Star Wars Saga: The last, best Hope [AU] - IC

[Moral Wiz]

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Meh. He's got experience on her, but Rathe's got surprise. Dunno if he knows if she's a force user, but he sounds like he's going to underestimate her.

And she doesn't have to duel wield. She's more likely to try trickery here. Know your foe, after all. Anyone who tries Ataru first is screaming "overreaching".

Not deadly, but... well, Rathe doesn't like loosing. And as this is the first time she's fought a Jedi, she's going to at least try and give a good account of herself.

With a movement, Rathe slips into a passable imitation of Soresu, and ignites her blade once more with a smile, letting Irian set the pace... to start with.

Once attacked though, she shifts quickly to a "rough and ready" attempt at Makashi, jumping, dancing and slashing almost as quickly as the Jedi Knight. She's careful to avoid a single stance as much as possible though, jumping between whatever she thinks Irian isn't expecting. Soresu to Niman, Shien to Djem So. Sometimes feint with a stance for a few seconds, sometimes hold it for several strokes of the blade. She favors Makashi, though, as much as she tries to avoid it, using it to funnel the overly fast attacks from Irian's Ataru.

[Liliedhe]

@Rathe:

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Nobody says she can't do that, but of course he knows she is a Force User^^.

He seems a bit surprised that she is so versatile and quick, but adjusts. His style is quite smooth, going here, going there, making the most of the free space here and what is quite quickly apparent is that he doesn't plan. She can't read him at all. He goes here, there, whereever, but no strategy seems recognisable. Finally, when they are both sweatsoaked and growing tired, he steps back and deactivates the blade.

"You are good. Where did you learn that?"

[Moral Wiz]

Rathe

"From my old master. A man who wasn't forgiving of sloppy bladework"

Even through the sweat, she smiled. Her blade flickers off a moment after the Jedi's, though she seems somewhat more tired from the match than him. She ghasps for air somewhat, before talking.

You... weren't exactly bad yourself Irian. Hard to read, hard to predict... I can see how you made Jedi Knight. I'd hate to fight outside the sparring ring.

[Liliedhe]

@Rathe:

"Thank you."

He smiles and bows. "My master had her own priorities. She was very big on living in the moment, on not waiting for things. Don't get caught up in what ifs, trust in the living Force. It took me long enough to understand."

[Moral Wiz]

Rathe

"Heh. Mine too loved his philosophy. That's what makes Masters what they are. Understanding the higher mysteries. One thing, at least, they've all got in common, no?"

Smiling, she returned the training saber to it's rack.

"Still, good match, I think. Haven't had a fight like that in quite a while."

[Liliedhe]

@Rathe:

That perks his interest. "Who was your master?" He grabs a waterbottle from his gearbag and downs it, before slinging the towel up around his shoulders and walking over to Rathe.

[Moral Wiz]

Rathe

Rathe's smile fades a little. She knows that this is not going to be easy territory for conversation. Her eyes look pretty cold now as Irian approaches

A member of the Inquisitorius.

[Liliedhe]

@Rathe:

He doesn't really seem surprised. After all, how many potential ways are there for an Imperial to learn the ways of the Force? Instead he walks past her, towards the door, where he stops.

"Do you want a drink? I'm not going to bite you."

[Moral Wiz]

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err.... I feel like I've been hogging the thread with this. A lot.

Rathe

Rathe seems slightly surprised at the absence of hostility on the name of the Inquisitorious. After all, they are a group dedicated to hunting Jedi. If anything, the lack of open hostility makes her tense up a little.

Still, she manages a small smile, and nods.

If you don't mind.

[Liliedhe]

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So what?^^ It's not like everybody has to read it if they don't want to.

@Rathe:

"Look, I doubt there's anybody on board who hasn't done things they are not proud of. You can't change the past. You can only change who you are now, and you are here."

He shrugs, and leads her out of the door. "That's enough for me."

[Moral Wiz]

Rathe

Rather at a loss for words again, Rathe follows Irian out of the training room

Thank you. I... appreciate that.

Silence

You know, you are a menace to conversation.

[Liliedhe]

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Well, we should let the others catch up now^^, just go and get a drink.

The young Jedi leads her to the ship's mess where he gets her whatever beverage she prefers. They are not alone, sleeplessness seems quite prevalent aboard the Tython, and several pilots and crewmembers are hanging out here, playing cards or Dejarik.

A Gungan tries to manoeuver a loaded tray out through the doorway and looks like he's just half a step away from a catastrophe, before the door closes and cuts you off from the sight...

[Moral Wiz]

Rathe

Seated with a light drink, Rathe winces at the Gungan's flailing. She even steps up to help, but unfortunately, as she does so, the door slams. With a frown, Rathe retakes her seat, content to relax a little, and look around the room.

[Ascension]

"No thanks," Rissa responds to the droid, "I know I can trust your work. But I declare if Rogue Three has any more system malfunctions I'm going to make him tear the whole ship down to the frame and rebuild it himself. And then I'm going to do it again myself just to be sure he didn't screw it up."

If there's one thing Rissa never jokes about, it's starfighters.

[OldSchoolGamer7]

QT-86

"I really wish you wouldn't. It'll be more work for you than you want. If Rogue 3 is incompetent, wash him out. I would much rather this be settled without either party getting hurt; you should know that by now." QT seems to lose just a little bit of altitude as if his emotions were hurt. Whether or not this was actually the case, even it doesn't know for certain. "Is there anything else that needs be done? If not, where are you off to; I may join you."

[Ascension]

Rissa

"Where are you off to... that's an awfully metaphysical question for a droid, no offense intended. Where are we off to? What might this upcoming venture into espionage bring us? Half the crew's turned into insomniacs over that very question, it seems..."

[Liliedhe]

@Rathe:

There is no sound of a crash coming from the other side of the door, so the Gungan seems to have managed to escape catastrophe. Or it was just a silent crash.

@the guys in the hangar bay:

While you discuss the problems posed by reckless pilots and suboptimal resupply opportunities, a clattering noise interrupts you, followed by a quite colourful Huttese curse. It seems like you weren't the only ones tinkering with things at this hour...

[Ascension]

Rissa

The Quarren storms into the hangar when she hears the clatter.

"Okay, who was that? That had better not be anyone hurting any of my ships! Especially not Baby! The Incom Corporation pays me to test their equipment, not destroy it!"

[Liliedhe]

No... Her beautiful ship is undisturbed, as are the ships of the Rogue Squadron. As she storms through the hangar bay, she finds the source of the noise: A smaller, wedgeshaped starfighter, one of the old Clone Wars designs, painted in blue. Someone was tinkering with the engines of the antiquity and dropped a tool on the hood, scratching the paint. An R2 unit beeps softly and disapprovingly, while it retrieves the offending thing.

The unfortunate mechanic is still stuck halfway to the hips within the engine but he has stopped cursing. The paintjob on the ship, a blue luminscent figure, reminds Rissa of something...

[BooNL]

Reilo

Reilo runs into the hanger at high speed, but as he sees the mechanic he slows down. "Damn those rookie kung!" He takes a step forward "Mind what you're doing you koochu!"

He turns back to his companions. "I'm heading down to the cantina, I could use some relaxation. Looks like you could use a drink Rissa, feel like joining me?" He looks at the droid "You're welcome as well, QT."

[Moral Wiz]

Rathe

As her friend strides through the Hanger, Rathe takes a short of her drink, and smiles at Irian

If that poor guy'd been going the other way, it'd be the start of a joke probably. A Gungan, a Jedi and an ex-Inquisitor walk into a Cantina....

[Liliedhe]

@Reilo and Rissa:

The mechanic doesn't seem to be inclined to answer that reproach, he remains engrossed in the intricate workings of the engine. The R2 Unit on the other hand starts to beep frantically and if it wouldn't be a ridiculously human standard to put on a droid, you'd say he is chewing you out.

@Rathe:

"I think I've heard that one before..." He chuckles. "It's right there with 'How many Imperials do you need to change a glowrod?'"

[Ascension]

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The Azure Angel? Hah! And I thought the Imperial Jedi would be the first to meet Anakin...

By the way, what is the R2 unit saying? Rissa knows Binary.

"Do you need a hand with your antiquated rustbucket?" Rissa asks, chuckling, "Or is your temperamental little droid here help enough?"

"Grinning" she adds, "By the way, I'm required by my contract to point out in situations like this that Incom Corporation products are designed for easy maintenance and reliability..."

[Moral Wiz]

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Oh, I dunno. She was closest at the start of this. And I wanted a more amicable meeting than you seem about to get.

Rathe

Heh. I'm afraid I never got told that one. Can't imagine why. Feel like sharing?

Rathe smiled a little more, and winked at her new Jedi friend, as she sipped her drink.

[Liliedhe]

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Well, I thought it would fit Rissa better - both are pretty insane about their starfighters, aren't they?^^

@Rissa:

The R2 unit is clearly very outspoken about you minding your own effing business and showing the proper respect to your commanding officer...

As it seems clear that the disturbance is not going to go away, the mechanic pulls himself out of the ship and gracefully lands on the floor. "It's ok, Artoo. And no, I don't need help." General Skywalker looks you over with calm blue eyes, one of them marked by a faint, pale scar running from the middle of his forehead down to the cheek.

His mouth curls into a slightly ironic smile, as he calls the hydrospanner into back into his hand. "And I have told you I do not require the services of your company. So, can you just leave it be, please?"

@Rathe:

"I don't really remember the details, but it was 'three'. One to change it, one to check whether procedure is followed, and one to arrest the other two in case they violate it..."

[Moral Wiz]

Rathe

Heh. Sounds about right.

Rathe laughs, warming more and more to Irian

Now this was something I didn't expect when I went over to the Rebellion. Having to learn a new set of jokes. Got any more?

[OldSchoolGamer7]

"Something tells me that we may want to let this 'odd couple' alone. They are both willful and headstrong; both qualities of effective leaders. That little R2 unit...it still amazes me. I have a lot of respect for it.

"That being said, it is my duty and my programming to make sure you don't need assistance, Master Skywalker. If not, I will step out and leave you to it." QT hovers a little higher than normal, watching the rest of the hangar for any other activity.

[Liliedhe]

"Thank you, QT, but I don't require assistence. Artoo and I are doing fine." He nods a greeting at the hovering droid, before turning back to his customized starfighter, hopping back onto the wing and disappearing into the engine again.

The little Astromech beeps a condescending 'told ya' at you, before he too resumes his work.

[Ascension]

Rissa is rather startled by the revelation. She recoils, tentacles quivering.

"Aah, right. This is your fighter... Sorry sir. Won't happen again, sir. Good luck. Have a good evening. I'll be going now."

Rissa hastily withdraws from the hangar. Meeting Reilo again at the exit, she lays a hand on the Khil's shoulder.

"I've changed my mind. That drink's starting to sound like a good idea. Let's go."

As they walk away, she glances back over her shoulder as if to make sure she isn't being followed.

[Liliedhe]

Nobody is following her.

In the Mess Hall you find - aside from some other unsleeping crewmembers - your personal Imperial deserter looking rather sweaty and disheveled, in animated discussion with a blond Jedi.

"I'll try to remember. Do you know the one of the two Clones who get lost on Endor? It was pretty popular when I was a Padawan, even though it's... not nice", he grins, a quite boyish grin despite him being certainly in his midtwenties.