sumbit your identity if you wish to continue this business transaction so our salesperson can find you...

Cartina switched off the comm...

What the kriffing Hell?!

"If you wish to meet with someone, you can meet with me, seeing as I am co-owner of the corporation."

He left it at that, waiting to see what this person would answer next.

But he had to follow it through in order to ever find out.

"Hopefully, I'll be the only one in a red dress..."

Oh, how she hated to dress up... she would rather be dressed in the filth of Ord Mantell, if it would help her situation...

The shuttle blasted into hyperspace...

So, after who knew how long, Matt finally awoke, feeling like he'd slept two days. And heck, maybe he had. But he knew there were business items to attend to, so he headed for his own office, tapping into the Eagle Enterprises computer system.

Among one of the first items of business...a person calling himself "Flac" had called Eagle Enterprises concerning ship repairs before Aaron had left, and something had happened to the man's comm frequency before Aaron could determine exactly where he was so he could be assisted. Aaron believed the guy had run into trouble, and it was EE policy to follow-up on potential clients that seemed to be in exactly that. The policy had gained them some rather loyal clients. Aaron had left Matt the comm frequency that he and Flac had communicated on and had asked he try to find the man and see if his ship needed repairs. Matt intended to do just that.

Now, Matt wasn't too sure if this comm frequency would work if Flac was having major problems with his ship, but he went ahead and punched it in; couldn't hurt to at least try. Somewhere, a connection was made.

Aha!

Oh well, maybe he could try again later...

Sighing at that, Matt leaned back a bit in his seat and tapped a few keys on his computer keyboard, bringing the Holonet News up on his terminal screen. He scanned through stocks and glanced through the various articles...

And his eyes froze on the header of one specific article towards the top of the computer screen. It read:

Eagle Enterprises Owner Reported Missing by Staff of Company

Matt frowned to himself. What the hell?

The article was brief but straight to the point. Matt read through it carefully, his frown only deepening further.

Eagle Enterprises co-owner Terrin Danner is said to have gone missing after he returned from an extended sabatical a few days ago. Sources overheard conversation that suggested Danner may have gone to look for his wife, who did not return with him. Sources also suggest that Danner's continued absence from the company may lead to a decrease in sales and suspect that Danner's partner Aaron Barnes may be taking action to take over the company himself or find a replacement for his wayward partner.

Matt rapped the edge of his desk with his fingertips, wondering just who precisely was doing the talking here.

Who had heard enough about what might be going down to leak such information?

Could have been anyone. Maybe maintenance. Sounded like someone didn't have too much faith in Terrin anymore, however. Either that, or someone was trying a good smut campaign against Eagle Enterprises with insiders who had leaked them information.

This was not good.

At any rate, it looked like Eagle Enterprises had a leak to stop. But in the meantime, Matt figured he'd better get some public relations going...

...the article had already been published, and who knew what other people had read it...