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Post by Force_Flow on Jun 21, 2007 14:24:47 GMT -4
"We need to all stay together."
Nait closed the open window and drew over the curtains as quick as he could. Gathering his small bag of his and Naos' belongings, he nodded towards the door. "I don't care if I have to sleep on the floor," he said crisply. "Fi may be one of the tp bounty hunters, she's never had to protect anyone else before. Padme isn't the best blaster in the bunch."
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Post by hk47fan on Jun 21, 2007 14:31:36 GMT -4
Naos
I nodded, but also said "But even though we should protect her anyway because we know Vader would want her and she is important for this mission, we've got to remember we're the ones who Vader would want first. If he's sent some Imperial agents or what ever else he has up his sleeve after us, they would go for us first. Then if they managed to get through us, they'd take Padme but he wans the rest of us first. If it's bounty hunters after us because of that blasted hitlist, they wouldn't want Padme at all. I don't think it could be anyone inside the Palace...I feel no one that is currently here plans to turn on us. I would be suprised if they did, but we have to keep our guard up anyway."
I walked towards the door and opened it, and looked out into the hallway. Right now I felt this palace was safe, but I had to make sure. After seeing the hall was empty I walked out, and looked back for Nait. I began to head for Padme and Fi's quarters.....
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Post by Force_Flow on Jun 21, 2007 14:49:29 GMT -4
Nait was right behind Naos. He knocked on Padmé's door twice, then entered. He locked the door behind them. Padmé looked at them quizzedly, while Fi just raised an eyebrow. "Get lost somewhere?" Fi crossed her arms.
"We're staying here," Nait said, dumping their belongings next to Fi's bed.
"You're kidding."
"We sensed something."
"Good. You're getting somewhere, then."
"Fi, be serious." Nait looked out the window, saw nothing, and closed it, drawing the curtains over it to block out anybody's view. The Palace was big, and they were two stories up from the Throne Room, which was somewhere in the middle. No one could possibly see them unless they had binoculars. "Don't open the window."
"Why would I?" Fi said dryly. "It's not like I've been deprived of it or anything."
"I hope that's not hormones talking," Nait said.
"No..."
Part of Nait was glad he had finally gotten Fi to loosen up and joke for once. She got the sarcasm from him, probably. But the other part of him was annoyed. "We sleep in shifts. One person stays with the Senator at all times."
"Does that include the trips to the bathroom?" Padmé asked. "Nait, what's this all about?"
"Bounty hunters," he said crisply. "I can feel them. Padmé, you better hurry the hell up with the negotiations, because if we don't leave soon, things will get ugly."
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Post by Force_Flow on Jul 2, 2007 23:07:59 GMT -4
OOC: A Jaskia post! Yay!
--
Five days after Jaskia left the party
It was odd not having her bond with them any more. After she had severed it, she had been racked with pain, consumed by the whiplash that hit anyone who dared sever it. Now, though, Jaskia felt better. Almost whole again. Her head lay on the shiny metallic table, and looking out of the corner of her eye, she saw part of her reflection. The bright lights bouncing off of the table hurt her eyes, but she took it in without squinting. Next to her sat Olee Starstone, a friend from the past. And in front of them, Ni Yurik, their tactician.
“It was nice,” Olee mused, “that the pirates let us keep one of their flagships.”
“Never in my life had I dreamed I would associate with pirates,” Ni said. “I always thought they were vile, and cruel.”
“It’s their way of life,” Jaskia said, lifting her head up from the table of their new capital ship, the BlueFire. “Plus, Master Gallia and Ulu Ulix are on their side, now. They’ve got our loyalty, now, and we have theirs. They’ll come help us if we need it.”
“After all, you guys did defend Lok,” Olee pointed out. She put her hands on the table. “Right, so what’s our next move?” she asked nobody in particular.
“Depends, how many Jedi do we have?” Ni asked.
“Counting us…” Jaskia did the math. “Eight. Me, you, you, Roan Shryne, Kaima, Adi Gallia, the Bothan, and Ulu Ulix.”
“Then we have enough for what I have in mind,” Ni said. “Naboo is really adjusting to the Empire, but I think the Queen’s hiding something. I can feel sixteen very special disturbances in the Force.”
“You think the Queen’s sheltering Jedi?” Olee looked at Ni with narrowed eyes. “You can’t be serious.”
Ni nodded. “I am. I suggest you go get them, Jaskia. And whoever you want to take with you. If the Queen sees you, she’ll probably alert the other Jedi hiding there.”
“Could work,” said Jaskia, musing. “Alright, I want Olee with me, then. Olee, you object?”
“Nope,” Olee said, shaking her head. “Once we get you some civvies cloths, you’ll blend right in.”
Jaskia looked down at jeans and sweatshirt. “Yeah… I think those people there are fond of something called a ‘dress.’ Anyone know what that is?”
They all laughed.
One week before the crew reaches Naboo
Adi Gallia had helped her with her disguise before she had left. First, they had died Jaskia’s hair brown. Since it was long and layered, Adi had put it into a ponytail and made four short braids fall out of it. Then she instructed her on how to apply her makeup, and then they went shopping. Well, not really. They had managed to find an inexpensive outfit: a tight dark purple shirt and long, flared jeans. She wore her same old travel boots, and carried a brown purse.
Jaskia was now a normal teen just out of high school. Her false ID docs had supplied her with her new name, Riannah Cowlrey, and she was now of marrying age from the planet Coruscant. With her traveled Olee Starstone, Riannah’s sister Celina. She had her hair in a modern-day ponytail, and she wore the kind of outfit you would expect a sun-shiny teenager to wear, all in bright colors from her light pink shirt to her neon yellow headband.
It was a ghastly sight.
The ship, an old Mon Calamari family-ship, dropped them off at the guast landing platform. “Be good, dears!” Ni Yurik called, their “father.” “We’ll pick you up in three days from now! Make sure that you have your comm with you at all times, and don’t forget to check into your hotel. Oh, and—“
“We’ll be fine, dad!” Olee called, putting a slight emphasis on the word ‘dad.’ “Riannah, let’s hurry up. I want to see the palace!”
“You can see the palace from here, Celina,” Jaskia said sharply, doing a fine impersonation of a moody older sister. “Come on! We need to get to the stores before they close!”
“I hate shopping,” Olee whined. Jaskia took her arm anyway, and Olee did a great job of looking red-faced and angry as she stomped behind Jaskia. “Dad said we could do what I want to do, too!”
“Fine!” Jaskia snapped and they reached the guard’s station. “But after we get some new cloths!”
“Um, can I have your ID docs, ma’ams?” the guard asked them from his small security booth. “You’re required to check in to enter—“
“We know, we know,” Jaskia grumped. Taking out their ID docs out of her purse, she handed them to the guard. “Here.”
The guard took them without question. Jaskia held her breath, hoping it would work. The guard’s expression did not change, but she felt a slight change in his emotional state. “Ah, Riannah and Celina of Coruscant. I used to live there. Where are you staying?”
“I wanted to see the palace,” Celina muttered, crossing her arms.
“We’re staying close to there,” Jaskia said, blinking three times in quick succession. The guard blinked two times. “Is there any airspeeder we could rent?”
“Let’s step into my office for a moment, shall we?” he asked. “You can fill out the proper forms.” The guard’s name was Yin, Jaskia found out as he led them to his office just on the other side of the hanger. And he was part of the Queen’s secret security she had placed in the hanger to intercept Jedi who wished to stay in hiding on Naboo. The ID docs Jaskia had handed him were blank except for their names: Olee had the real ones. It was the code they used to communicate.
As they sat down at his office, he told them that, since the palace was closest, he could schedule a tour of the place. And, if they were lucky, they might see Queen Apailina, They did some more chit-chat after a while, revealing some more code words which suggested they needed to speak the the Queen immediately. Yin decided that, since he was free for the next hour, he could give them the tour himself, since he liked their ponytails. Jaskia could have sworn he was ogling her.
As they approached the Palace in Yin’s private airspeeder, Yin took an unexpected turn and they entered an empty street. Making a sharp right, they were met with rolling green hills. As Yin skillfully piloted over them, Olee pointed out the secret passagway. They entered an underground parking garage, and Yin took them directly up to the Throne Room.
Queen Apailina was stunning. The trio sank before her in reverence. “You may rise,” she said. As they did, Jaskia felt the Queen’s eyes bore into her own. “You are a Jedi,” she said bluntly. “An enemy of the Empire, but a friend to the Naboo. Welcome.”
“Your Majesty,” Jaskia said. “I have a proposition for you…”
Three days before the crew comes to Naboo
Jaskia stood in the center of the large room and looked at each Jedi. Some of them she knew, and some she didn’t. She knew one in particular. That one face. Master Craaan, Jedi Watchman of the Kashyyyk system. He had taken a particular dislike at her when they first met, and Jaskia found herself wondering how in the Nine Hells was he alive. But here he was, right in front of her, with his stern expression and piercing green eyes that made her feel like a six-year-old stealing a jar of cookies from the kitchen (which was actually how they met, really).
“So,” he sneered. “You want us to trust you, now, do you? My girl, there are many lethal flaws in your plan. How would you expect to create a Jedi army without the Emperor’s notice? Surely—“
“Every plan has flaws, Master Caaan,” Jaskia replied coolly. “I want the Emperor’s attention. I want him to know that we won’t be crushed.”
“And how do you plan to proceed?” Xain Carr asked her in a soft monotone. The female Zabrak’s facial tattoos twisted in agony. “You do not know the concequences.”
“I agree with Jaskia,” Kolr Tu’kata said. “What we need is an army. We should fight them toe-to-toe.”
“And bring the Jedi all in one spot for him to wipe us out?” Craaan thundered. “Have you not heard the story of the Sith Lord Nihilus?! He wiped out planets searching for Jedi. None survived!”
“Palpatine isn’t Nihilus,” Jaskia said. “He’s—“
“He’s a Sith.”
“So? At least he doesn’t feed on death.”
“My dear child,” Craaan said, shaking his head. “I am afraid that all this, this foolish plan, has been for nothing. It is better the be patient—“
“I’m done with patience!” Jaskia yelled. Everyone started in surprise. “Patience is what got us killed months ago! Patience is what made Palpatine Emperor! Patience… Patience is good sometimes, yeah, but not all the damn time! The Jedi were patient, and you see what they did?! They created a Galaxy where a baby Twi’lek is unfit to live, they have killed innocents while waiting for the Force-forsaken Chosen One brought back the Balance! Don’t you dare talk to me about patience, old man!”
“Enough,” Xian Carr said, sending soothing currents of the Force to both red-faced human. “I second Jaskia’s proposal. I will go with her and fight on her side.”
“Her side?” Craaan asked. “Her side?! How many sides are there in this war?!”
“Master,” Kolr Tu’kata stated, “There are different sides, and different agendas of many different people. You cannot judge one by their decisions.”
“He is right, Craaan,” Shaak Ti said in a soft voice. “And so is Jaskia. I will join her and her cause.”
Soon, nine out of the sixteen Jedi were crossing the room to stand behind their new leader. Craaan wasn’t among them. “You’ll just die,” he said. “Please, change your minds. It will only cause more death.”
“I think,” Jaskia said slowly, “that your way is the one causing more death. I respect you as a warrior. You are one of the best. But you’re a crazy old coot.” Craaan drew in a breath to insult her. “Don’t waist your time ridiculing me. I’m leaving now, and we’re going back up to the BlueFire.” She rummaged in her purse, and, right next to her lightsaber was a datachip. She handed it to Craaan. “Don’t lose it. If you need help, call us. Because no matter how much I don’t like you, I’ll come.”
“You’re wrong.”
Jaskia shook her head. “No, you are,” she whispered. “Best of luck, to all of you. May the For—be safe, everyone.”
As she left, Craaan shook his head in amazement.
Present day
Sitting in the conference table on the BlueFire, the eighteen assembled Jedi were all turned in one direction: Sheyala Handrie, or just Shey for short. She held a large datapad in her hands, and gently placed it on the table. Reaching behind her, she removed a small roll-out keyboard from her pack and connected it to the datapad. Then she pressed a small release on the ‘pad, and it separated into two parts: the screen, and the thing that held it up.
Shey was typing like mad, eyes set and determined as she broke into the Imperial Mainframe. Jaskia shook her head in amazement. “Almost better than Jaing…” she muttered.
“Done,” Shey said crisply. She leaned foreword a bit to read the writing that appeared on the screen. “Looks like we have a few Jedi on Coruscant, six in total, Jedi Knights, and captured as they were trying to assassinate the Emperor. The execution is thirteen standard days away. High security, but all I have to do is reset the backup sequence and---“
“How long should it take?” Shaak Ti interrupted.
“To hack in by myself? Three minutes tops.” Shey frowned. “It says a small ten-man detachment of the 501st has been ordered to guard them.”
“Vader’s fist…” Jaskia muttered.
Shey nodded. “Potentially problematic.”
“Do we by any chance have any field liters aboard here?” Xian Carr, the Zabrak that had stood up for Jaskia, asked. “We could carry them, true enough, but…”
“It’ll be easier that way,” Ni finished for her. She inclined her head in thanks. “But the problem is, we don’t have one. We’ll have to carry them the old-fashioned way. Who’s going in to get them, first of all?”
Jaskia frowned, calculating. “Shey, read out their injuries. See if they can walk.”
Shey paused for three full seconds so she could read on. “Two cannot walk, one has a few broken ribs, the other has had an allergic reaction to the dart they used on him, and he’s vomiting his own blood… he won’t survive. That narrows it down to five, two fight capable, one walking-capable, and two sitting ducks.”
Olee looked at Jaskia. “Your call,” she said.
Jaskia did the math. “Two of us should go, then. I know I am, and then… who wants to come?”
Almost everyone raised their hands, except for Shay, who was already going. “Then I choose Xian Carr to go with me… She’s the best here at blaster defense. And on second thought, let’s bring Master Shaak Ti, too, if you want, Master.”
“Of course,” Shaak Ti said, bowing low.
Everyone agreed. “So we have one hacker, one blaster-girl, one defender, and one attacker,” Ni said. “So what do the rest of us do?”
Jaskia leaned back in her chair, thinking. “Adi and Ni should wait outside. They’ll give the signal when we’re out. If we’re not out in an hour, leave. Even if we’re alive, got it?”
“We can find another transport,” Olee said, nodding.
“Why do I have a bad feeling about this?” Roan Shryne moaned.
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Post by hk47fan on Jul 11, 2007 11:34:48 GMT -4
SKIP TO MORNING
Naos stood in Padme and Fi's quarters. Pacing back and forth. He hadn't slept one second last night. A Jedi could go without days of sleep. He still had plenty of energy.
No hunters had shown up. But Naos could sense the danger was lurking. Whether it be in Theed, or even this palace itself.
He looked up from the floor when the others began to awaken.....
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Post by Force_Flow on Jul 11, 2007 11:43:51 GMT -4
Nait stood up. He had been in a Jedi Trance, asleep, but one corner of his mind completely active, searching for the danger he knew was there. He was aware Naos hasn't slept, and he guessed that was a good thing. They couldn't rely on his own rudimentary skills in the Force.
The boys both turned away when Fi and Padmé got dressed (this time, Padmé had changed into a lovely light blue shimmersilk gown that sparkled when she moved), but made no move to change themselves. The ladies both brushed the knots out of their hair, and Nait sat on the bed, crosslegged, eyes open and glassy as he concentrated on finding the source of the danger.
His concentration broke as a knock sounded from the door. It opened after three seconds, and Clat'Ha came in, and bowed. Another girl trailed behind her, dressed in a security guard's uniform. She smiled at them, and also bowed. "Your Excellancy," Clat'Ha introduced, "may I introduce my daughter, Darrina?"
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Post by hk47fan on Jul 11, 2007 12:57:57 GMT -4
Naos
I raised an eyebrow at the girl. Her....daughter? I didn't know Handmaiden's daughters could help with the security. But she looked very beautiful. Almost as beautiful as Scout. Almost. I thought and smiled to myself
I looked at Padme "Padme?" I said and motioned towards Clat'Ha and the girl
I actually hoped to get this Darrina.....she seemed my age. I needed more social activity now days. Even I, as stubborn as I was, had to admit that.
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Post by Force_Flow on Jul 11, 2007 13:16:39 GMT -4
Padme smiled and looked the girl over. She had red, bouncy curls that dropped halfway down her back. She wore a mischievous smile that reminded her of Anakin, but the hard look in her eye told a different story. She was athletically built, about the same height at Scout, and freckles dotted her face.
"You're beautiful," Padmé said.
"She is training to be one of Her Majesty's protectors," Clat'Ha said, placing a hand on Darrina's shoulder. "Since I have been assigned to you, Darrina will follow us. it is a part of her training. I hope you do not mind."
"Not at all," Padmé said warmly. She held out her hand. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, too, madame," Darrina said timidly, and shook Padmé's hand. "And you, too," she added to the boys and Fi.
"The Queen has called for you," Clat'Ha said. Nait moved to follow her out the door. "No, only her Excellency may come with me. We will bring your meals to your quarters, and the communications array is by the bed."
"But--" Nait started to say, but Darrina cut him off.
"She'll be back soon," she said. "Wait here."
"But--"
"Wait."
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Post by hk47fan on Jul 11, 2007 13:34:34 GMT -4
Naos
I looked at Clat'Ha and yelled as they all turned around "You don't understand! Bounty hunters are on the planet, looking for us!"
I could tell this had caught their attention, and Clat'Ha turned around. "Bounty hunters? Are you sure?" she asked me, staring straight into my eyes with a firm look
"I'm sure. Nait and I sensed them. We can't leave Padme incase they have skills and can break through your security." I told her "All three of us can use the Force, you're guards can't. Nait and I are Jedi. It wouldn't be a good tacti-" I said but she interrupted me right in the middle of my sentence, and I knew I hadn't convinced her
"She is in more danger with you three with her, I'm afraid. And this puts the Queen and Naboo in danger as well. Bounty hunters would report to Vader. Her Excellency is not on Vader's hitlist, therefore hunters do not go to hunt her as well. Again, wait here." Clat'Ha said
I sighed, knowing it was useless. Clat'Ha turned back and her and Darrina led Padme out of the room, and soon they were all out of sight.
I looked to Fi and Nait, then sighed.
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Post by Force_Flow on Jul 11, 2007 14:08:03 GMT -4
Padme, flanked by both Clat’Ha and Darrina, entered the Throne Room. Apailina stood be the window, her back to them. Her mane of dark brown hair fell to her heels and kept out of her face by a simple headband girls around the Galaxy wore so they looked more attractive. Padmé stared at Apailina for a long time before she finally turned towards her. “You do not need to bow,” she said. This time, it was in her real voice, not disguised by the fake accent Padme was used to hearing. “After all, you used to be a Queen just as I.” There was a long silence between them. “What did it make you feel like?” Apailina asked. “When your people bowed down to you? When you were expected to tend to their every needs?”
Padme joined Apailina at the window, and together they looked out at the city of Theed. “It felt like I was being cornered,” Padmé admitted. “I had too many responsibilities, but… I think I was trying to make the best of it at the time.”
“You ruled for two terms,” Apailina said. “You do not know this, but your name is treasured here. For years, I’ve been wondering how I would live up to the great Padmé Amidala, who gave our planet seven years of peace. The one person who would take action against the Trade Federation, the one person who would risk her life for her planet.” Apailina turned to her. “How did you do it?”
“I followed my heart,” Padmé said. “I think that’s what counts.”
“We were all grief-stricken when we heard about your death. Our moral has gone very low, nowadays.”
“Well I’m back now.”
“But only the ones in this palace know.” Apailina turned back to the city. “I have thought about what you said yesterday. And the young boy wanted me to stand up for myself.” She laughed softly. “I suppose he thinks I won this title in a barroom brawl.”
Padmé refused to laugh at Nait, so she stared impassively out at Theed.
“Your friend came four days ago,” Apailina said. “She took half of the Jedi staying here. She’s building an army.”
“Jaskia?” Padmé asked.
Apailina nodded. “Master Craaan has stayed, along with half of what I started out with. Your friend has taken the other half.” Apailina smiled. “She and Olee Starstone were quite the team. Why has she left yours?”
Padmé frowned. “I… don’t know,” she said honestly. “She just… left.”
“I’ve taken these odds into consideration,” Apailina announced. “And I have a feeling that I won’t last another two weeks if I do this, but…” She closed her eyes and looked down. “I have decided to join the Rebel Alliance. All my funds, all my ships, my yacht, and my luck will pass on to you after my death.”
“How do you know you’re going to die?” Padmé asked.
“The Imperials are coming,” Apailina said, looking Padmé straight in the eye. “Your friend, your Jaskia, has killed me by coming here. Her face is now on every Wanted poster in the Galaxy after she rescued rogue Jedi from a high-security center on Coruscant. It didn’t take long to figure out where she was before. Intelligence reports suggest a small fleet coming our way. They’ll be here in two days.”
And, to Padme’s surprise, Apailina sunk to her knees, bowing down to Padmé. Darrina and Clat’Ha followed. Padmé swallowed as Apailina looked back up. “I entrust the rule of this planet to you. Tell me what to do.”
“First, stand up,” Padmé said, which Apailina did. Padmé put both hands on her shoulders. “I know you’re afraid to die, Your Highness, but have hope. Get your transport ready. Leave Naboo.”
Apailina shook her head. “I can’t,” she said. “I need to protect them. I need to protect my people.”
Padmé smiled softly. “Good, Your Highness,” she said. “You are learning. Now, what is the first step?”
Apailina frowned. “We need to order the people to stay inside their homes all over the planet,” she said. “Tell them that the Queen has committed treason and is sheltering Jedi. The Imperials will be coming to kill her.”
“You want them to distrust the Imperials?” Padmé asked.
Apailina nodded. “I will make a call to every home now via transmitter,” she said.
A security guard came into the Throne Room and saluted. “Your Highness,” he said, “the Imperial fleet ETA estimated at one day.”
Apailina grimaced. “Tell the Jedi. Thank you, officer.” She turned to look at Darrina and Clat’Ha. “Will you please bring the rest of their group here?”
“Yes, M’Lady,” Darrina said. She turned on her heel, and left.
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