freedomliveson

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

Not done yet!

Edit: This is the ship Ethan is describing/their ship (for now anyway xD)

My Hider

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

While Kytra had the bravery to speak, Ethan remained silent and stoic for the most part. Yerbol thought he could see a trace of relief flash across his new apprentice's face when they were dismissed to gather their belongings, but then again the boy's face was hard to read. The Champion resolved within himself to at least try to drum up a conversation and gather some notion of who he was supposed to develop for the foreseeable future. When his wife voiced her thoughts on their recent appointment, all he could do was chuckle half-heartedly, giving her right hand a gentle squeeze with his left as he told her:
"No, it's weird. We normally are the ones taking the orders and flitting across the galaxy with little to no supervision. I mean, yeah we were in the classroom for a while, but we only saw those kids for what, an hour at a time three times a week? And even then we were pulled out for missions 'critical to the saving of the galaxy'. I suppose sooner or later, though, we would need to take on these roles. Although..." He folded his arms across his chest, leaning against the wall to their right before continuing:
"Why do you think others haven't just been 'appointed' to the role of Champion? Surely the former Masters, Inquisitors, Warriors and other high ranking Force users would be more than qualified to make the jump to the rank of Champion. Of course, they didn't thwart three galaxy wide threats, but if that's going to be the criteria for getting to Champion, then there won't be very many other than us." He nodded at her suggestion about finding the hounds, walking alongside as he mused one final time:
"I wonder how many others the Council will deem worthy...and how many we'll have to train."

______

The hounds spooked Kytra, but all they gleaned from Ethan was(once again) a stiff glance before he cast his eyes on the ship that stood about fifty yards away. It was then that he chose to speak for the first time in their company apart from the Elders, a deep bass voice echoing off the durasteel walls:
"That's a beautiful ride." As if on cue, the hounds barked in alert, eyes cast towards the hangar bay doors that were sliding open. A lone figure sauntered towards them, the lighting in the hangar obstructed by the ship which in turn didn't allow them to see who the pilot was. This didn't stop Ethan from proclaiming:
"If this is your bird, hats off to you. A Commodore X-80 is top of the line."
"Maybe if you're lucky, I'll let you sit in the co-pilot's chair." Her voice alone prompted a small blush from Ethan, who looked down at the ground before a familiar red-head emerged from the shadow of the Commodore with a tight-lipped smirk across her face.
"I knew it!"She chuckled, walking to the party before planting a hand on Yerbol's cheek.
"I missed you too." The duo embraced for a brief moment before she turned to Aria and mirrored the gesture, muttering into the Champion's ear:
"Both of you." She released partially from the embrace, looking into Aria's eyes as she added:
"We can talk later, yeah? Matt was insistent we get off world as soon as possible." Her lips parted for a moment, but after a shake of the head and releasing fully from the embrace, she looked over both Kytra and Ethan for a moment, eyes narrowing briefly as she spoke:
"I'm Netanya Orso or Neta for short. These two...well, four including the dogs, are familiar with how I operate, but you two aren't, so here's what I expect when you set foot on my ship: you do what I ask you to do no matter how crazy or stupid it seems, you don't EVER sit in my chair and DON'T hit the escape pod button. Simple enough?" Ethan cleared his throat before asking quietly:
"Will you actually need a co-pilot?" She looked to Ethan with a half-smile.
"Show me you know your stuff and we'll see about how much you can help. Starting...now. My dear Champions don't know much about ships, so what can you tell them about the Commodore X-80 that they would need to know?"
"Right, right..." His face was turning crimson red, which seemed even deeper thanks to the reddish tint that the lighting of the hangar was bringing out. Thankfully his perceived anxiety didn't paralyze him from fulfilling Neta's request:
"The Commodore is one of the first privately produced slipspace military vehicles, originated by Corellia SpaceWorks during the last war between Empire and Republic. It has two hyperdrives supported by slipspace capacitors, located there-" He pointed at the four square shaped protrusions from the ship's elongated body.
"It has a durasteel and carbon outer shell with shield generators embedded all across the hull. Interiors can be customized as much as possible, so not much is out there on standard options." Neta nodded in approval, looking to the Champions with a smile.
"Boy is smart. Keep him around."
"I do know there are turrets normally embed-"
"I think we're good on the info session today, kiddo." She shot the now almost purple faced Ethan a teasing smile that prompted the apprentice to look sideways at his new partner, mumbling something along the lines of: "Well she asked so I answered."

Neta lowered the rear loading ramp that extended from the hull of the ship just underneath the engines that Ethan pointed out by tapping her index and middle fingertips together, prompting Yerbol to cock a brow in surprise.
"Not only is the ship much more spacious than ours(no offense to the old girl), but you can control it with just your fingertips?"
"Biometric feedback controls are all the rage in Alliance special operations. I'll spare you the details, but this stuff would have come in handy when I was in the field." As they went up the ramp, the Champion asked:
"Odd to see you back in the field again. Thought you wanted to settle down?" She was silent for a moment, a sigh then escaping her lips as she responded:
"Just couldn't stay out of it. Especially not when the newly appointed General Onsu who just so happened to be your former commanding officer makes you a financial offer that'll make sure your kids will be taken care of long after you're gone." Once they reached the top of the ramp, Yerbol was about to ask about the pair, but instead chose to comment on the gleaming finishing coat that the fortified interior ship walls had:
"To think that the Alliance would splurge on a ship like this."
"Not a splurge; more like a trial run. Onsu got word of how we used slipspace to get out to this sector of Wildspace way back when Bracknell was trying to commit genocide and was ticked that Garza didn't follow up on trying to use it for more official business. Of course, after her resignation when Bracknell was deposed and Onsu took over as acting General, he did what he could to hire out companies and...crap this is boring. Let's just say that the Alliance has been up to a lot in the past couple of years, this being one of the results." She SAID this was boring, but the gleam in her eye and the quick strides that led them up a set of stairs to the upper portion of the ship screamed the very opposite.
"And I'd say that this particular result is pretty stinkin awesome." Indeed it was stinkin awesome, seeing as the upper portion of the ship consisted of the same luminescent styled interior below except for the wide hallways that broke off at several junctures, Neta taking them through the crew quarters, a meeting room, a miniature mess hall and a combat "informational center" that stood near the very front of the ship just before getting to the captain's quarters and cockpit respectively(Neta informed them of how stupid it was to have the captain quarters so close to the cockpit, seeing as a stealth fighter would want to target the captain first to disorganize the crew before mounting a full on assault).
"No one is assigned to any particular bunk, so you all go off and choose your own place to lay your head. I'll get us up and into hyperspace. Should take at least a day before we reach the Malachor system, so you'll have time to settle in. I'll call us all together on our final approach to discuss details. Dismissed." The last word was uttered with a wide smile as she turned on her heel and strode towards the cockpit, a metal door sliding shut to obstruct any potential visitors(Ethan) from peering in.
"Right then. Aria and I will find our quarters before maybe sharing a meal with you two?"
"I haven't eaten anything since breakfast...and that was an hour ago."
"What did you eat to be this hungry already?"
"What I always do: three eggs, three pieces of toast and half a bantha steak." Yerbol's face contorted in feigned(somewhat) disgust.
"Who on earth is feeding you people bantha steak in the dining hall? We've never gotten that!"
"I uh...I have some shipped from home along with some money to make sure...the...cooks...give them..to me.." Ehthan cleared his throat before promptly leaving the conversation, prompting Yerbol to shout after him:
"I want in on this illicit smuggling ring!" He looked down at his wife, shaking his head.
"Kids these days. Bribing cooks. The nerve."

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

And that we did not xD. Owning a house is this never ending litany of "oh crap, we need to replace THAT?!" But we did get some stuff done. Appreciate the well wishes! We'll need em, my friend xD

Anyway, ok to get us to Malachor? I'll leave some room in my post for the apprentices/new masters to talk.

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

My wife and I have been doing a bunch of stuff around the house and it won't end any time this week. Will get you a post on Monday.

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

Ha, if I were Kytra, I'd be scared of the hounds too XD

I'll get you a post on Monday! Headed out of the office early today.

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

Ok, so I finished early. Wanted to give you a chance to have Ari react to Malu's story before they go down to the hangar.

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

When the Selonian entered the room, Yerbol suppressed the urge to gawk, eyes trained ahead at the horizon visible through the one way reflective glass pane that served as a floor to ceiling window(in fact, the entire half-moon shaped exterior of the room featured the same kind of decor). He knew of Selonians, had read about them in a few codex entries on galactic species way back in his initial training on Tython, but to see one in person was disarming and slightly jarring if he was being honest. While fully sentient and renown for their intelligence, Yerbol still couldn't get over how much they looked like...well, ferrets. Not that he would voice this opinion aloud EVER nor share this observation with his wife who might object to her husband comparing her brand new apprentice to a household pet. Kytra's demeanor, however, pushed some of the Champion's juvenile thoughts aside. She radiated a solemn humility, a quality that he hoped would actualize into her permanent set of behaviors; if so, she would be a valuable asset. He wished he could read his apprentice as easily as he gleaned an impression from Kytra, but Ethan was proving to be difficult to gauge. To be fair, the young man had just taken a massive step in his life and might be processing all that was going on. Yerbol would pick his brain later. For now, though, the Elders had a mission for them that tied directly back to the vision they shared on Voss. The Champion stayed silent as he listened to the initial exchange between the Elders and Aria, doing all he could to not snicker at the comment Aria made about their status as the Qyaari's enforcers across the galaxy. Any thought of humor went out the window when Malu began to string together a chain of thought that would eventually end in an undesirable conclusion:
"Those clues are sparse, but I knew of one who was rumored to work with the Exile. She was..." In a rare show of anxiety, Malu's shoulders shuddered, the cloth around Malu's eyes nearly dislodging at the force of the vibration. Almost all the Elders sat up, Matthew nearly jumping to his feet as he asked:
"Malu, are you-"
"Fine, Matthew...fine. Her imprint on me even through studying is still strong. Far too strong for my liking." After adjusting the cloth to fit more snugly, she cleared her throat and continued:
"Darth Traya was a powerful force, one that I had the unpleasant experience of studying about while under the tutelage of my Master, who said that I should be familiar with those who have influenced the Sith. Traya was extremely powerful, but always attempting to undermine those she felt were inferior to her despite rank(a common enough trait among the Sith, but she was vicious). A report I managed to steal from Imperial intelligence sheds light on what we're discussing now. A certain party of Imperial scouts and Sith Acolytes were deployed to an ancient Sith burial site on Duxun. They were sent there to recover relics that were reportedly found by a Sith Lord and her followers, but when they arrived the Lord and acolytes were murdered, Traya and a 'broken man beyond any sort of healing' standing in the midst of the carnage. They dispatched of the party, although they spared the scouts. A curious decision." She shook her head, attempting to reconfigure her approach before continuing:
"At that burial site, there were old tomes and ancient recordings that talked about two academies located on the very fringes of space that housed even more teachings of the Sith. No doubt with what we know now, these academies were more than likely established by those Sith who escaped the carnage their more 'balanced' forefathers heaped upon them. With no way to identify where those academies were, they were forced to return the relics to Korriban. After scavenging a bit in the archives on Korriban(again in a section that I should not have been in), the rest of this convoluted tale emerges. It was only a few years later when news of her death reached our ears, reported by a wookie named Hanharr who came to the Sith academy proclaiming not only her death, but a reward for his report. Naturally he was tortured and confessed that he had stalked a woman named Meetra Surik(who we now know as the Exile, although this is a misnomer which I can address later) to Malachor five, which was where Traya's resting place was. As to how the Wookie got to Korriban, he swore that he used a salvaged shuttle to get off planet, which was difficult to believe thanks to the unstable atmosphere, but scouts were sent to Malachor anyhow to determine if Hanharr was telling the truth. No one ever heard back from them nor subsequent scouting parties. I personally inquired as to the status of these parties as I rose through the ranks of the Order only to be blunted by irritated Inquisitors who said I shouldn't be asking about such 'romanticized tales' or Imperial security claiming I didn't have the 'proper clearance'. Eventually I had to give up entirely on my pursuit...and you will have to pick up where I left off."
"So...you're sending us to Malachor five?"
"Indeed we are." Matthew quickly followed up on Malu's response:
"Covertly, might we add. The entire Malachor sector of the Outer Rim is off limits to almost anyone."
"Can't you just ask Chancellor Saresh for permission?" A few groans from the Elders were accompanied with Matt telling the party:
"She handed off responsibility of negotiating Outer Rim territory issues to Vice Chancellor Won, who has made it very clear that no one is to go the Malachor sector of the Outer rim due to instability."
"What does that mean?" The Elder shook his head.
"No clue. But that won't stop us. If Saresh finds out, we'll explain ourselves then. This matter is too important for us to neglect."
"Right then, so we head to Malachor and find out if there's any hint of where the Exile went. I would be content with leaving now except that, as Malu pointed out, Malachor's atmosphere is too hostile for ships to enter."
"We talked about that and we have an expert in navigating difficult planetary conditions who will be joining you. She'll be waiting for you in the hangar along with a bit of a larger vessel to accommodate for the increased passenger load...and your hounds, which I assume you'll be bringing." A smirk creased Matt's features as he allowed any of the other Elders to speak parting words before he closed the meeting:
"We trust she'll get you on and off the planet safely. Report in as much as possible, especially if you need to travel any deeper into Wild Space. May the Force be with all of you."

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

Our expanded party sounds like a really bad joke that starts something like:

"A red head, a ferret and a married couple walk into a bar..."

Don't know what the punchline would be, but I feel like that starter doesn't need one xD

Anyway, I'll be working on the post later this afternoon and probably get you the finished product tomorrow. I'll probably post whatever I finish today and then let you know when it's finished :)

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

Oh yeah! Totally forgot about the Selonian...to be honest, I totally forgot about SWTOR until you just mentioned it xD. Sad to see how the game has sort of plunged into obscurity. Always hoping for KOTOR 3 someday...someday xD

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

Out there? I've got to see this xD