Alexis walked torwards the door and then looked back at Dash.
Thank you Dash, This day is going better already and to top it all off. He's kinda cute too. She thought.

"Pick any outfit you want."

She hurried through the racks and picked up something she liked. I paid the Droid at the counter, and we continued back to the SHIMMERING SCIMITAR.

We arrived to see DINK, sitting on top of a pile of JUNK, and MALF sitting on the floor surrounded by FOOD! "I guess 90 credits goes a long way on this planet, Hunh MALF?!?"

DINK ran over to me and placed an INFO-chip in my hand. "OOO-TEE-DEE" he exclaimed.

I took Alexis to the cockpit, trying very hard to surpress the pheremones that emit from my body. Oh, those seductive pheremones, they can be a hassle sometimes. But most times they can work in my favour.

"DINK, this is an IMPERIAL CODE CLEARANCE!!! Where did you get this??? THANK YOU DINK!!!" I scooped the little guy up and gave him a hug.

"Off we go, next stop SULLUST!"

I ran the Start-up routine for lift-off, and soon we were in the air. We left the planet's atmosphere, only to be stopped by some type of blockade!

I opened a COMM to one of the ships. "This is the SHIMMERING SCIMITAR, may I ask what is going on here? I simply wish to leave this over grown, inferno, of a planet!"

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

Heading toward the cockpit where Shawn and Paul took their seats, he alerted them on the situation. Lumbia's tongue went quickly, at times changing the very language he was speaking in.

"The dagua--I mean, the Imperial are here." Lumbia said, his eyes moving back quickly to where the Twi'lek sat comfortablly in the back, on one of the beds. Whoever this guy was he lived a luxurious style. Things that would only be expected from a big gambler, and...

At this time, it seemed like they were gambling with all their lives in this haste escape.

Lumbia glared out once again into space, out of the cockpit window, his lips curving to create a frown. He was right, he could feel it through the waver of the force. Turmoil had brewed quickly within the atomsphere over Tattonie, and it had to do with what they had came to this smuggling ship for. Throwing his body limply on the Old Republic Coruscant woven carperts, he stared at the ceiling of the ship.

"Guys, lets just go. I'm sure they let us go after we tell them what we we're here on this planet for. Their is no way, even if I'm wrong that they aren't Imperial, they aren't smugglers. I'm sure that smugglers, or pirates would even attempt pulling something like this off." He said, his hands being placed behind his head, trying to attain a calm posture.

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

He could sense that their pursuers had not given up, that even now they are returning to their ships to give chase.

Pau looked ahead of him, saw the vast array of Imperial ships strung out, and quickly pulled back on the throttle.

"Matters not if we can outfly them now..." he said. Less than a few seconds later, the ship shook as it became absorbed into the fleet's massive tractor beam.

Paul looked down on the freighter's sensors, seeing another ship caught in the same situation as they are.

The Jedi considered what Lumbia had said, wondering if the Empire would accept the droid, rusting now in the depths of the freighter's cargo hold, and then destroy them all in a blink of an eye.

They did send those Jedi, or whatever they were, after us...but were they sent to kill us, or...or...aid in our search?

Paul frowned at the thought as such a thing is very unlikely these days.

And there is still Kia'ra...

Figuring that they have no other option, Paul turned on the ship's comm to the first Star Destroyer that caught it.

"Attention Imperial Fleet. This is Paul Arrakeen. I was sent by General Tarnus to retrieve a valuable item for him and the Empire. I would gladly hand it over as long as he still intends to keep his part of the deal..."

Letting us go free.

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

"Sir!" he barked before falling into expectant silence.

Ahem's brow quirked. He set his cup of tea down carefully, then folded his hands together on top of his gleaming greelwood desk.

"Something to report, Major?" he inquired calmly. "More... occurrences below us?"

The major tipped his head, and quickly explained the situation, ending with another salute. He whirled smartly, and departed for his place back on the bridge.

Ahem picked up his cup and looked at it a moment. Then he sighed and got to his feet. Soon he was aboard the bridge himself, coming in to a humming scene of controlled activity. He waved a hand as the Officer On Deck snapped to attention, cutting off the obligatory announcement of "General on deck!" as he merely continued moving forward to the board controlling the short-range sensors of Sormontato. He came to a stop behind the lieutenant manning the station, and stood quietly mulling over the incoming sensor data streams which were repeatedly scrolling across the screens. After a moment he cleared his throat, and spoke up.

"I want a visual on both craft, Lieutenant," he ordered, then clasped his hands behind his back as he waited for that order to be carried out. It didn't take long for two images to pop up on the screens; he couldn't help the small sigh as he viewed them.

A strong hand rose to scratch his nose in contemplation. Then--

"Release the freighter, and send a squadron of long-range fighters as escort. That ship is to get to Coruscant without further delay or risk of attack; send the Blackline Wing. They'll make certain it gets there.

"And as for that YT-3000... well.

"Tractor it aboard. Two ships careening together from this dead dustball, and one on special mission for Lt. General Tarnus... I wish to speak personally to this second ship's commander and find out just why it was chasing intently enough to totally disregard and then impact our tractor beam shield."

He fell silent then, then whirled on one heel. In moments he had returned to his ready room, where he seated himself to await the unravelling of further events. He picked up his cup of tea, and frowned.

It was cold.

"Oh, no... we're caught in a tractor beam, I'm gonna have to power down. Everyone into the smuggleing compartments! And MALF, try to keep quiet. I'll be alright, I've got a few tricks up my sleave!"

On that note everyone walked off to the secret compartments in the floor.

"Don't worry Alexis, I'll get you to your brother!!! If it's the last thing I do!"

Then I waited... It seemed to take forever to be 'TRACTORED' into the larger ship.

[ 04-01-2003 11:57 AM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Graysith ]

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Or an escort duty...

The Jedi blinked, a little surprised of the certainty of the thought...as if he was almost positive that was going to happen. Paul realized that this may be the Force at work here...

Yet it has been so long since I was able to use it effectively...why now?

The fighters drew closer to the freighter, and though Paul could sense the tension growing in each passenger aboard the ship, he felt his slowly disappear. The squadron was less than a few kilometers away before the old ship's scanners identified the fighter class.

Their weapons are charged...but not fully. And they seem to have hyperdrives...

The cockpit shook again as they were released from the massive tractor beam. The squadron of fighters flew past the ship before coming around again...

"Attention, freighter!" the radio crackled. "This is Blackline Leader. Our orders are to escort you to Coruscant. We're downloading the coordinates to you now..."

Paul leaned forward to flip the transponder switch to respond. "Uh, copy that, Blackline Leader. We'll be jumping shortly..."

Soon the coordinates were entered to the hyperdrive and the countdown began...

Before Paul could jump the freighter into hyperspace, he glanced back to Kia'ra, no doubt disappointed at this turn of events.

"Ryloth will have to wait until this thing is done." Paul said, making a promise he intended to keep.

And I will, too.

The stars merged together into a tunnel of light as the freighter entered hyperspace, with Paul failing to notice the assurance in his thoughts again...

((OOC: Follow us to "Return To Tomorrow" in the Empire and New Republic Thread...right after that "force cuff" business is done with, of course.))

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I walked back to the cockpit, and waited for what seemed to be a rediculously long time.

Finally the tractor beam brought the SHIMMERING SCIMITAR into the hangar bay of the much larger ship. I sat and waited, trying to reach out with the FORCE to see what was in store for me here. I did not receive a 'friendly' feeling off of anyone aboard the larger ship! Knowing that I would most likely be stripped of all weapons, before questioning, I carefully hid my LIGHTSABER in the folds of my long flowing cloak.
Oh, the tangled WEBS we weave... I thought to myself as I sat waiting for someone to come and take me away.

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

He paused in silence before them. Both sides sized each other up. Then the Squad leader cut his eyes to the Reborn next to him, cut them back to the blue-skinned being they had tractored in. One hand made the merest motion; the blue-skinned being's cloak immediately flipped back, revealing a lightsaber.

"You will not be needing this weapon," the Squad leader said, a somewhat dark tone tingeing his voice. Then he seemed to pause again, lifting his head to actually nose the air like a hunting Noghri.

"There are others present," he said succinctly, a flat look passing across his face. He cut his eyes to the other three Reborn.

"Find them."

He then fell silent as the other three nodded in affirmation, lighting their own lightsabers as they strode up the gangway and entered the interior of the freighter. There they proceeded to make a quick, thorough and altogether successful search; it was nothing for their use of the dark side of the force to lead them directly to the smuggling compartment. With a synchronized wave of their hands the hatches to those compartments flew upwards, striking the bulkheads around them with resounding clangs, and revealing in one compartment the hunkered forms of Dink, Alexis and Malf.

The Reborn made a motion with their lightsabers, indicating that the three depart the ship immediately. They had no choice but to do as instructed; soon all four were together at the foot of the gangway, flanked by the Reborn. The Squad leader waited until all were together, then he turned a flat gaze upon Dash once again.

"You will follow me," he said, and proceeded to lead the way to General Ahem's ready room.

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

The sight of these beings was quite unnerving, I didn't want to risk the lives of my friends, so I didn't fight the tug I flet on my LIGHTSABER, as it flew to the squad leaders hand. I'll have to use my wits to get out of this mess. Thank the maker that my friends are still safe!

And on that note 4 Lightsabers ignited around me. I took up my best defensive posture, but they weren't after me, the Squad leader had found MALF, DINK, and ALEXIS, and ordered them retreived.

"There is no need to harm my friends!" I said as calmly as I could. I could tell that I would have to tread very carefully now!

The other 3 beings exited the SHIMMERING SCIMITAR, each with a prisoner at the tip of the LIGHTSABER they carried. "Don't resist them, it will only bring harm your way." I told my friends as we were wisked away. My friends, to a holding cell. And me to the ready room of GENERAL AHEM.

"I am Dash Kelderon, and you are holding my friends and I wrongfully. We have caused no harm to you or this planet that you now seem to have control of. We simply seek to leave TATOOINE. We have nothing of any value, save my old ship, in the cargo hold of the SHIMMERING SCIMITAR. I'll gladly give it to you for passage out of this SYSTEM."

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

I nearly became incontinent! I tried to speak, but no words left my little JAWA mouth. I just followed the scary looking LIGHTSABER guys. Straight to a HOLDING CELL no less! Just my luck! Oh well, I'm sure I can hotwire the locking mechanism. I'll just wait a little while before I attemp anything crazy!

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

At length he sniffed and spoke.

"Tell me what you were doing pursuing that freighter," he said in a flat tone, reaching for his tea once again. Even though his eyes were arrowed over the rim of his cup directly into Dash's, they somehow conveyed the impression that everyone present in his ready room was under the same hard and unblinking scrutiny.

Taking up another sweetmeat, he popped it into his mouth and fell silent, waiting.

"Well..." I paused to take a closer look at his rank insignea, "General, I have no idea what you are talking about. I'm just trying to get off of TATOOINE in one piece. I only noticed the other ship when I reached your blockade."

I paused again, waiting for a response. None came.

"My name is Dash Kelderon, and the people you are holding prisoner are my friends, and I would appreciate it if we could just be on our way."

I tried to get a sense of his character by using the FORCE, he had a keen intellect, but I decided to try a mind trick on him anyway. I did this as descretely as possible.

"You may set my friends and I free now. We have nothing of value." I waited to see if this would work. If not, I could be in some serious trouble!!!

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

All eight eyes stared darkly into Ahem's.

The general seemed to shake himself, his lip curling now as his eyes narrowed. He set the cup down upon its saucer with a little click,, folded his hands and leaned forward.

"Your tricks will not work with me, Jedi," he said softly... but the softness was overlaid upon a note of pure iron.

"And now... you will tell me why you were pursuing that freighter."

"With all due respect General, I have already told you all I know about that freighter. The first time I laid eyes on it was when I got held up by your tractor beam. I give you my word as a JEDI."

If this doesn't work, I'm going to have to turn to the SHADEY side of the FORCE!!! A part of my past I thought I had delt with already... But I could feel the anger coursing through my body. I'll really have to keep my emotions in check to get out of this situation. At that moment, I vowed to myself. NO BLOODSHED! I will not harm any of the ignorant beings on this ship.

There was another long pause in the seemingly lop-sided conversation. I'm running out of bargaining tools. This could get messy. I thought.

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

"WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME? WHAT HAVE I DONE?" She yelled to thin air.
Then she went to a corner and wept.

"As I have said General, there is no reason for holding my friends and I, we have nothing, so there is little to gain from detaining us further."

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

"I will keep my own counsel as to that," he replied somewhat harshly, rising to his feet as he did so. He raised a hand to the Reborn in preparation of issuing a command when the door to his ready room slid open, revealing a high ranking Reborn framed therein. The officer saluted smartly before entering the chambers, coming before General Ahem and standing at alert attention.

"The ship has been thoroughly searched, General," he said. "Nothing of great import has been found; she carried standard weaponry and shielding, and is equipped much as we expected with the normal range of smuggling compartments, but all seem empty and she does appear to be no threat."

He paused to turn his head and send a knowing gaze into Dash's eyes.

"I had the compartments filled and sealed per your command, General," he finished with, a sly look passing briefly across his face before he sobered. "We found a great many, er-- odds and ends, Sir; these were confiscated as were all hand weapons. There are a couple which were unknown to us; we are analyzing them now. I also thoroughly disabled the ship's primary and secondary weapons; she will need more than a casual refit to regain these. Although she was no threat to begin with, she certainly is less of one now, Sir."

The general nodded, then waved a hand. Immediately all five Reborn present stiffened, closing their eyes as they sensed out with their combined Force talents, searching, seeking... while they could not of course actually "read" Dash's mind, in combination they could quite easily sense his emotional state... oftentimes a good indicator of what is really going on in someone's mind. At length they loosened their stances a bit, and the officer facing General Ahem spoke up with a salute.

"There is no indication of deception in this one, General," he announced. "We do detect something rather of a certain... kinship with us, but it is not of any concern or threat. Sir."

General Ahem nodded, slowly sitting down and taking up his tea once again. He raised it to Dash.

"You and your party are free to go," he said in dismissal. "But let me warn you to take a care as to which worlds you choose to travel to. I would not recommend Coruscant; oh yes. Be aware that your ship's identification signature is in our files now; we will know if you try to so much as approach the Core worlds.

"I'd stay safely in the Outer Rim if I were you."

His lips curled as he smiled, but that smile did not come near to sparking in his eyes. Then he brought the teacup to his lips and took a sip, seeming to ignore everyone present as the Reborn stiffened, saluted, moved to flank Dash, and paraded him from the ready room. But though his eyes were vague and he appeared to be enjoying his tea, his every focus was upon the departing C'hiss.

"General" I said as I looked back.
"I thank you for our passage from this world. I'm sure the EMPIRE will rise to it's greatness once again, with individuals such as yourself in charge!"

"And General, I applaud your wisdom in letting us go! Just one more thing. Upon entering my ship... I wish to have my LIGHTSABER back. Will you arrange this for me as an act of good will on the part of the EMPIRE and all of it's returning glory?"

I sttod motionless at that point. Waiting for what I hoped would be the final reply I would ever hear from General Ahem.

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

He folded his hands upon his desk.

"Hello Dash this is Jebbua, don't worry about me i'm fine. I'm on Sullest where I will be for a few days, so I hope you get this message before I leave, but if I do leave i'll send another message to let you know.
Jebbua out."

Alexis smiled with happiness.

Jebbua is ok, but how did he get to Sullest? I thought he was going to Corcasant with those guys. She thought.

She sat in the co-pilot seat and waited for Dash to come back.

I turned and entered my ship. I looked around inside. What a mess! I thought. I walked to the front of the ship to see Alexis in the co-pilot chair.

"Well, I got US out in one peice, the ship on the other hand..."

"We can always pick up a new or used ship somewhere! The important thing now is finding Master JEBBUA. Let's get out of here before they detain us any further!"

On that note I expertly piloted my half dimantled ship out of the hangar, and blasted off into space.

"You all seem to be in one piece, were you misstreated in any way?" I asked Alexis.

[ 04-09-2003 05:17 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Dash Kelderon ]

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She looked at Dash.

"Thanks Dash. I don't know where i would be without you."

Alexis got up and started to walk out of the cockpit.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that Master JEBBUA is alright! Next stop SULLEST..." I paused. "We can resupply there, I hope. What was it you.... never mind. I'll let you get some rest."

I watched as her very feminine form turned and walked away from the cockpit, and into her assigned room. I wonder what Master JEBBUA would say if I started dating his sister?!? I burried that thought for a later time. Right now I have to get us to SULLEST in one piece. I flipped the switch and we entered the never ending starline that was known to all as hyperspace.

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