Gaining an Ally

[Astra de Aurora]

The transport got out of hyperspace around the time Snake woke up. She stretched herself on the two seats she had been lying on to catch up on the lack of sleep she had been receiving. Things had been hectic lately, with the Jedi pulling themselves into shape once more and she felt as if she and the rest of the Jedi have been stretched out thinly. War was coming soon; she could practically feel it all around her. It was time to make allies with not just the Republic, but other species as well.

She and two other Jedi she was with were to meet with a Wookiee leaders of one of the tribes. His name was... She consulted her datatbad for a moment.

Thraibacca.

Yes, Thraibacca. She must remember this name of the Chieftan. The goal was to ask him to help assemble a committee and persuade him to ally himself with the Jedi. With the Republic. On tired legs, Snake stood and walked over to a nearby window in time to see the famous trees of Kashyyyk fly by. They would land soon.

 

[Rev]

Avare' meditated in his chambers on the transport. He had chosen to give Grand Master Snake and the other Jedi a peace, he was often the outsider in a group. He was going to what he would call home there, last year of his life had been spent on the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk. During that time he spent much of it learning Shyriwook and the rest of the time assisting his Wookiee friends. If there were any hope in an alliance with the Wookiees Avare' could prove a key to it.

Standing from his kneeling meditation he looked around slowly. Somewhere along the line they had jumped from hyperspace, he would have to go to the Grand Master's quarters and see what the mission was exactly. He had only been asked along, but wasn't given any details. Grabbing his cloak he threw it over his body and slipped from his own chamber and found himself at the Grand Master's door moments later. 3 knocks was all he gave.

"Master Brooks?"

 

[Astra de Aurora]

She ran a hand through her hair and desperately began to rub the sleep from her eyes. It didn't take to long for her to make herself look more presentable; she just donned the black Jedi Master robes she normally wore. From the voice it was Avare', he had been asked to come onto this mission because of his experience with Wookiees. Perhaps he was familiar with this tribe.

"You may enter, Trucido!" Snake called out to him as she walked towards the door. When it opened, she bowed formally to him and as she rose spoke peacefully:

"What brings you here?"

 

[Rev]

As the door shot open with a hiss he smiled to the bowing Grand Master and returned the courtesy. Bowing low in respect he returned to his normal stature. The smile stayed on his face until she asked the question.

"Details Master, I wish to know more about this mission.. I know the Republic and Wookiee's have had their troubles in the past. But last I knew they were still allies, until the attack from the humans I heard about... so who is it we are talking to, what tribe?"

He crossed his arms sliding them into the black sleeves of the robe before letting out a sigh of relief. It was as if the words he had just spoken were a burden on his back and were suddenly released to the Grand Master of the Jedi Order.

 

[Michael Vereaux]

About ten minutes after the talk between Snake and Avare', the pilot sighed as he pressed a few buttons at his seat, one of his hands on the wheel to move the ship. They were getting closer and closer to the planet and it was going smoothly enough. The pilot was young, wore a pilot uniform and in the back of his mind, he really wanted to be somewhere else in fighting for the Jedi and the Republic. Instead, he was here to fly these Jedi here to Kashyyyk. He didn't really know what was going on for coming here but he was given his orders and so, had to follow them. It was a little boring to be here really...that is until a second later.

A ship, a very small ship that didn't even appear to really be a ship to the pilot's eyes, came out of hyperspace and was heading right toward the front of the ship...going pretty fast I might add. "AHHHHH!" Screamed the pilot as he grabbed hold of the steering wheel and moved the ship harshly to get out of the way, leaning off toward the left. At the same time, the pilot of the other ship, who ever it was, leaned off to his left and also spun in the air. After the little close almost hitting nose first of the two ships, the pilot steered the ship back to its normal course, his heart racing as everyone on the ship must have been surprised by the sudden harsh movement of the ship. A moment later, an image of someone on the screen in front of the pilot appeared. It was Shan.

"Hey, sorry about that," said Shan as anyone could see his face from within his own ship as he contacted the Jedi ship. "Didn't mean to give both of us a scare like that." The ship that had come out of hyperspace was the Hajrico, Shan's personal ship. As to why he is coming here to Kashyyk, who knows. Could be for a few different reasons depending on what jobs he's had to get. For today, he was getting some ship parts to a merchant on Kashyyk who requested them. Easy job if you crossed out almost going head first into another ship when getting out of hyperspace.

"Its fine. Just make sure to drop out of hyperspace farther away from the planet," said the pilot, laughing slightly from the rush of his blood. Shan laughed a little too.

"Yeah, I better make note of that next time," said Shan. He was laying down in his ship as usual, seeing as you had to for his ship and pressed a few buttons in front of him, bringing the ship a little closer to the ship the Jedi were on, flying along with them as the two ships came closer to the planet. "Since we're here talking, why have you come to Kashyyk? I've heard there's been some trouble here lately," asked Shan, just a little curious about it and just trying to strike up conversation.

"I'm just the pilot and its actually personal business for the people on board," said the pilot, not wanting to really say that the Jedi were here as he didn't really know the guy all that much. He knew that Shan was trying to just start a little conversation but his orders were his orders.

"I understand," he said, trying to think of something else to talk about in the next minute or two. Shan just wanted to pass the time and he did really feel sorry about the stupid move he made.

"What's your name?"

Shan was taken a back by it as he blinked but he smiled a little a moment later. "Shantri Macvo Hajrico," he said to the pilot, a weird look of how to really pronounce his first name on his face. Shan laughed a little, thinking it a little funny. "You can just call me Shan. It beats having to say my full first name," he said, the pilot laughing a little along with Shan as the guy nodded, agreeing with Shan.

 

[Astra de Aurora]

"I know that this cheiftan's name is Thraibacca. Sources have led us to know that he is a very influential leader and I figure that it would be best to strengthen the connection between Kashyyyk and the Republic and Jedi and show that we are not the cause of their stress.

Remember the discussion on the Jedi Crusade? We are to persuade Thraibacca to call a council between all of the cheiftans and see if they will ally us and the Republic when we might the Sith. I believe that it is inevitable that we shall fight."

Snake turned away and stared out of a nearby window. They would land soon and this mission would begin. They could not fail in their task, it would be disastrous if the Wookiees grew angry at them.

 

[Rev]

He laughed softly at the hearing of Thraibacca's name. Shaking his head almost in disbelief at the Wookiee's name.

"That young cub is the new leader of the Vokka tribe?"

He laughed softly crossing his arms and looking at the Grandmaster.

"That one... he had much to learn last time I seen him. Do you know what happened to his father? He was the one that welcomed me to Kashyyyk when I first arrived... the others were skeptical, but they learned to trust in their leaders judgement.. I only hope they trust in Thraibacca as well as they did Thundaar.."

He let out a sigh and knelt on the floor, there was something more peaceful about this room that none of the others seemed to have. The Grandmaster seemed to radiate a lightside Aura, it was like nothing he had ever dealt with before.

 

[Astra de Aurora]

Snake let out a quiet sigh of relief. So he did have contact with this paticular tribe. The Vokka tribe. She would remember this. She could not screw up such an important mission like this; would not!

"Thank you, Trucido," she began formally. "I have no clue what has happened to his father, but hopefully Thraibacca will carry on as his father did and welcome us and listen to our voices."

 

[Rev]

"He can be a bit like a Rancor at times... narrow minded and hard headed, but he has good intentions. I'm sure he'll listen to our words, he might not be friendly to humans, but those that wear the colors of the republic and the Jedi he may allow passage through and form an alliance."

He took in a deep breath wondering when they would arrive. He was nearly as excited about revisiting his "second home" as the days when he first began his Jedi training. There was no feeling like it. Though within he was flushed with feelings on the outside he remained calm and under control of them.

"I can only hope that he remembers me... if not we could be in for a rough day..."

 

[Astra de Aurora]

The ship suddenly jerked, causing Snake to fall to the ground. With a few seconds she was back on her feet again, reaching for a blaster in a holster that wasn't there. She was going to have to let go of that damned assassin training her damned great-grandmother had started.

"Are you alright?" she hurriedly asked Avare' practically over her shoulder as she rushed over to the comm system.

"Captain; is there something amiss?" The last thing they needed was a crash landing on Kashyyyk.

 

[Michael Vereaux]

"Everything is just fine," said the pilot as he sighed, a little tired. Although something struck to him as odd but slightly funny as he glanced at Snake. "Captian? I wish! I'm just the pilot for you guys." He looked over at the little image still of Shan on the screen as they flew on, still coming closer and closer to the planet. "Only thing that really happened was Shan almost hitting the front of the ship," he said, pointing toward the little image of Shan still on the screen. "Jumped out of hyperspace too close to the planet and had headed right for us. No damage though and he's already sent his apologies about the matter."

Shan blinked when talking was going on, still connected to the Jedi ship and hearing what they were saying, well, only what the pilot was saying as he was the only one talking at the moment. Seeing Snake on his own screen, he waved toward her, smiling as well. "Hiya! Sorry again about that. I don't know what was up with the computer when I set course but seems everything's okay on both ends," said Shan over the connection. Looking over his shoulder, he saw his bottle of water against the side of the seat he was on but it was out of reach of his hands. Using Psychokinesis, he made the bottle lift up into the air and fly a bit toward Shan's open hand, catching it before he opened it, taking a few sips of the water. The pilot watched Shan use Psychokinesis, his mouth open as if in shock.

"Did he just..."

 

[Rev]

Avare barely moved on the floor of the ship as the 2 ships came in contact with one another. Hearing Snake nearly fall though made him quickly get to his feet and make an attempt to assist her, though she was up as quick as he was.

"Yes, never better Grandmaster..."

He smirked.

"And you? I think we both know the leader of the Jedi should be in a better condition than a mere Knight."

He laughed softly and listened to this pilot, odd that his navicomputer didn't tell him there was a ship near his exit point.

"Seems you should update your navicomputer than Master... Shan is it?"

Avare' went back to his knees in a meditative state, he wanted to remain calm and steady when they reached Kashyyyk as he had no idea what could be going on down there. Nothing worse than a pissed off Wookiee.

 

[Astra de Aurora]

OOC: Back! Let's get this show on the road! :p

IC::

She grinned at the Knight. "Hey! You were kneeling!" she replied teasingly.

Snake's fingers typed frantically at the computer near the comm system and on the screen appeared Shan's face. She had pulled it up just in time to see him use... the Force? Her smiling face grew serious once more.

Pilot, Trucido, do not show surprise at this. It could be second nature for him. Stay cautious, she thought directly to the two on her ship so that Shan would not be able to hear.

"So what brings you to this side of Kashyyyk?"

 

[Michael Vereaux]

Shan blinked a little bit from what Avare' said before smiling, drinking down the water he had with him. He was starting to get really hungry and he felt like he was as hungry as a wookiee. "Yeah, that's what I first thought, seeing as how the navicomputer hasn't been updated in about five months....actually, I'm behind on a lot of stuff," he said, laughing at his forgetfulness because not only was the navicomputer behind, he hasn't checked the ship as a whole for about a year now. He had kept it going but it was time for a check-up. "Oh and please, just Shan will do. Shan's not actually my real name considering my real name is hard to pronouce. So, I use nick names and since Shan is in he word Shantri, I decided to use it." Shan blinked again, seeing Snake's face upon the screen now. He hadn't noticed really before until now. 'Damn, she's pretty,' he thought to himself, smiling as he did shyly, looking at her face. Unknown to him though was that he was looking at the Grandmaster of the Jedi. A surprise indeed it was going to be for him when he found out. He listened though intently to what she said, continuing to smile. The pilot, as he was, watched them, guiding the ship as he did while also taking into thought about what Snake said. "Well, I'm shiping a box of spice to a wookiee down at the planet. They couldn't send it in time so they posted a job and I took it. Needed the extra money anyway. It was a small shipment on such short notice to a wookiee by the name of....oh, what's his name?.....Thraibacca. Yeah, that's the name."

 

[Astra de Aurora]

Thraibacca? Interesting... It seems we have made contact with a smuggler... she thought telepathicly to Avare'.

It was fortunate that the pilot did not know about their mission, otherwise Shan would be able to read his mind, if her assumptions were correct. This complicated their mission anyways. If the cheiftan wasn't in his right mind, they may have to take their case to another tribe, but perhaps Avare' could now of another source. No, it would be best to stick with what they knew for sure.

Snake could almost feel his blue eyes on hers, it was equally almost unnerving. She wondered if he could tell the faction that they belonged too. Probably not due to the smile on his face.

"I've heard about Thraibacca..." she began, choosing her words carefully although she didn't let it show. "Are the rumors true?"

OOC: On a note, Aaron will be NPCing Thraibacca

 

[Michael Vereaux]

Shan frowned slightly, placing his chin within both of his hands as he thought to himself, his eyes else where, appearing to be in thought. He didn't really know that much about the guy since he was simply given the spice and told to give it to someone connected with Thraibacca. Shan had asked what it was for and they simply said it was for something special in mind. Frankly, there wasn't that much spice he had to bring. The amount he brought could be used for one person for maybe a few days but if used by many people, it might last a few hours considering how many people actually used it. Sighing, he looked up to see her face again. "Well...I think so but from what little I've heard, it seems that the wookiees are going along pretty well with themselves. Other than knowing their language and knowing only a little bit of their history, there's not much I could tell you about them anyway. Oh and to not make a wookiee mad. That's the last thing anyone wants," he said, laughing a bit, smiling again at her. A beeping noise came from a control and he looked at a message on another screen of his. He was being given permission to land at a private landing port to deliver the spice. He was slightly surprised but considering the describition they must have been given on Shan's ship, he knew they would find him to tell him about the land pad. A moment passed though before his head felt a little odd. Maybe it was just a headache or something but it was starting to annoy him as he rubbed his head.

 

[Rev]

He was still attempting to reach out through the Force, maybe sense any instability on the planet. So far it seemed that the planet was calm, though there was that sense of Fear and Anger that filled parts of the planet, the tribes. Opening his eyes he stood and quickly moved to the port side of the ship, now looking down at the planet. He stared in wonder down at the forested moon below.

"Master Brooks... this trader.. smuggler, whatever he may be.. he could be in danger."

A telepathic thought was shot back to the Grandmaster as Avare' looked out the window still, this time at the ship.

"Was that order placed before or after this Wookiee conflict began, Shan?"

His eyes fell back upon the planet, if he knew the tribes down there, and these Wookiees had as much Fear and Hate for Humans as it appeared, this smuggler might not be getting any credits on this mission. Turning from the window his arms crossed and his left hand fell to his chin as he thought.

"Pilot, get us to touch down as quickly as possible... try and make it near to this Shan character..."

 

[Astra de Aurora]

"Unfortunately, we have urgent business down on Kashyyyk and we must be getting down there. Farewell, Shan."

She spoken in a rushed tone, cutting Shan off before he could reply to her companion's question. As the ship began it's descent downwards, Snake called to the pilot to cut off communications. When they were offline she spoke in an urgent tone to the pilot.

"If at all possible, land without him noticing us being near him. But we do end up near him, he could think it's a coincedence," she added onto Avare's words. She was feeling the same way he was; she had sensed the commotion far below.

"I... I feel... unsafe here... Let us continue on with our mission."

She closed her eyes and remembered back to her Padawan days. She had been overpowered by Jedi Master Bruce Madet. He had been possessed by Grim. She had fallen in love with a Jedi Knight... He had persued her to Kashyyyk where she was carrying out a mission to prove worthiness to Grim. It was either that or die... To kill ten Wookiees and bring back their claws.

That had been one of the more horrific events of her life. Her servitude to Grim and none of the Jedi had even noticed. But would the Wookiees remember her? She hoped not; her mission had been on the other side of Kashyyyk. A tear rushed down her face and she hurriedly wiped it away. Those days were over.

 

[Epic]

"Where are they?", the large Wookiee asked in Shyriiwook. Thraibacca waited patiently, though that patience was beginning to wear thing, for the Jedi who'd arranged to meet with him.

"They will be here shortly, Chieftan.", one of the scouts reported to him. He hoped, for their sakes, that he was right. Not only was he waiting on the Jedi, but another small shipment of Spice was due.

"Any new ships other than that Jedi's?", Thraibacca asked.

"Yes. One that is being allowed to land as we speak."

"Good. Thank you, Rakirra."

 

[Rev]

Avare' had moved with her to the pilot and took heed to her words of not allowing the stranger to know their location, it was a wise move. A rush of emotions came over him as he stood near the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order. A troubling past event it would seem. Taking in a deep breath he reached out with the Force, trying to get a connection of what she felt... Love, Hate, Anger, Fear, Sorrow... nearly everything had rushed over the Leader of the Jedi Order just then. Reaching to the control panel that had control over the pilot's quarters he pressed a simple red button and the door hissed shut, spraying the area with the excess hydrolic fluids.

"Master Brooks..."

He had simply done that to get the unknowing Pilot from learning any information.

"...something has scarred you here... a great... great pain I sense within you..."

He had noticed the simple, yet powerful tear that had run down her cheek, though it was only for a second. Resting a hand on her shoulder gently, he wasn't sure how she would take it, she was the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order afterall.. she wasn't supposed to have such emotions and feelings, though they took the best of everyone. They were in a time of need, and he had made an oath to give those in need the help they would undoubtably deserve. This is what he was attempting to offer his leader.