Chapter 2: Forges of Ithyari

[Chickenman 9]

Aeric thought about it a moment. "Sure. Anything else? Anyone? Good. Get your stuff ready and head to the hangar. Dismissed."

[Vergere 1]

Brier spoke up before everyone could leave, "I also brought with me an R2 unit for Flight Officer Szen Brǽnen. He's sitting in the hangar right now if you want to go find him." She nodded and waited for it to clear out a bit before casually walking over to Aeric. "Any particular role you want me to play while on planet? Or just whatever is needed at the time?"

Once she got her response, she nodded, and quietly exited the room.

Edited August 25, 2007 by Vergere

[Rogue 4]

Layla stood, stretching. She had an idea it'd probably be easier for everyone if she didn't go in so...pink.

She turned to Jaim with a grin. "Arms deal on Ithyari, huh? You must've been running some sweet buisness." Four years ago she remembered Archaic trying to convince the Ithyarians to sell to them, but the Imperials were stouborn...even when Archaic was on their side they didn't trust them.

[Mara 29]

As everyone started filing up, Kaden turned to Szen. "Well, I guess you won't be needing Whiny now." He smiled.

"I'll go find him and Artie later and tell him the bad news."

He turned and looked around. The Intel woman was speaking to the captain, so he decided to wait to talk to her. He had thought of a couple things about Ithyari he wanted to know, not being previously familiar with the planet. He would have to find her later before they left. But for now, he picked up his small sack of belongings and headed to the hangar where his droid was waiting with his friend.

Edited August 24, 2007 by Mara

[Ender 8]

Jaim staggered to his feet, using Tak's head as support to get up. "Yeah, it was good for a while. Then the guy I was working for got killed. That was the end of that."

[Radioactive Isotope 29]

Atuarre gently laid a hand on Layla's shoulder. "Good luck, Layla. I'll see you at the rendezvous."

[Rogue 4]

Layla stifled a laugh as he used Tak's head as a railing. "Yeah, well that'll put a damper on just about anything."

She smiled over at Atuarre. "Thanks! We'll be sure to give you guys a clean entry. Wish you could come with, wingmate." she winked. "maybe next time we'll bust some skulls together."

Edited August 24, 2007 by Rogue

[Mara 29]

He found Artie in the hangar near his X-wing waiting with his friend Whiny.

"Hey, Artie." The little droid tootled a greeting before Kaden turned to the R2 unit. "Sorry, buddy, but Szen's regular droid has come in time so we won't be needing you."

He continued on before the droid got morose. "But... But you will be the first one we call if anything should happen to any of our astromechs. Okay?"

The red and blue R2 twittered in excitement. He would wait his turn. He and Artie had a brief conversation before he wheeled away to go back to his job elsewhere on the base.

Kaden turned to his silver and green droid. "Well, we're going on a trip..." And he began to explain what the mission would be all about to Artie.

[Drake 53]

Tak gave Jaim an annoyed glare. "Hey! Just remember who's leading you on the mission." He turned to Layla and with a big grin said, "Hey Legs, need some help with the body paint?"

[Rogue 4]

Layla offered him a grin. "As much as I would love having some help getting those hard to reach places, Lieutenant, don't you have to go get yourself ready?"

[Drake 53]

He laughed. "We have a couple hours to kill before we leave and I'm already mostly prepped as it is."

[Rogue 4]

She smirked. "Well, glad to see the Lieutenant's not too high and mighty now for a little flirtation. I'll see you back in my room then."

[Drake 53]

Tak smiled warmly. "I may have moved up in rank but I don't let it go to my head when it comes to my friends." He winked, "See you there, Flight Officer."

[Rogue 4]

She laughed lightly, returning the wink before heading back towards her room. She had a lot of things to get ready. She hoped that Jaim would be able to get them through customs without questions asked, otherwise with the weapons they were bound to be carrying they'd easily get flagged.

So Tak had been promoted. That was a surprise, but she was pleased for him. He deserved that promotion. If it wasn't for him they wouldn't have been able to take over that Interdictor. She doubted any of them would be alive right now if he hadn't been along.

And getting a little good news, a pat on the back, and congratulations every now and then never hurt anyone.

She smiled to herself. And given a command on his first day as a Lieutenant too...

[Mara 29]

Artie beeped a series at Kaden.

"No, Artie.. it'll be nothing like the last one."

Another series of trills.

"I know it won't be easy. But at least this time we know what to expect."

The droid consented with an electronic sigh.

"Okay. Now let's get this X-wing all checked out, okay?" Kaden was happy to put his focus on his fighter, away from the impending mission and sure to be impending danger as well. It was just him and his ship. And Artie.

[Drake 53]

As Tak was about to leave, Captain Tunon approached him.

"Lieutenant Beskar," he said.

Tak turned to face Aeric and said, "Yes, sir?"

"I have this datapad for you." He handed the device to Takeshi. "It contains information on your team's objectives, important coordinates, names, and anything else you may need to know. Read it over before we leave."

"Will do, sir. Thanks."

Tak left the meeting room, making his way to the cafeteria for a quick bite to eat. He scanned the contents of the datapad as he went, reviewing the objectives he and his team would have to complete. My team, he thought. I'm making my way back up again.

He got to the cafeteria and fixed himself a quick breakfast. He ate it and washed it down with a glass of stim juice. Tak never really favoured the taste of caf so he usually stuck with other energy drinks.

When he was done his meal, Takeshi made his way towards the crew quarters and Layla's room.

[Ayingel 24]

Szen smiled at Kaden.

"Thanks for going to all that trouble, even if it was for no reason."

She quickly turned and left to get ready and to see her new droid.

***

Walking into the hangar, she looked around for her X-wing. Szen smiled a little thinking about what had happened last night; she wasn't much of one for goofing around, but Szen had to admit, it was pretty funny. Then she saw it, the new little astromech, next to a little older of one.

"Sorry Whiny, but it looks like my new droid is here."

As Whiny rolled off, she ran her fingers over the new astromech.

Green. R2-S5.

She smiled and examined him.

As Szen started to leave the hangar, she nearly ran straight into Kaden, who was talking to Artie.

"Hey! Sorry. So, does Artie have time to check out my droid before we leave?"

Edited August 24, 2007 by Ayingel

[Mara 29]

Kaden turned from his own X-wing to look over at Szen. He glanced at Artie before going back to her. "Sure. I think so. Artie?"

The little droid tootled.

He smiled. "Sounds like it."

[Vergere 1]

Having changed into something more appropriate than the dress uniform, and put on enough makeup and the like to pass for human and not Arkanian, Brier looked in the mirror for a moment before grabbing her bag of stuff that she brought with her and heads for the cafeteria, incredibly hungry after a long flight. She dropped her stuff off at a long table in the empty room, and went and grabbed a decent amount of food before sitting back down to eat, ravished.

Edited August 25, 2007 by Vergere

[Ayingel 24]

"Thanks Kaden."

Artie made a whirring sound.

"An thank you too Artie."

She walked out quickly, running a hand through her hair. She was about to turn into the crew quarters, but changed her mind and grabbed a bite to eat.

As Szen got to the cafeteria, she noticed Captain Brier in the line and quickly got in after her.

Edited August 24, 2007 by Ayingel

[Mara 29]

"No problem." He smiled again before turning back to his droid. "Okay, Artie. No funny business. Make sure you're thorough." Kaden rose his brow at Artie.

Artie came back with a snarky beep.

"Okay, no need to get smart with me." He glanced at his chrono. Plenty of time before 0700. "I think I'll fill up on some more breakfast. You get started."

The droid twittered at him and wheeled over to Szen's droid to give it the once over.

Kaden shook his head, smiling, as he headed from the hangar to other side of the base to the cafeteria. Once there, he piled up his tray again because he had only had a small serving a couple hours ago before the briefing. It might be a long trip and a long time before his next meal, so he stocked up. He filled up a couple glasses with some wuogo juice before looking for a place to sit.

Seeing the Intel officer, he headed that way, remembering he had some questions about the planet they were going to. She would know as well as Captain Tunon would.

He pulled out a chair at her table, balancing his tray with one hand. "Mind if I sit, Captain? I have some questions about Ithyari."

[Vergere 1]

She blinked and looked up in suprise, having somewhat zoned out while she was eating, thinking about various things. She smiled softly and motions to his chair. "Feel free." Her voice, much quieter now, held the same musical softness to it from earlier.

[Mara 29]

He sat down and ate a few bites quickly before speaking. The upcoming mission plus talking to the Intel officer had made him hungrier.

"Well," he took a swallow of his juice. "I know very little about this planet, and I was wondering if you have any information as to the native species or the species we may be encountering there?"

Edited August 24, 2007 by Mara

[Vergere 1]

A bite of something on her fork, it never made it's way to her mouth as she tilted her head and watched him basically inhale some food. It took her a moment to realize he'd finally taken a breath long enough to ask her a question.

An amused look crossed her features as she put her fork back down on her plate. She leaned back comfortably for a moment and furrowed her brow as she thought about everything dealing with the planet, crossing her arms over her chest. "There are some large flying mammals that are very similar in appearance to Mynocks, but have a completely different chemistry to them. They are, for the most part, creatures that will cause us little trouble, as they're vegetarians. There is a variety of wild dog that is on the planet that is fierce but often afraid of people - they tend to stay in places where the cities are fewer, reducing their chances of being around humans. THere are, of course, various rodentia that will be underfoot, but that is common to most planets and are deemed as mostly harmless, minus the fact that they might chew throw wires or such. Is that the type of stuff you're curious about, Flight Officer.... Staal?" She looked like she was trying to put faces with holos she's seen in the files, and wanted to make sure she's getting names right.

Edited August 24, 2007 by Vergere

[Mara 29]

He kept on eating while she was reciting all the animal species like it was from a data chip.

Kaden nodded, confirming his name. "Yes, but I was more interested in the more, uh... sentient beings that are there. More importantly, the main languages spoken onplanet."

Edited August 24, 2007 by Mara