If you wish to build a house...

[The Gloaming]

Mon Calamari. Far from the galactic center, yet brimming with activity. This system had long served the GA in producing naval vessels and skilled officers, and it was one of the wealthiest systems in the Slice.

Isaac sat patiently, looking down at the planet below, staring into the water. He was aboard an orbital facility, one that saw many civilians in transit for business. Isaac was here on business, sort of. A ship, a good vessel. That's what he needed, and his friend would help him secure one.

How long does it take to get a cup of caf? I wonder what's keeping him.

 

[Jacques]

Of course, he had gotten several cups of caf instead of the one he'd promised to Isaac. It calmed him down, made him feel better. Internal struggles weren't very helpful when trying to do...business with his Master. Laatik drained the fourth and tossed a couple of credit chips on his table. Luckily the building they were in had a small caf shop two floors away from their destination. That was probably the only reason he was able to grab a cup this late. Normally, Laatik had it much earlier.

The walk to the room lasted no longer than five minutes, but it felt shorter than that. Like he was running down the corridors at full speed, trying to get to Isaac. But he wasn't dumb enough to give that away. At least, he hoped so.

"Sorry I'm late, Master...I got caught up in the caf." Laatik apologized, stepping into the room where Isaac's presence was...though the Man had already told him beforehand, the younger man's memory wasn't exactly the greatest. "You called?"

 

[The Gloaming]

Isaac gave a chuckle. "Of course, the caf. Thank you Laatik. And I told you, I'm not really your master, I don't care much for formal titles. I think it's time we secured a ship."

He stood and took the cup, struggling to sip it slowly. It wasn't too hot, but he was in dire need of something to drink, and something to wake him up for the upcoming task.

"Now, how do we secure a ship." Isaac already knew how, in fact he had several plans just to take one, but this was a test for Laatik. Whether formal or not, Isaac did take it upon himself to teach the young man, not just about the Force, but about being a leader, knowledge he would need later.

After only a few sips, Isaac began to feel strange, as if he were getting a 'buzz' from alcohol. "Laatik, did you ask them to make this without sugar?"

 

[Jacques]

Laatik thought for several moments to answer Isaac's question, going deep into thought. When He asked him if there was no sugar in the caf, the man grimaced and then sighed, "I'm terribly sorry Ma-...Isaac." He apologized, "I was trying to hurry myself and I must've forgotten to ask for no sugar." Laatik shook his head and sighed once more, before going back into thought.

"But in answer to your earlier question...I guess..." He paused, trying to form his thoughts in a way thought wouldn't sound dumb, "We could gain passage and then take over the ship later?" Laatik suggested, before moving on, "Or maybe we could just try to find ones we could mind trick into giving us their ship?"

 

[The Gloaming]

"Hmm perhaps....or....maybe we could create a diversion, find a vessel with as few people aboard as possible, and, well...what's the best way to hide Laatik?" Isaac had forgotten about the caf, and before his friend had a chance to answer, he spoke. "In plain sight. So, we climb aboard during the chaos of our own diversion, and I'll make sure we get the ship moving."

"First things first. A distraction. Any ideas?"

 

[Jacques]

Again he was at work thinking, trying to imagine a good diversion. Eventually, Laatik decided on something big, and loud. "I think I have an idea, Isaac." He said, holding a single pointer finger in the air to get his point across, "There must be something flammable or explosive on here. If maybe I could retrieve them and something to start a fire, one of us could use the Force to create the diversion from a distance." The less experienced man felt he had a good idea, but wanted Isaac to agree. Laatik wanted something big, something that would really get people worrying.

 

[The Gloaming]

Isaac stroked the white hair on his chin. "That's precisely what I wanted. If you can find the explosives, and put them in a high priority location, perhaps a fuel depot or crowded restaraunt, that would be sure to get attention. I'll go find us a ship that's ready to go."

Isaac wandered off, trying to shake the warmth from that sugar, and steered himself towards the docking bay. He hoped no one would miss a little old battlecruiser, but he knew someone would. It would certainly be hard to hide.

 

[Jacques]

The former gladiator wandered off, wondering where he would be able to find explosives. He made his way into a store and grabbed several boxes full of matches as they were free, and walked out. Laatik had no idea where he would find explosives, only really knowing about Detonite. He had not a single clue of what was explosive or not, though he liked to believe that several spices were, he wasn't sure for sure. The robed man didn't wish to cause too much destructing, hoping that he could create a sizable explosion with only a small amount. The fuel depot was a no go, as the explosion that would cause would be remarkable.

"This, NiNaulan, think!" He swore to himself as he walked, all three lightsabers he owned hanging from his belt and smacking against different parts of his lower body as they swung around while he walked. Laatik stopped in his tracks, quickly and silently snapping his fingers, adding an "Aha!" and then wondering where they would keep an armory. A station like this had to have SOMETHING.

 

[The Gloaming]

The docking bay was surprisingly empty, apart from a few freighters and two sizable battlecruisers. Mon Calamari ships were famous for their quality, and just one battlecruiser was equal to two from any other system. A lone patrolman stood guard outside each battlecruiser, and neither had seen Isaac.

He put on his best 'admiral' face, and actually took the appearance of aGA admiral, complete with garb. He could hold this illusion for a long time, but then, that wasn't the hard part. He could sense life on each of the cruisers, so this wouldn't be a clean job. That's alright, nobody lives forever.

"Good evening! How are things going? When will she be spaceworthy?" Isaac was enjoying the chance to act, and it seemed to work. The patrolman snapped to life and saluted the old codger. "Uh, a pleasure sir. She'll be ready in a few minutes, my men are just finishing cleaning her out now. Would you like me to show you the improvements before you approve the authorization codes?"

"Of course."

 

[Jacques]

Finding the one and only armory on board took Laatik a little under half an hour. searching frivolously for a lead. It wasn't very far away from him, and it looked as though it was incredibly small. With a sigh, he hoped there would be at least some grenades in there,

The armory was less than appealing, but the middle aged man was able to dig around and find some grenades, a couple cans of gasoline, and a medium sized barrel of an explosive he couldn't even hope to recognize. With the finding of the items came a dilemma...how in the hell would he get them somewhere that would cause a distraction? Laatik sighed, and contemplated using just the armory, but eventually decided against it. With a shrug he grabbed the grenades and clipped them to his utility belt...they might be useful later. He then took the gasoline in his right hand, which was completely covered by his cloak.

That took another fifteen minutes for a shift change. Laatik had noticed by then that the guards changed every hour, and that usually took about fifteen minutes. With no other choice, he used the force to take ahold of the explosive and took off.

 

[The Gloaming]

The mediator-class battlecruiser was massive, to say the least. And it was, for the most part, empty. The only lifeforms remaining were the mechanics and a few middle ranking GA members. They'll have to go for sure. GA members aboard a stolen vessel fresh off the line was a very horrible thing in times of war. But the ship was a necessity.

"The systems are all installed, ready to go. You may want to check the nag systems and computers by doing a few simulations before getting it ready for action. The weapons are all pre-tested though. How long have you been in the GA, admiral uh..." "Oh, Orris, will he fine, spare the formallities. I'll just be taking this then, the GA thanks you for your service. Who can I speak to about clearing the men off the ship?"

Perhaps that was a slip, because the the patrolman, who was apparently a face for Mon Calamari shipyards, eyed him suspiciously. "Don't you need a crew? I thought they were your men..." Isaac thought quickly.

"Oh, shift changes you know. I thought you were in charge of the changes? They are mine, but they'll be taking the other one. I have my own crew coming in shortly to see me back. Risky business dealing with unknowns when there's such a high threat to security..."

 

[Jacques]

Laatik noticed a disturbance, small but what could possibly be significant. Isaac could be in trouble, which meant that the younger warrior would have to act fast or suffer the consequences. He followed right behind a lieutenant of the guard, a short and fat Mon Calamari who was too stupid to suspect a thing.

The room they arrived in was large and empty...the perfect place. There was a shield glass overlooking the docking bay...close enough to cause an immediate distraction. The hard part would be sneaking past the on alert soldiers unnoticed.Laatik used the force to crush the hidden camera in the room while trying to stay out of sight. Then, when the guard was confused by the noise, the gladiator struck him on the back of the head...hard. That was another few minutes, dragging him to a safe place.

In the process, Laatik stood the barrel of explosive in the middle of the room, then taking the time to douse the barrel and all around the room with the gasoline. After several seconds of letting everything soak in, he stood just outside the room and struck several matches and chucked them on the table the explosives stood on.

With that, he ran as hard as he could. Laatik forced the force to let him run, a corridor down the hall when he heard one of the loudest BOOMs of his life.

 

[The Gloaming]

BOOM

Then the ringing started, and the glass fell down around Isaac like feathers from a bird who'd exploded. People screamed, most ran, and the patrol man seemed to forget all about 'Admiral Orris' and the ship he was about to steal. As the crew members scurried from the ship to see what had happened, Isaac slipped inside and made his way to the command bridge.

He sent Laatik a Force nudge, one simple idea. Time to leave.

Isaac looked back to see that some of the officers were beginning to calm down and take charge of the situation. Not good. He sat in what he presumed to be the captains chair, and waved his hand outward. The officers and vigilanty bystanders stopped in amazement as the old mans illusion manifested. A swarm of screaming neks and nerfs reeled out from the explosion, burning all the while. "That ought to hold them. Laatik, where are you?"

 

[Jacques]

There were five guards almost rounding the corner Laatik was hiding behind. He'd tried to do it stealthfully, he'd tried to do it quietly and without hurting anybody else, but obviously that wasn't going to happen. Gathering his thoughts and the force, he waited until the footsteps grew close enough for him to feel he could hit all five of them. Again acting quickly, Laatik all but lept up from the ground and rounded the corner, almost face to face with the first man.

They went flying away from him, weapons in the air. The force user reached up and pulled one into him, setting it on stun. With five quick shots to the chest, each one was now down for sure. Tossing the blaster away with a crunched up face of displeasure, Laatik continued on for his quest to get back. He'd felt the force nudge only three minutes ago, but each minute felt as if it took longer and longer to pass.

The rest of the trip through was silent and slow, only having to stop for passing guards two or three times. He could see where Isaac was now, and where he had to be. In the confusion of the blast, Laatik was able to sneak off some mind tricks to get the civilians trying to act tough to let him through. The illusion broke out then, and for a moment even he was amazed. But that was the feeling one got when they witnessed Isaac's work.

He continued on to the ship, and approached Isaac with a quick nod. "Are we ready for our trip?"

 

[The Gloaming]

"Yes, I've started the engines and the computers are all running. Do you know how to fly a ship like this?" Isaac turned and looked at Laatik for a moment, and withdrew his statement. "I mean, I don't think it's unlike any other ship, just...huge. I'll worry about getting us out of here, you go make sure no one's aboard. I don't want to get lightyears away and find stowaways." He turned back with a grave face. "You know what we'd have to do then, and I don't want that."

He heard his informal apprentice go, and before he was too far off, Isaac remembered something. "Hey! If you find any droids, tell them to report to me! We may have use for them!"

 

[Jacques]

All Laatik offered back was a nod as he ran off, searching and searching. It must've taken an hour or two, but there was nobody on. All he could find were a few Astromech droids and a bunch of parts and pieces to another. Just about everyone had cleared off the ship in the initial distraction, and by the second there was nothing left. Nothing but food and drink, meds and weapons to supply a small army.

Eventually he reported back to the cockpit, though it felt like it'd taken him days and days to search. "There's nobody on board but these three.' He said, nodding at the three astromechs of different kinds. He thought he noticed an old R2 unit in there somewhere. "And some broken pieces to another droids, if I find some time I could work on getting that together..."

"But besides that, we could live a lifetime on the food and drinks in here. Not a life a luxury, but a life."

 

[The Gloaming]

"Wonderful, thank you Laatik." Isaac looked out the viewport at the ethereal display of hyperspace. "We're headed to Hutt space. I don't know where we'll go from there. I think we should find a way to clear this ships designation codes. Otherwise, the Alliance will find us in a matter of days. Know anyone who could do that?"

Isaac was brimming with excitement, and a little fear. The two men had just stolen a Galactic Alliance vessel, a huge one, and were likely going to find some seedy criminal types to make them invisible. It was a large galaxy, but there weren't many options right now. That will change.

 

[Jacques]

The younger of the two shook his head and sighed, "No Isaac, I'm afraid I don't. But it's Hutts, they'll do anything for a money and a favor." Laatik said, sitting down next to the man and looking at what he was doing. For two years he'd spent in Hutt space, he'd made a lot of enemies there. Not his fault the other Hutt paid better...Shaking his head, the former gladiator added, "Everyone I knew now wants to kill me...well...the ones who are still alive, I mean."

 

[The Gloaming]

If there was one thing Isaac didn't have, it was empathy. He couldn't tell whether Laatik was fearful, regretful, or something else altogether. "We can just jump somewhere else.. Unless you'd like to tend to some unfinished business. Just don't go seeking a fight. If it happens, so be it, but remember that your enemies will likely know the taste of justice soon enough. If you want to serve justice, we can go. If you want vengeance, I can't do a thing to stop you. You will hate yourself for it though."

In a few minutes, the Mediator-class battlecruiser would find port on Nal Hutta, and if Laatik wanted to stay, Isaac would follow him anywhere. He knew that sometimes, it isn't about guiding, but allowing another to guide themselves.

 

[Jacques]

"No...No, Isaac, I'm fine. The last time I saw, most of them including the leaders were in cuffs, their empire all but lost. Believe me, even though they're probably out by now, they will have so little influence around there to even get close to us." Laatik replied, with a shrug of his shoulders, "So let's go." He couldn't help but wonder if maybe they had gained the empire back quick...but he was incredibly sure they were on their way out even before then, that just gave their enemies a reason to finish moving. But Laatik couldn't help but think he'd be ready to take them down if they would appear...however unlikely that would be.