"Ahhh yes, Thoran," Shawn then said, pursing his lips a bit. "He and I had a very brief but interesting conversation on our way to Coruscant. We talked about the Darker Realms, white spiders, and other forces of potentially greater import that are out there. He told me that he felt the Empire and the Sith needed to not be attacking each other, considering what is incoming....

...and after having spent time with the Sith myself and having seen and experienced the things I have in recent years, I can't say I disagree with him."

Shawn paused, frowning a bit, taking another drink as his eyes defocused a bit. "As to the white spiders he referenced, he says they are on Tatooine, getting onto people and causing them to do things. I'm not sure what things they are making people do, but I am sure how they got on Tatooine. I was there when it happened. I saw them attack both Galen and Lord Aelvedaar, and it took All ability to heal either of them. Nothing of my Force healing could do a thing."

Shawn trailed for a moment, then continued. "I know all this may seem rather minuscule in the grand spectrum of things, but I've been on the Sith worlds and working with them and others for quite some time, thanks to both my sister, who is the Adept of Graysith, and because I've helped both Terrin and Galen several times. These other forces at play...

...I don't know if the white spiders are part of any of it." He quieted a moment, shrugging. "But I do know specifically that we have Yuuzhan Vong incoming into our galaxy once again, that there are some of the Sith who are entwined with the Darker Realms, trying to somehow recreate a past that is our present...

...and that there is Something Other out there that is able to block all Force and All abilities, Sith magicks, and anything seemingly "supernatural" within the entire galaxy. Probably the entire Universe. Again, I can verify it happened...

...I was there when it did. And I felt my own Force connection both disappear then later return not all that long ago, when I first came to the Imperial Outpost on Tatooine and found you there with Thoran."

Shawn shook his head. "Thoran knows more than he's said so far, I'm certain of it. He was once working with, and perhaps still is working with the Master, who is Lord Phalomir's Father. That particular worthy plays his cards as he sees fit, and at one point was working with Forces in the Darker Realms to strengthen the Sith and prevent them from a destruction that happens to them in the future. I wonder the truth in all of this, and if this is in fact why we are seeing Other Forces at play, considering reality seems to course correct after being tampered with for so long."

Shawn took another, good drink, his eyes locking on Sorben's. "I'd be very interested in hearing more of what Thoran knows: of the Sith, the Master, and the Darker Realms...

...and about whatever else may be going on here in our Galaxy--and perhaps beyond--now."

[ 02-08-2019 06:49 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Shawn Petrolu ]

--------------------

The buzzing and beeping of the ship's systems played like soft music in the background as he raised his groggy head. He had fallen asleep some time ago, enroute to the planet. He was eager to help Tarnus and elated that someone with some authority was finally listening to him. Things were finally going to work out.

His thoughts drifted as he rubbed his eyes. He wasn't quite sure how long he'd been asleep, but he heard no other voices. Shawn had long ago gone to bed which prompted Thoran to eventually do the same. Tired of Shawn's droning, and wanting to be undisturbed for the remainder of the trip, he had subconsciously enveloped himself in a cloud of Sith magick meant to obscure him from his compatriot for a while. It was unintentional, but it had worked! He had slept the sleep of the dead to be sure. It could have been for days as far as Thoran was concerned, but since nobody had come to wake him then everything must be fine.
Either they had landed or they were still in space -- but the systems sounded quiet, and there was no engine noise. They must be on the ground.

He forced his eyes to open. They resisted, and with good reason. It had been days -- no, weeks -- since he had any reasonable amount of sleep. And recent events had taken their toll on him. It began with the Master forcing him into stealing Graysith's spirit, alienating him from two powerful allies in her and Phalomir. Then the incident on Tattooine with the spiders... he still wasn't totally sure what was going on there but it had to be a sign of things to come. But if he played his cards right he would have the Empire on his side and with their backing just might live through this.

He rolled over and swung his feet over to the floor. His head swam a bit, the fluids inside swishing like water in a jostled glass. He tried to steady himself by holding his head, but that did not stop the motion. In fact, it was getting worse. And a high pitched, whiny tune began playing in the back of his skull. The sound grew, becoming painful and intense. His eyes closed instinctively and he tried to rise to to his feet. Grimacing, clutching his head in pain, he stepped forward...

And fell through the unseen portal.

Thoran landed with a thud onto a bed of soft grass. The sound faded and the pain in his head subsided. He let out a long sigh and fell backwards to the soft ground.

The warmth of the air delighted his senses, and still groggy he let his eyes remain closed. The stillness around him was comforting and the distant sound of birds and animals reassured him. The bliss was broken, however, by a soft chuckle which gave way to a familiar laugh.

Thoran groaned.

"What do you want now," he said with a heavy sigh. "Master?"

{{Follow Thoran to Motes in a God's Eye in the Sith and Jedi forums}}

[ 02-08-2019 08:04 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Thoran ]

--------------------

I lifted those eyes to the Jedi.

It wasn't that I was taken aback by anything he'd just said, hell no. Much of it certainly jived with what Thoran had begun telling me during our conversation on Tatooine.

But it was for the simple fact that it was only Shawn sitting here now, imparting this information to me.

"Is there any reason Thoran isn't here with you?" I asked in sudden non sequiteur. "Why didn't he accompany you when you were given permission to disembark your ship when you landed?

"Is he still aboard your ship?"

I threw the last question out almost as just a simple means of closing the game, for odds were that was indeed where he was hiding. Why he would remain hiding when I'd given them both my assurance of safe travels both in coming to Coruscant and then while staying with us here, made absolutely no sense.

My Hunter's instincts started whispering in my gut, running stealthy fingers up and down my spine.

What exactly had transpired between these two during their journey here from Tatooine?

[ 02-08-2019 07:37 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Sorben Tarnus ]

--------------------

"When we arrived here I disembarked the Spice Eater only to be escorted off by a squad of stormtrooers to a holding room; I assumed the same must have happened to Thoran. It was about that time you were...called away, Kani picked me up and went after you, one thing lead to another...

...and I lost total track of what happened to Thoran."

Shawn quieted at that, suddenly feeling very badly...

...and really not believing that Thoran would have just stayed on the Spice Eater all this time.

His frown deepened. Despite the overusage of the phrase, Shawn had a really bad feeling about all of this...

[ 02-08-2019 09:11 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Shawn Petrolu ]

--------------------

But what had happened to Thoran?

My spine froze further as my gut clenched into a knot. Quickly I opened communications to Flight Control, seeking answers, and not getting the one I wanted to receive. For it seemed the inspection team that was sent to crawl over every millimeter of Spice Eater hadn't turned up so much as a Dagoban brine shrimp.

No Thoran.

I leaned forward, spoke a quick "thank you" into the comm and closed the connection. Now I allowed worry to carry me to my feet, which followed suit by pacing me hither and yon around my Ready Room. I went for another jolt of Walkn'Fall, hoping its fire would burn that worry into logical assessment of the situation, but I just couldn't help but shiver at invisible breezes seeming to blow in from a charnelhouse, raising goose bumps on my skin.

I looked Shawn dead in the eye.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," I said simply, followed with,

"Now to determine just what in Hell's Seven Circles is going on around here!"

[ 02-08-2019 08:19 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Sorben Tarnus ]

--------------------

"Yeah, I have a very bad feeling about this."

Shawn paused then to lift his drink to his lips...and drain its remainders entirely.

Back into the fray again...

"There's only one way I know of that someone can just up and disappear from anywhere, and a very few people I know of who can do such a thing...

...Thoran being one of them. The problem with that is I sensed no deception in him on our ride from Tatooine, only sincerity. I can of course hope that, when all Hell broke lose and you disappeared, that maybe he went somewhere to protect himself...

...but I really don't think so. That just doesn't make sense."

Shawn chewed his lip a bit, his hand unconsciously wandering to the pocket of the nerfskin jacket he wore, the pocket that he'd stowed away his lightsaber. "I've met Thoran's Master before too, the one who is Lord Phalomir's father...

...and the one who's made deals with the Darker Realms to somehow strengthen the Sith. He's able to open portals too, and never seems to be on anyone's side in particular but his own. I think now is a good time to be seeking out some allies...

...and perhaps making some that have better knowledge than I do of such things. The Jedi, for all their supposed knowledge of the Universe and the Force, haven't the faintest idea regarding what might be incoming."

[ 02-08-2019 09:32 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Shawn Petrolu ]

--------------------

"This is Captain Aaron Barnes of Eagle Enterprises, requesting permission to speak with Lt. General Tarnus regarding some information I've obtained about a ship for him."

[ 02-09-2019 08:12 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Aaron Barnes ]

--------------------

Dammit, it never rained but it poured...

My finger reached out to hit the switch to transmit a return, when I paused fractionally, taking a second inner look at the apparent serendipity of this one.

Strange, wasn't it, that he would now be contacting me about that ship? Was there something else afoot?

Just who had talked to who else about what out there? Damn, but on one hand I wanted as many frying pans in this particular fire as possible...

But just not now.

Truth be known, but as a Hunter I'd been used to the Lone Sandcat style of life. Trusting in no one but myself, operating only on my own. And when coming up with a plan of my own making sticking to it like glue.

And holding the reins even tighter.

Granted it took Galen to discombobulate me off of my normal modus operandi, but she wasn't here... nor was she with Aaron. Or at least to my knowledge she wasn't.

I pondered the myriad words between those rather few and entirely too vague ones the man had spoken, assessing them and just how they had been spoken, reading all the subtle nuances they carried upon their backs and comparing the lot to what I knew of the man.

It didn't take me long to decide that discretion was the greater part of valor. After all, if he had Galen, why would he be contacting the Empire with the information? After all, to my knowledge the only two privy to my "change of heart" were my hotheaded little Twi'lek lieutenant, and the Jedi Petrolu. How and why they would run the risk of getting that highly dangerous intelligence off-planet to their friends was beyond me; in fact, it stood to reason that neither had done so. For if they had wouldn't I be sitting in an Imperial detention center myself, with them occupying similar cells elsewhere?

I flipped another switch, opening up a communication to HQ.

"Please tell him to stand by," was all I said, before settling back in my seat to think.

((OOC: Message goes off via THE EMPIRE to Tales of Strength, Life of Honor in the CSWU forums, thank you.))

[ 02-10-2019 02:12 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Sorben Tarnus ]

--------------------

...a reply that was simple enough, and something one would expect from a person of Sorben's rank and position...

...gave Shawn pause.

What in the name of all that was Good in the Force could be going on now?

Shawn took a sip of his drink, arching a brow in Sorben's direction. "Trouble?" he asked then, not liking the idea of yet another problem surfacing to complicate matters even further in the least.

--------------------

"Put me through to Captain Barnes," I said, noting how Shawn's eyes widened a bit at the mention of his name. I waggled my brows at him, then turned back to my console when the return came that channels were open for communication. I leaned forward a bit, made sure my reply was properly encoded and scrambled, and finally spoke.

"This is General Tarnus," I began simply enough, before then continuing.

"I'm all ears about that ship, my friend."

((OOC: Message goes off to Aaron Barnes in Tales of Strength, Life of Honor in the CSWU forums, thank you.))

[ 02-18-2019 10:08 AM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Sorben Tarnus ]

--------------------

"General, my business partner has communicated with me that the ship has an SOS signal that is amplified with a kyber crystal to give it focus and that the ship itself is yawing to give that signal more range. He's also sent me a star map of what can be seen from the forward viewport. He's a well-trained pilot with a good eye, so it should be fairly reliable, if lacking in scope since it's two dimensional. I am acting on his behalf, to transmit this information to you, and will send the map from the forward viewport along with our analysis of it to you as well."

Then, attaching the file he'd mentioned along his own highly encrypted frequency, Aaron then sent his reply off and waited to see if the General would have anything further to say.

[ 02-17-2019 06:27 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Aaron Barnes ]

--------------------

...after all, he was one of probably the few that Shawn could count on one hand that Terrin trusted implicitly. What surprised him instead was that Aaron was now contacting Sorben too.

But then again, Aaron had done things like this for Terrin before, so it really wasn't that surprising.

Shawn looked across to Sorben, nodding once. While he knew Terrin better of the two EE owners, he'd still spent quite some time assisting Aaron with one thing or another, and had on one occasion healed the man.

"He's trustworthy," Shawn said simply then. "And he's kept a few really dark secrets over the past few years," he ended with, somehow knowing that Sorben would be able to read between the lines what he meant. For Aaron knew well of the Sith, the incoming Yuuzhan Vong, and of the Darker Realms.

[ 02-17-2019 06:51 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Shawn Petrolu ]

--------------------

For although I knew Actar would have the most iron-fisted possible security when it came to sending the few transmissions that he did, I wasn't anybody's fool. Blithely trusting that I would be allowed the same level of secrecy was what got the womprat in trouble with the sandcat; there were big ears everywhere, and anyone who chose to ignore that little fact would soon find himself between the claws of the aforementioned kitty.

I thought a moment, figuring just how to proceed in such a manner as to get my point across to Barnes while simultaneously keeping the Empire off the trail.

It's not what I know, or what so very few do, but rather they don't know what we know, and we all know what they don't know, after all!

I allowed a semblance of a smile curl my lip at that thought, then opened the channel again.

"General Tarnus to Captain Barnes. The information you have sent should prove useful to us; you have the full appreciation of the Empire. Your abilities in this matter are much regarded, and it is my personal hope to be able to utilize those abilities again at some future date.

"General Tarnus, out."

I focused my gaze at Shawn with this, raising my brows in the silent hope that everyone listening to the return transmission took it in the exact manner that I wished them to. For as a Hunter I had become quite adept in the application of experience relative to human and humanoid behavior, and was using said experience for all it was worth at this particular moment.

It's funny how people read into other people's statements, generally from a subjective viewpoint so that they only hear what they want to hear.

With that I sent off a return, then switched rontos and opened a connection to Landarian aboard Relentless.

"This is General Tarnus. Information regarding the Mandalorian ship we are seeking has... come into my hands."

I really, really hated being so vague to one of the very few Imperial officers I had come to view not only as a friendly but as a friend as well. Grimacing a bit to myself, I went on.

"I think this should be more than enough to utilize in finding Admiral Actar's ship. Analyze, and let me know what you find.

"General Tarnus, out."

I sent the message, then sat back with a quick exhalation of breath.

"Well my friend, the poo-doo is more than likely about to hit the fan. Time to determine how to play all this when they find that Mandalorian ship and realize it's sole occupant most certainly is not our dearly departed Admiral."

((OOC: Messages go off to Aaron Barnes and Captain Landarian, both in the Tales of Strength, Life of Honor thread in CSWU forums, thank you.))

[ 02-18-2019 10:55 AM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Sorben Tarnus ]

--------------------

Kani had been asleep, the first true rest she had the opportunity to enjoy in what felt like an eternity. It could then be dismissed that Kani didn’t respond at first because of fatigue then it hit her. Officialy on Imperial records she was still Lyra Kanti not Kani Jetiis’ad. This was something Kani intended to rectify but for the moment it could wait. Opening her eyes that med droid or one just like it was still there but was now flanked by two rather built human males in medical scrubs.

Interesting lets see where this is leading.

The hum of repulsors filled the tank as she was gently lifted out of the tank then lowered down to be held aloft just in front of the pair. They moved with towels in hand dabbing away the lingering bacta. Kani would have protested, but recognized her own condition. Still wiped for energy and a hint of double vision she allowed them to proceed. As they worked the droid explained what the results of the first immersion was and subsequent treatment. In short she would make a full recovery minus her right eye without replacement. There was one more immersion they needed to run but first they wanted her to rest and see if any other problems arose. To that end the two men were some of the finest masseuses the Empire had to offer.

They have more of the body builder look than I would like but if they have good hands it would be rude of me to refuse, besides if this is what it takes to get back into shape I’m only following Tarnus’s orders.

They helped her into a robe before offering her a mirror. The green pigment was mostly gone, the starburst scarring around her right eye still was a vivid green contrasting with her deep aqua skin. It was explained that somehow the scar tissue absorbed the color and would not release it, the effect might fade overtime or not they were unsure. She returned the mirror as they grabbed her belongings and headed off to a private room. It was more luxurious than most hospitals she had seen, she surmised this wing was intended for VIP’s instead of the common solider. With a gentle touch they helped Kani face down on a nearby table and began to work her muscles. One let out an audible gasp of shock at her build, instead of toned muscle Kani had what they described as high tension cables. She let out a chuckle and responded with a short explanation.

“Night Whispered.”

"General Tarnus eyes only; Sir. Please be informed a small fleet of possible Mandalorian ships is currently en route to Coruscant. The maps and information you have sent regarding Admiral Actar and his Mandalorian ship has been analyzed; we expect to be locating his position within the hour.

"Sorben, take care, old friend. Don't let my home get blown up in my absence.

"Landarian, out."

--------------------

....and the obvious group of persons that would be on the chopping block were Galen, Terrin, and all the parties with him that had been out looking for her. And for that matter, Eagle Enterprises would be on the potential chopping block as well. Shawn frowned.

“The people the Rentless picked up, and perhaps Eagle Enterprises itself, will probably be the first that will be up for suspicion when it comes to the Admiral not being on that ship,” Shawn said simply. “I don’t see how this is going to play out any other way...

...unless we can figure out some way to divert the potential blame from them. I mean, how do you explain Galen popping up on a ship of Mandalorian origin that Captain Danner and all the parties on the Challenger were looking for? How do you explain that the Admiral is not there? Especially considering that Terrin is an escaped prisoner and both EE owners have had various less-than-stellar interactions with the Admiral? Unless you somehow play it out that EE was trying to help him out this time, and they got duped by someone or something...”

Shawn paused, shaking his head, not at Sorben but at his spiraling thoughts. “Of course, that ship Galen is on is not an Eagle Enterprises ship....or at least I highly doubt it. And it might be to our advantage that Terrin and whatever crew he has honestly has no idea that you’ve stated Actar is on that ship...”

Shawn trailed once more, an idea of sorts niggling at the corners of his brain. “You know, maybe that’s just it: Maybe their lack of knowledge concerning that someone said Actar was on that ship is their saving grace. They’ve already been detained and questioned...

...and if questioned later about Actar being on the ship none of them are gonna have a damned clue what anyone is talking about. But, in the meantime...”

Quieting a moment, Shawn arched a brow in Sorben’s direction, “All things considered, do you want them detained on the Relentless, where loose lips might sink ships? Despite what he’s been told by you, I don’t know if Terrin has it in him to shut up and sit this one out for any extended length of time. Quite frankly, it’d probably be better for us all at the moment if someone temporarily put him out of the misery he’s probably in, having to sit on his hands and just wait. After all, he’s already clearly communicated information to his business partner.”

Shawn mentally cringed at what he was saying, but he knew it was true from past experience mucking throughout the galaxy with Terrin, looking for Galen.

“After all, right now the Empire believes that those people aboard the Relentless somehow know about a ship that is out there damaged and lost with Admiral Actar aboard. Shouldn’t you, as the current leader of the Empire, want them right under your thumb? At least then that might give us more time to figure out just who we can blame for the fact that the Admiral is in fact not on that ship, or at least why he’s not there any longer.”

[ 02-18-2019 05:29 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Shawn Petrolu ]

--------------------

"First of all, you have to remember...

"I AM the Empire. In lieu of actual orders given by Admiral Actar himself, which of course are not going to be coming any time soon, what I say, goes.

"Plus we don't need to go off running around like a nek with it's head cut off; speculations are one thing, but facts are another. Perhaps it's time to obtain a few."

With that I opened up a channel to Landarian once again.

"Your house and family are in safe hands, old friend," I began in reply to his last transmission. "I will guard them all with my life.

"And speaking of such things, how goes the life of those aboard that little ship which was... stupid enough to pop out of hyperspace so close to you? Let's see, it was a Captain Danner, I believe; and another Captain, Joao wasn't it? Along with..." I paused to give my next words non-verbal inflection. "...a Ryn and a Jedi, who doesn't seem to be doing much in defense of himself or his party, if I recall your report correctly.

"I presume these... detainees have been properly interrogated. It has come to my attention that the results of those interrogations have yet to come to me.

"Please forward, and keep attending to them. I'm sure Admiral Actar has plans for them of his own, and we all know he prefers a clean plate when it comes to such things.

"General Tarnus, out."

I sent the encrypted transmission winging along the Holonet, knowing it would be less than a second before Captain Landarian would be reading and pondering upon them.

In the meanwhile, I turned my attention back to Shawn.

"Ya know, pal?" I began before slugging back my Walkn'Fall double.

"You worry too much. For a Jedi, that is."

I rose to refill my glass, then raising the half-emptied bottle of Whyrene's with a waggle of my brows Shawn's direction.

((OOC: Message goes off to Captain Landarian in Tales of Strength, Life of Honor in the CSWU forums, thank you.))

[ 02-19-2019 03:59 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Sorben Tarnus ]

--------------------

....for us all.” Leaving it at that, Shawn simply took the bottle of Whyrene’s reserve and gave his glass a good refill, taking a good long drink after he did so. “Then again maybe it’s this damn costume I’m in that’s throwing me off my game.”

The smirk returned...but then shifted to a curious look as something Sorben said registered; something that he’d probably said before but Shawn had missed entirely.

Sithspit, it had been a long few days.

“Wait, you said there was a Jedi on the Challenger?”

--------------------

"Affirmative, General. All detainees have been actively questioned with the sole exception of the Ryn.

"To clarify, Captain Joao, Captain Danner and the Jedi Kyan Jeti'isad, and the Ryn have been subject to interrogation strategies, each with the implementation of varying stressors. Per new trial policies in this regard, the Ryn was treated the harshest, and asked no questions. It did not offer pre-emptive answers in any attempt to stop the procedure.

"However, interrogation was successful in some regards with the remaining three. All three adhered to the same story, that they were searching for a Mandalorian ship, known somehow by them to be completely powerless and with only a general distress beacon still operating. Just how exactly this was known had yet to be divulged; my men were ready to begin Phase Two when your order to maintain their health for the sake of Admiral Actar came through.

"To continue, the pilot of this ship is still claimed to be the wife of Captain Danner, one Galen Danner. Just how she came into possession of a Mandalorian ship is just as much of a mystery as the Admiral's procurement of one; methods used up until orders to cease did not entice any of the four to divulge this information. If indeed they were telling the truth about this to begin with.

"Additionally, Captain Danner, escapee from Imperial detention on Coruscant, alluded by his silence the exact methodology employed leading to his, ahh... unexpected release. Again, Phase Two truncation eliminated the chance to determine the answer to this quandary; I trust the good Admiral will not look upon this ship as not carrying out her full duties in this regard.

"My friend, there is a commonality here that I find to be... distressing at the very least. Oddly enough, Captain Danner offered up the same map and coordinates that you recently sent, all to help find this ship. One he and the others claim to be holding his wife, and that our orders state as being piloted by our beloved Admiral.

"This is quite a discrepency, General. It can only imply there is indeed something afoot pertaining to the Mandalorian people, especially since we have now found a group of what appears to be Mandalorian ships leaving that sector of space and heading on a bearing toward Coruscant.

"Further orders, Sir?"

[ 02-21-2019 01:57 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Captain Landarian ]

--------------------

Damn, damn DAMN!

It was all I could do to keep from slamming my fist as hard as I could upon the gleaming greelwood.

So close! I had been so... damned... CLOSE.

I had been preparing to order Landarian to send the little group to Imperial HQ via a prison shuttle, when he just had to connect the dots that were being laid out all around him, noticing the one little oddity I had been praying to myself he would overlook. Landarian and I had indeed come to be as close to being friends as any two men could call themselves, and I thought I knew him well.

Apparently not well enough.

I had been betting on his simple dismissal of just how certain information had been obtained by all parties in this strange little dance we were all attending, hoping he would put it down as something they could find by reading Challenger's transmission logs and was therefore something to delegate to another, giving me the time to logically state the order I wanted to give.

But now... Now an order of that nature would certainly raise his eyebrows further, for in the light of what he'd learned, and more importantly not learned, it would look as if I was actively trying to save these prisoners.

Which of course I was. It's just that I couldn't show that I was.

I shot an uncomfortable glance Shawn's way, noting his returning look of growing dismay.

Giving him an imperceptible nod, I opened the encrypted channel again.

"Begin Phase Two," I said simply, and was about to send the message on when I interrupted myself.

"Except for the Ryn. A Ryn is a Ryn; if no information has been gleaned from that one as yet, it is more than likely none is forthcoming. Especially since it is adopted by Joao. It will know nothing."

I was suddenly inspired.

"Not to mention that keeping that one from further harm might entice the good Captain into being a bit more forthcoming. Be sure he is notified of this.

"General Tarnus, out."

I sent it off, turning now to the Jedi, and just sat there a moment letting my Walkn'Fall laughingly tell me that Sorben ol' hunter, there are just some things in this galaxy your favorite drink can't fix.

((OOC: Message goes off to Captain Landarian in Tales of Strength, Life of Honor in the CSWU forums, thank you.))

--------------------

They were way past that now.

“I have a very bad feeling about all this,” he said then, making a face at the overused Jedi adage but having nothing better to say than that. He took a good long swallow of his Whyrene’s Reserve, then chewed his lip thoughtfully. “We’re gonna have to nip this in the bud somehow, before interrogation turns out honest answers that connect you with them.”

Not to mention how it may destroy needed alliances, came the mental addendum.

Shawn paused then, unhappy with the obviousness of what he had just said, knowing that Sorben already knew as much, and suspecting that he also knew how this could in turn destroy alliance needed to face what was incoming. But then something that Landarian said registered with Shawn.

“Hey wait, did he just say that there is a Jedi Kyan Jetiis’ad with them?” He paused then, raising an eyebrow. “Sorben, that’s Kani’s grandfather...

...and all this may very well explain some of the sudden Mandalorian activity we’re seeing...

...and possibly give a reasonable explanation for Actar’s disappearance and acquisition of a Mandalorian ship,” he said, making quotation marks with his free hand, and really hating what was about to come out of his mouth.

“Terrin got the information he has about Galen’s location via either the Mandalorians or Kani’s grandfather, I could almost bet on it. I can also almost bet that Terrin and Galen acquired the ship she is on from a Mandalorian source, possibly Jedi Jetiis’ad himself. And realistically, Terrin’s primary business is the sell of ships. Either way, any further interrogation is going to verify that...

...so the problem is now going to be how to explain that you acquired information stating Actar was on a Mandalorian ship with the same map and coordinates to the one Captain Danner has given. So what if someone gave you that map as a distraction, knowing good and well Actar is not on that ship?”

Shawn paused, arching an eyebrow again, and taking another drink. “I know it’s not a very “Jedi-like” solution, but it is certainly logical, I think. And you did say you are the Empire. There’s all this Mandalorian activity in the Galaxy all the sudden, not to menton a system full of Sith that weren’t here at all until recently. Both of whom could have given you nonfactual information to throw you off a trail, both who have potential reasons to not like Actar or the Empire very much.”

Shawn took the final swig of his Whyrene’s reserve, cocking a brow once more in Sorben’s direction for a long moment before looking down at the now empty bottle in his hand. “Sithspawn, but I think I need something that’s a little stronger to drink.”

[ 02-21-2019 09:33 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Mara1Jade ]

--------------------

Neuron-Conductivity test, Muscular response times, skeletal calcification, blah blah blah...

When the droid eventually made it to the segment of its speech that consisted of the prognosis and treatment Kani did wave off the two men so she could properly take it all in. She was expected to make a full recovery and able to return to full duty in a day or two, her right eye though was irreparable and once again the droid recommended a replacement.

No, if partial vision loss is the price I had to pay to be free of that thing, then so be it. Besides I have a non surgical idea that I want to try, thank you Twilek biology and Jedi concentration.

She made it clear that there was to be no replacement of her eye however she would require an eye patch for now, something green, she indicated the green highlights of the starburst like scar on the right side of her face. The droid briefly acknowledged her orders then moved onto the treatment, after assessment she would go back into the bacta tank. Previously it was used to stabilize her condition so she could be assessed now it would be tuned to her exact physical ailments. Kani nodded in agreement giving a go ahead for the droid and two men trio to proceed.

"I agree, we are at possible loggerheads here. You see, from my viewpoint I can state that per my wish to keep my source protected, I reached out privately, gained said information, and then deleted all traces of said transmission. This is not unusual; Actar did the very same quite often. And my information is viewed as gold... as it came from my own lips.

"This, however, does indeed put Danner in a bit of a sticky wicket. For quite certainly it would appear that he was seeking the Admiral's ship himself; indeed, that unknown allies to him managed to partially disable it but then lost it when it fell out of hyperspace, and he was en route to finish the job. The transmission seeking my aid was then merely a ruse, and is indeed how the Empire would view things. And when that ship is found and Galen is the one aboard and not Actar, well...

"This will of course only raise more eyebrows. It just might be taken as that somehow your team managed to disable that ship enough to capture or kill Actar, and got Galen and others aboard. Actar is overcome; perhaps found unconscious aboardship, placed in a portable Force Cage, and spirited away. Meanwhile Galen remains behind to pilot the ship to whomever was behind this plot to assassinate Actar, only for reasons of her own decided on a different course. Those who know Galen know she is forever taking off at a moment's notice, refusing to reveal her plans to anyone for the simple reason of protection by giving them plausible deniability."

I paused, rising to return to the sideboard there to visit my old friend Walkn'Fall yet another time. Finding the bottle depleted, I switched rontos and poured myself a Whyrene's instead. I didn't want anyone coming into my ready room at an inconvenient moment simply to bring me more of my signature beverage.

I didn't bother to return to my seat, but rather stood at the sideboard, leaning an elbow upon it. Seeing a logical rebuttal rising in Shawn's eyes, I raised a pre-emptive finger.

"Why would Terrin come to me? Because he honestly trusts that I would help him rescue Galen, since she was my wife dammit, and we have a daughter together. And as for my responding assistance in this?

"Admiral Actar was forever chasing after her, for reasons known only to him.

"I don't think I have to worry about myself, Shawn. But we do have to worry about Terrin and Yaoksi and the Ryn, and yes, Kani's grandfather as well. In fact I'm beginning to become more than just a bit concerned about Kani's Mandalorian background, now that there appears to be a group of Mandalorian ships headed directly here.

"These were supposed to be an extinct people, yet suddenly we seem to be up to our ears in Mandalorian ships. Which brings me to another wrinkle: It may be said that Lt. Jeti'saad's sudden appearance on Tatooine as my new assistant is highly suspect in and of itself.

"Look at the dots, Shawn. Admiral Actar stated to be piloting a Mandalorian ship... which I stated prior to knowing that there are others out there! I would have used another excuse to find Galen's ship had I known, but that's water under the bridge now.

"SO we have that. We have the fact that Galen will be discovered in said ship instead of Actar. We have the fact that I suddenly have a new assistant in the form of a Night Whisperer with Mandalorian roots. And we have the 98% positively assured fact that a group of Mandalorian ships are currently en route to Coruscant.

"What would you think? I'm thinking the same thing they will be thinking: that the Mandalorian people have been hiding, biding their time, and are quietly attempting to enact a military coup against the Empire. Remember, General Swatzi was assassinated too, but no one knows by whom."

I shot the Whyrene's down my throat, then set the glass on the sideboard with a resounding clink. Returning to my desk I remained standing and opened a channel to my acting assistant, to then order a second bottle of Walkn'Fall.

My finger still on the communications toggle, I looked up from under my brows at the quietly listening Jedi.

"I don't think I have to fear for myself, Shawn. But rather, I have to fear for your friends, as well as for Kani. I can only protect so much without beginning to look like traitor to the Empire. And unfortunately, as things now stand it is looking more and more like your friends have sided with the Mandalorians to engage in traitorous actions themselves."

[ 02-22-2019 04:49 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Sorben Tarnus ]

--------------------

"General Tarnus, this is Commander Jissel aboard ISD Todthund. Hyperspace tracking droid confirms presence of two Mandalorian vessels, possibly warships, on current heading to Coruscant. We assume them to be thus as their profiles do not exactly fit those known to us at this time.

"Furthermore, a secondary probe discovered another larger group of Mandalorian ships, coming along a bearing originating--" He rattled off a series of coordinates "--heading in the direction of known Mandalorian space; we believe Todthund's retrieval of the two droids and our departure from orbit and insertion into hyperspace was implemented before this group was close enough to pick up our signatures.

"End report.

"Awaiting further orders, Commander Jissel, over."

[ 02-22-2019 11:35 AM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by The Empire ]

--------------------

I gave him a waggle of brows that could only be interpreted as, "It never rains but it pours..." before opening up a return channel, likewise coded and encrypted and the whole damned nine yards.

Khaandon's Ghost, but I yearned for the simplicity of my Hunter days!

"Todthund, General Tarnus. Deploy a hyperspace tracking droid in high altitude orbit of planet, just to keep an eye on things. There is to be no military action at this time; our greatest weapon is knowledge. Keep me apprised if the status of this droid changes at any time, for any reason.

"As for you and your gallant men, return to--" I rattled off the coordinates "--to assist Landarian and Relentless in locating..."

I paused a brief moment for the sheer improbability of my next words.

"...another Mandalorian ship, this one reported by trusted sources to be occupied by Admiral Actar himself. Captain Landarian can fill you in on the details.

"Good work, Commander. It is duly logged and noted; there may be a commendation in this for you.

"General Tarnus, out."

A flip of a switch, and the transmission winged off to Todthund.

I plopped in my seat with an exhalation of breath.

"This is really not my cuppa caff," I muttered darkly, wondering now just what dianoga was going come sneaking along next to bite me in the butt... which of course one did in the form of yet another message. This one originated in-house, merely informing me of the current status of Lieutenant Jeti'saad.

I looked to Shawn, determining the best course of action.

"Perhaps there is wisdom in the old adage, Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. Bringing the young lieutenant fully onboard with us can easily be manipulated as me doing precisely this, should the need arise at some future date.

"Meanwhile just how much we do reveal to her depends on her being one hundred percent onboard with us. There is some concern with where her absolute gut loyalties lie; while I trust she trusts that I trust her superficially, can she remain trusting in me, in what I may have to do so future goals may be reached, and not revert to planting her loyalties squarely back with her Grandfather and people, especially when I may have to act against them for the sake of our future goals?

"This hesitancy on my part may be simple paranoia, but the Mandalorians have never been known to be a chatty people, or to wear their emotions on their sleeves. Believe me, I know this from firsthand experience.

"And," I finished emphatically. "There is one thing that is certain, and that is the Empire's hyperspace tracking abilities absolutely does not leave this room.

"Am I understood?"

I paused a heartbeat to give Shawn a look even more emphatic.

"This will come out, and be distributed to our assured allies. You have to trust me in this.

"But not now. There are simply too many ears everywhere; we cannot afford this information falling into the hands of the Vong, as improbable as that possibility might be. It's improbable that not only are they coming again, but that we know about it. Hyperspace tracking is one thing, but knowing they are coming while in intergalactic hyperspace? That is still beyond reach.

"Yet we doknow!" And how we know is something I just cannot pop up and state, "Oh hey, magic is everywhere!" You know as well as I do that this would lead to panic on a scale I don't even want to imagine.

"So! Much information needs to remain hush-hush, other information guarded jealously, and if we have collateral damage along the way, well...

"That's just something I'm going to have to live with. I just hope I'm able to get all our womprats in a row before anything as drastic as that happens.

"At least anymore," I finished, wincing to think of what was probably happening to Captains Danner and Joao and Kani's broken Jedi grandfather.

[ 02-22-2019 12:30 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Sorben Tarnus ]

--------------------