OOC Thread

Commander Dalton paced the flight deck of current base of operations for the Sigma Group. The name was chosen by Commander Dalton to represent the sum of effort by the whole Mission Group.

Turning to face Daylin and Rand he asks, Where are your new teammates? more to himself than either of you. He continues, Well we'll give them a little more time and then I'll have to start the briefing and you'll have to catch them up on what they missed.

Rand stands in a loose interpretation of at ease. He's never exactly cared how much Dalton twitched at his casual lack of military discipline. He grins at Daylin and theatrically looks at his watch. If they're not here soon, I'm going to start looking disciplined. He shakes his head in muck disgust at the idea.

Standing in his common brown robes over khaki breaches and shirt with a black vest (certainly not anything anyone would associate with the jedi) Daylin waits patiently, ands behind his back in a proper At Ease stance. Standing for long periods has been the least of his hardships over the years, and reasons that he might as well ive young Rand a proper example, even if he is putting on a false front, making the boy think that he's "proper".

Daylin waits patiently, either for the new team members, or the Commander's patience to give out first.

All right, that's enough waiting. You'll have to fill them in on the way. You will head out to Fondor and investigate what the shipyard is presently building for the Empire. Alliance Intel informs me that the yard is currently open to civilians who are interested in purchasing a custom ship. You are to find out what targets are available and how to hit them. If there is a clear danger that can be removed, do so. Otherwise, report back here. Any questions?

His appearance indicates that there shouldn't be any.

What time frame are we looking at and what assets are available to us... Sir?

The Commander responds, You have two standard weeks to perform the recon. You have access to Theta Class Shuttle we retrofitted with better sensors and slightly better shields. Standard armament is available. What else do you think that you might need.

Well... a slicer... but might as well wish for the Jedi to return while we're waiting for one to pop out of no where. Do we have worthy false identification though?

AI tells me they have cooked up a decent background story with enough information that it will pass a routine datasearch. No promises on an extended in depth search though.

Then we'll keep our heads down. Something young Rand and I are experienced in certainly. We'll see what we can do about rounding up the rest of our team then, and be on our way immediately. Unless you had anything else Rand?

Rand grins, Any sort of sensors I can use from my swoop would be good. Any idea what command wants us to do with whatever's being built?, Rand failing attempt at an innocent grin brings memories to the fore of Dalton and Daylin's minds of Rand's tendancy to upgrade his choice of vehicles via larceny.

For a split second, the Commander almost smiles. He answers, I think that your swoop is nice enough on it's own. Under his breath he adds, I've lost enough betting against you.

The smile that almost was is quickly replaced by his normal formality. If it is a weapon that you can steal, by all means. Just don't say that I didn't warn you about signing your own death warrant. Baring that, blow it up.

Care to bet that the Imperials are going to be more forgiving over a blowin up than theft sir?

A genuine smile crosses his face. Son, the day you signed on with the Rebellion you signed your own death warrant. So, do what you think is best. His face hardens a bit and he continues, Just don't get captured and make me move my flight base.

Besides, we're not looking to make the Empire forgiving. We're looking to hurt them any ay we can.

I think we're set then Sir, seeing as I'm not getting any younger, and Rand isn't getting any more mature...

Daylin waits to be dismissed.

Very well then. Dis - Missed!

Jannel breezes in just as the Commander finishes dismissing the others. The young nobleman shrugs and falls into step beside the swoop racer. Despite his slouch and obvious carelessnes the noble bearing shines through. The medium length dark hair and classic profile were already turning heads among the female techs.

So what are we rebeling against today?

He didn't care about the Rebels. The chance to get back at the Empire for destroying his family's name and fortune was more than enough motivation for him.

Daylin's crabby old gezzer attitude mostly, other than that what you got?

Im late! Im late! Im late! Im late!

The door opens and inn stumbles Jeryk. The young, eager-to-please Jedi in training catches his balance and immediatley stands at attention.

S..Sir! I apologize for my tardiness. I was fixing up a droid for..... And I lost track of time and....I apologize sir.

The Commander stares at Jeryk for a second on his way out the door. You are new to the Special Operations Group so I will cut you some slack this time, son. Please don't let it happen again. Introduce yourself to your new teammates. With that he is gone.

After the Commander leaves, Jeryk breathes a sigh of relief. He stands at 5'9'' and short dark brown hair, wearing white robes, obviously worn with age a bit, with a brown shirt and lighter brown pants. After a moment of collecting himself, he looks up and smiles. Holding out his hand.

Hello. I'm Jeryk. Once again, pardon my tardiness, it usually doesn't happen.

I'm Rand, good to have you aboard. Oh and tardy is only turning up after the first big fire fight we get into on a caper.

Whew...Im glad they're not angry.

So, if I may ask? What did I miss?

Nothing to big. We're being sent to whack the Emperor. Should be a walk in the park. Rands grins brightly.

Jeryks eyes go wide.

By "whack" you mean kill?

No, he means dress up in a pretty pink dress. Jannel rolls his eyes at the kid.

Yes, whack usually means kill. No sweat. Give me enough power packs and I can grease stormies and Imps till the end of the galaxy.

Jeryk shoots a stare at Jannel

Wow, that fantasy world you live in seems nice, I must try it sometime. Do you think we can just walk in, blow something up and just "whack" the emperor? And even if we did, how do you suppose we get away with it?

*Sigh*
If you've all had enough of comparing the size of your ... blaster packs, I suggest we get to quarters and prepare ourselves.

Kids these days ...

The rest of the time passes quickly. After getting the gear that they requisitioned, they are prepared to go.

Alright, does anyone among us actually have a pilot's license?

Daylin shoulders his ruck sack as he looks at their new home and HQ, the so far anonymous transport that will bring them into the proverbial lion's den.

Rand shakes his head and strides past Daylin up the boarding ramp. Looks like he's after the best quarters again.

Cant say I do, not much time for that the last few years.

Jeryks looks as if he's almost ashamed.

Please tell me that I am not the only person who can drive this thing.

Jannel glances at the team.

Oh for the love of..........

He rounds the corner and tosses his duffel in the second largest cabin.

Fine, let's move.

The nobleman sits down and engages the sublight drive. So where are we heading?

Jeryk boards the ship and straps in.

Aparently to "whack" the emperor.
Jeryk glances at Jannel

Newbies, they should test them for the gullibles. Ah well we can set them straight once we're out of the atmosphere. Mostly I'm glad to be on the move and actually going to do something.

Rand streches out on his bunk in the smallest cabin.

Right. Coruscant it is then.

Jannel punches in the coordinates and after the ship clears atmosphere prepares the hyperdrive.

Last chance to talk to any girlfriends or sweeties.

As the ship clears the docking bay Rand stands up and wanders into the cockpit. He glances at the hyperdrive.

Is that Coruscant? We're not going to Coruscant, but full marks on eargerness. Hey Daylin, what are the co-ordinates?

Daylin shakes his head slowly, lamenting the course and hopes of the Rebellion if they're hinging operations on this crew.
The Tapani Sector is coreward, in the Territories. Tallaan is in the Free Worlds Region of the sector. That's where the ship yards is, and of course, thats also the center of Imperial strength in the Free Worlds. The Shapani is a main trade route through the sector, connecting Thyferra to the Core. It's the main route for running bacta. So just set a course for the run, probably starting at Thyferra. The coordinates should be in the NavComp.

I'm going to go do some final checks on the engine and hyperdrives if you gunar heads were the last ones looking at them.

With another slow shake of his head, Daylin shuffles towards the engine room.

Jeryk sits up in his seat.

Perhaps I can join you sir? Id like to know a bit more about this ship if hes flying it.

Jeryks gives a nod to Jannell.

Daylin regards him for a moment, seeming to regard him a bit more than necessary for a simple 'yes/no' question. Finally he nods his head, indicating for the younger man to follow.

As they walk down the corridor of the ship towards the engine, Daylin looks side long at him. Tell me about yourself young man. You don't seem quite the same as most of the usuals that come to the Rebellion. You don't seem desperate enough.

Jeryk considers this for moment.

My name is Jeryk as I stated in the briefing room. True, I didnt join the rebellion because I was desprate. I had a choice. I just had nothing else to lose. Im sure you understand?

Yes, I know something about that. I suppose, if you have nothing to lose, what are you looking to gain? What are you fighting for? Or more appropriatly, why are you fighting?

For my former master. He was slain unjustly by bounty hunters for being a Jedi. I swore to avenge him. Doing so without joining the rebellion seemed pointless.

Daylin stops in the hall, lookign the young man long in the eyes again.
Think long on the first steps you take. It's harder to turn back down a path once you've taken the wrong one. Vengence is not the Jedi way. If that's what you seek, you might as well step off this ship now. Justice, perhaps, can be a cause worth fighting for. But vengence... never.

What are the odds..?

You remind me of him. But Im not sure you can even consider me a Jedi. I was never properly trained. Only a few tricks of the trade. Being on the run so much left little time to train. Though he was adiment in insuring I understand the Jedi way. Nothing seemed more important then my understanding of our kind. I never understood why. I just listened and learned as much I could.

Then that's a good frst step. Most people mistake the powers of the Jedi as being what makes them important. I spent enough time with Jedi in my youth to know that it isn't what you can do that matters, it's what you do. It was the traditions, the way of the Jedi that made them what they were. There've been countless groups and cults that followed different paths to the Force, or any other name it went by. Only the Jedi Order endured for thousands of years. Think on that son, before you think about "tricks of the trade". Mind tricks are just that. Tricks. In the end, it wasn't the abilities of the Jedi or the Sith that brought down the order and made the galaxy the mess it is today. It was philosophy.

Apparently finished with his little speech, Daylin leads the way into the back, doing some last minute adjustments on the hyperdrive.

Pass me that hydrospanner, would you?...

Looks for a random part that may match the name.

Umm....here you are..?

Despite the previously serious conversation, Daylin grins, puts down the screw driver, and picks up the hydrospanner. He holds it up, still smiling.

Hydrospanner. No problem, we all gotta start somewhere kid.

Daylin finishes up the engine check, going through the full routine, showing Jaryk each step of the process and explaining it where he has questions.

You never know it's done for sure, unless you do it yourself. Something like the hyperdrive, you don't want to take chances. It takes a while, but you'll find in life, if you live through enough of it that is, that taking the time and being patient to look at every angle, will get you where you need to go better and faster than rushing in without looking.

Goes for everything really, not just ships. Most times, dealing with other people, rmeember to consider their point of view, how they see things. Nothing is absolute. Even the Empire is right and just from a certain point of view. Folks on Coruscant and the Core Worlds, they don't understand the Rebellion. They think we're all a bunch of terrorists, out to spread anarchy and discord. They never see the brutal oppression methods the Empire uses on the Rim worlds. All they know is that the Republic grew corrupt, there were wars, and the Empire stepped in. Now they have "Order", and that's enough for them. Some people will give everything for a little security.

It takes a lot of courage for someone to quit their job and leave a nice, comfy home on a Core world where everything is allright for them, to come out and fight for people you've never seen or heard of, especially when it's based off of rumors and going against Imperial propoganda. Lots easier where you've been on the Rim, see the cleansed planets, and the oppression of a sector fleet wiping out an entire city to "pacify" the rest of the world. Most crewman in the Imperial Navy never see that sort of thing when they sign up. Not until they're on the Star Destroyer, seeing it living up to it's name, do they really start to see what might really be going on. And by then, they think it's too late, and they justify to themselves why it had to be done Order had to be maintained, for the greater good. Remember that. You'll hear a lot of talk about the needs of Order and "greater good" from an Imperial. You'll hear the same words from a Jedi.

Guess what I'm trying tosay is, don't just look at the end results of what you're doing. Look at how you do it. The Means are sometimesmore important than the Ends. Always question what you do, and why you do it. Question your self more than any other.

Now I know I'm just some rambling old man you just met, shownig you engines and going on like some 'mentor'. But I ain't. I can see that gleam in your eye son, hear it in your voice. You know that word. "Jedi". You want to know what that means, what it feels like. You want to be a Jedi, then you never will be. Can't be until you don't want it. You just are, or you aren't. Me, I ain't. I fought in the CLone Wars, fought along side a lot of 'em. Saw a lot of 'em die. Most of them padawans, eager young ones like you, like I was then. Don't misunderstand me, there's nothing wrong with being a Jedi. It's a noble cause. But it's like I said before. Sometimes the Means is more important than the End. If your serious about what you were talking about before, my advice to you is this: Be more concerned about doing what a Jedi should do, about living up to the idea of the Jedi, than being a Jedi. Being a Jedi never saved anyone's life. Acting like one has.

Apparently worn out from his long winded speech, Daylin leans over a bit, keying the comm to the cockpit.

Engine room to cockpit, we're all set here. I'm hittin' my bunk if ya' need me.

He nods to Jaryk as he slowly walks out.

Jeryk stands for a moment. Completely bewildered and confused about the speech.

What could he have meant? I do want to be a Jedi, and thought I understood.....Perhaps there is more to learn.

Jeryk Returns to his bunk.

Clone wars...I wonder. Could it have possibly been is bad as he claims? What am I thinking? Ofcourse it was. Its how this whole mess started. Wiping out the Jedi, and such. Makes me sick to think about it.

Jeryk turns towards a window and looks outside.

I will become a great Jedi some day. I promise Master.

Fine by me.

Jannell replots the ships course.

Kid you wanna see how this thing works or not? Pay attention. What we have here is a basic personal shuttle. This here's the atmospheric control rig.

Jannel pats the pilots yoke.

I'll disable the copilot controls and you can play with them fer awhile. Word to the wise kiddo. Don't touch the hyperspace controls. That's these right here.

The bored nobleman gestures to the complex of lights and circuits in front of him.

You got any flight time or are we teaching you from the ground up?