One Mess for Another: A Recruitment Story

[ItsUhTrap42]

** Klaxons screamed as Elijah Hardin burned his mouth on the stew he was quaffing after a long days patrol. He immediately pulled his datapad from his satchel checking for an update. Reports scrolled across the screen detailing an explosion at a nearby storage facility. The Morellian Enforcer captain keyed his comm-link.

“Dan-L, load up, get the team gathered and meet me outside in two minutes.”

His faithful companion and battle hardened YVH battle droid replied hastily.

“Understood, Captain. Dan out.”

Hardin stuffed the datapad in his satchel and tightened the bags straps about his waist and shoulder, checked the cylinder of his Morellian .48 Enforcer pistol and went to his locker with haste. After pulling his modulating blaster rifle from its rack, cramming a fresh power cell into it and quickly stuffing some supplies into his purse he briskly walked to the front door and emerged from his simplistic domicile to a plume of smoke about a click away. Looking about he gathered his senses and took a deep breath. Dan-L, his sintheskin mimicking perspiration, came to a heavy, sliding halt in front of him and his response team in tow, struggling to keep up with the now antique droid.

“Captain, reports show that the last vestige of the occupying pirate force has launched a desperate counter-attack at the enforcer stocks.”

Eli looked calm and collected, the skirmishes with the pirates were almost over. One last battle would be welcome if it truly meant the end of the conflict.

“Me and the team will make our way there, get to Suzie, reverse her gravitational polarity and put the turret planet-side and cover our approach. Take Hawkins with you to man the gun.”

The human looking droid nodded and expressed an affirmative, bounding towards the ship parked behind Hardins house.

“What do you think boys? You got one last haroo in you?”

The men nodded a somber nod and were not all that excited to fight again, but they would hold true and do their jobs.

“Mount up and hold up behind me one hundred meters from the blast site. They will know were coming so we need to take this block-by-block. Karsin, you and Parketh cover up high on the building tops. The Susannah will keep you covered from any aerial attacks and I want you to take every shot those bastard pirates afford you. Show no quarter, we owe it to our beloved Captain Jothra to make these kriffing animals pay. Go now, get a head start and help Dan cover our approach, comm in at the first sign of the enemy.”
The seasoned sharpshooters saluted sharply, mounted their speeder bikes and pushed off towards the looming smoke and charred smell of what would be a wasteland of pirate scum in the hours ahead of them.

(ooc. Hello everyone, I’m happy to be here, please feel free if it makes sense for your character to join in but I would appreciate it if you messaged me first as this is my ‘joining the rebels’ origin thread and I have a specific plan in mind. I will be developing this over the better part of the night so turn based combat may be hard to do. GLHF)

 

[ItsUhTrap42]

Elijah opened his comm to his men so Dan-L and the ones en route wouldn’t miss on the particulars.

“Cantor, Tul, Torie, Beata, Norik, Jon you six take the north side of the main road comprising of the main attack. Lorn, and myself will cover your right flank moving up Market St. as you make your way block by block. Call out your targets and we’ll get them taken care of. Remember, your job is to keep them down and push them back while our snipers pick them off and we cut their flanks like the mutton they are.”

The men looked to each other for faith and inspiration and found it in each other’s stalwart eyes. It was time to put an end to this extortion and occupation.

“Move out.”

The main squad was mostly piled into a landspeeder and was flanked by two speeder-bikes on either side, one of them Eli’s. It didn’t take long for the response team to reach the rally point and Dan-L was already upside down and the Susannah was inverted pounding the fortified positions of the pirates with blaster fire. Hardin quickly threw his duster back and swung his leg over the seat of his bike and crossed the road to the one adjacent. Nodding to Cantor the unit began moving like a well oiled machine up the road, it wasn’t until about after thirty meters in did they get the first snaps of blaster bolts ringing over their heads and thudding into the walls and cover around them. Hardins team moved quickly in tandem up Market St. His comm was alive with combat chatter with teammates calling out targets and the sniper teams raining swift judgement down on the pirates at every opportunity.

“Beata, sweetheart you have a small squad moving to your right flank! Captain do you think you can get the angle?”

The sniper heard and saw two quick hunks of molten metal hurling through the air and thudding into the two lead aggressors before he even finished his sentence. Lorn broke out from behind him pouring covering fire into the advancing squad. The immediate pirates broke for cover and were picked off. One pirate’s head turned to red mess when the sniper, Karsin’s bolt met its target. The other pirates, stricken by the grotesque nature of war, faltered for a moment as their comrade was felled. The main squad quickly took advantage and overwhelmed them and the pirates were made welcome mats.

The forward momentum was not hindered and the three teams worked brilliantly together until about twenty meters before the berths of the stocks. Dan-l came matter-of-factly through the comm.

“Captain, there are two anti aircraft turrets covering the launch bay. Unless you want I should risk Suzie, I cannot bring her any closer. I should also warn you they are being protected by a medium tank.”

The Morellian Officer called back to his droid.

“Understood, we’ll take care of it. Karsin, Parketh keep those guns occupied to the best of your ability, but do not compromise your positions. Cantor, move around through the adjacent buildings, use the windows for cover keep the tank busy and focused on you. Be careful! Stay away from the walls as best you can. Lorn and I will do what we can to the cannons. As soon as we get the cannons down Dan you need to be on point and tell that kriffing rookie in the gun he had better shoot straight.”

Elijah knew his men well enough that he didn’t wait for a reply; they knew what they were doing. He turned to Lorn. “Double time Lorn.” The two enforcers ran at a sprint as they heard cannon fire thunder around them. The building across from the stocks began to lose its integrity and blaster fire could be seen whizzing in both directions. Elijah yelled to lorn over the fire, forgetting his comlink worked just fine.

“Take the close one, I’m going over the tank to the far!”

Lorn dodged left and right as the men designated to protect the cannons turned their fire from the main group to the two enforcers flanking. Fanning his own .48 Lorn dropped three of the men with four shots and holstered his weapon, cooked a thermal detonator as Elijah broke from Lorns gait. Lorn tossed the device toward the tank. Hardin had to cross it before reaching the far AA gun. Immediately after Lorn tossed the detonator he dove into a roll intending to turn and finish the gun-crew and was abruptly cut down by well-led full auto fire from a blaster carbine. Cries could be heard throughout the comm and the gunner was cut down by vengeful sniper fire from across the road, both snipers had trained on the pirate and delivered swift justice, then put the AA gunner out of his now-bloodied seat after. Elijah didn’t break his stride as his old friend was ended. Just before Lorns well-timed grenade detonated, shaking the tank but nowhere near incapacitating it, Elijah took off his hat and covered his face from the smoke and shrapnel. Clearing the debris, Elijah Harding, Captain of the Morellian Enforcers, hand-planted over the hatch of the tank whilst re-adorning his reek-skin hat.

The tank, too busy with the enforcer combatants across the way took little notice of the one man and put a large cannon blast into an exposed stud of the building. The building creaked and began to crumble. Were it seemingly not for the intervention of the force, and the timing of the attack, Harding’s response team would have surely been crushed. However, as the men appointed to cover the tank poured from the building and into the open road to escape the rubble, Dan-l risked the last AA gun and a well-placed torpedo turned the tank to scrap. The AA guards had little time to adapt now no longer knowing at whom to shoot. Elijah put the first two he saw down with his oversized slugthrower and pitched his empty weapon into the nose of the next. Leaping over the cover he un-slung his rifle and poured too many bolts into the gunner of the stationary gun. The Berth secure, Eli picked up his slugthrower and the team regrouped in front of the open hangar door around the rubble of the tank and guns.

“Now the hard part. That cretin Commandant Tethro will surely be in there. We will mourn Lorn later, right now we’re going to put that karking sonofabitch in the dirt. Dan, I’ll need you. Land Suzie in the street. Jon, Tul, Torie: cover our backs and watch the ship just in case, use the guns if you have to. Never mind the blood. The rest of you, we go it slow. Take heed, Tethro will not go down easy.”

 

[ItsUhTrap42]

Moments later, The Susannah landed in a cloud of dust and smoke and Dan-L made his way down the ramp and up to Elijah. Producing a blaster carbine from over his shoulder, Dan switched it to full-auto and nodded to Hardin.

“Once more unto the breach, dear friend.”

He nodded to the droid.

“Run a bioscan. I want to know what we’re dealing with.”

Dan paused motionless for a moment and then nodded, looking at the group.

“Multiple signatures, seventeen to be precise. It would appear as if they are all holed up in an area on the third level. The arrangement of the signatures appears a cluster huddled in the center of the area and the rest spread out in seemingly strategic defense points. Captain, I believe this suggests they have hostages.”

The Morellian sighed and lowered his head. This wasn’t going to be easy. The blasted pirates never make this easy for him. Solemnly he looked at his men and women.

“Casualties are unacceptable, but they know we are coming. Diplomacy would be our best option. If that fails, we’ll need to do this carefully and quickly. Dan access the holonet and see if you can pull up the schematics to the building.”

The droid produced a datapad and began tapping away at it with speed and precision. It took little time for him to respond. He nodded an affirmative. Elijah queried.

“Cross reference the bioscan, I want to know exactly where they are and give me a tactical analysis.”

The computing was momentary. Dan-L replied.

“Captain, there is only one entrance to the room they are in. The floor plans of the stocks show this is a conference room. If it comes to a breach the likelihood that we can rescue all the hostages is seventeen point oh seven eight three percent continued. We could try to breach through something other than the front door, however the room is reinforced duraplast. We would need something a bit stronger than a thermal detonator.”

Hardin waved the notion away with his hand.

“We are in the stocks. Load up everyone and find me some explosives just in case we need to breach. I think I have an idea. Pull up the rap sheet on Tethro and summarize.”

The droid complied.

“Sir, he is Noghri, this you know. His clan has been known for being contrary and conflicting. They do not lack the typical honor-bound sense of purpose like most Noghri, but they do subscribe to a different interpretation of the concept. It would seem, to his clan, honor is determined by influence over others.”

Hardin said, “I think this may work.”

The response team quickly cleared the empty hangar and gathered the supplies they needed. They formed up on the door to the stairs and they proceeded upward to the third floor with rhythm and precision. Swiftly they reached the third floor and assembled on the entry to the conference room. Elijah closed his eyes, tightened the straps to his gear, tipped his hat down and slowly opened them. His brow furrowed and his eyes lowered. There was menace in his voice as he called through the door.

“Tethro! While I know in my heart of hearts you are the scourge of wild space, and I detest you with every fiber of my being, though I never took you for a coward who hides behind hostages. Every other part of this conflict has suggested you were a competent and capable brigand, not just a yellow, slack-jawed pile of bantha fodder. I say to you this: let the hostages go and we let you return to your ships and leave this planet in one piece. If that is not to your liking then we will be forced to enter as you have prepared for and more innocents will die. I will venture to assume you will favor neither and with that in mind I offer you one last option. Face me in single combat, prove to your men you are the leader they deserve and not just a petulant reptile.”

Elijahs men looked at him with sad-yet-confident eyes. The door hissed open. Standing in the center was a muscular bare-toothed Noghri brandishing a menacing cutlass. The Noghri snarled as he spoke.

“You would dare question my honor in front of my men! We’ve offered your people protection from all the numerous dangers that wild space has to offer. We only asked a small tax to help accommodate our expenses!”

Hardin cut him off as he spoke.

“No one asked for your assistance, when you and your rabble arrived here. We considered hiring your services at a responsible fee, offered it to you, and you turned it down. When our assembly gathered and voted on how we were to proceed with your aggressions we denied the need for your… protection. I regret however, I’m not here to debate the politics of the matter. You made your choice when you slaughtered our captain in front of the assembly. Ready yourself lizard, your death awaits you.”

Elijah Hardin, Captain of the Morellian Enforcers rolled his shoulders back and outstretched his arms as he stared down the Noghri. Dan-L removed Eli’s hat, duster, belt and holster with grace. The droid unhooked Hardin’s collapsible saber from the belt and with a flick of the YVH’s wrist the blade extended to it’s curved termination and Dan placed the hilt in his friends hand and bowed, taking a step back. Elijah saluted the scaled menace and assumed a practiced stance, his tip pointing directly at Tethro’s face. The two combatants closed to a distance of two meters and tested each others guard with quick taps, attempting to feel the other’s grip and intent.

 

[ItsUhTrap42]

Action came swiftly. A check of Hardin's blade redirected to a cutting strike to the Noghri's wrist. Tethro dropped his guard to intercept and the blades rang out through the building. After a few intercepted strikes, parries and reposts, the strength of the Noghri was starting to get the better of Elijah's guard. Every time Tethro returned a strike the weight would carry Eli's guard more off center than was comfortable for the world-class swordsman. It was severe effort for him to get his weapon back to intercept the next strike or to attempt one of his own. A stronger opponent was nothing new, however. He merely needed to use it to his advantage.

The Noghri began a powerful overhead, arcing swing to Hardin’s guard. When the blades met, Eli was ready. He used the momentum from the contact and spun low, his saber slicing Tethro at his ankles. A guttural roar bellowed out of him and he brought his cutlass to bear on Eli’s exposed head. Knowing his head was to be exposed for the low angle cut, Hardin had prepared for this. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t graceful but he fell out of the way and thudded on the permacrete flooring, his shoulder tensing from the impact. The cutlass missed but another strike came slashing at the ground where Elijah now lay. Elijah kicked the wrist of the Noghri hard and his cutlass went clanging away. Shocked the pirate turned to retrieve it. Just as he did, Hardin sent a hard kick into his cut ankle. Using the free moment of the Noghri’s pain, the Morellian wrapped his other leg around the pirate’s and scissor locked him, sweeping Tethro off his feet and sending him thudding into the permacrete. Rolling swiftly over into a mount Eli brought his blade to the Commandant’s throat.

“You are beaten. Stand down.”

Tethro had no intention of giving up so easy, his clawed hands came to bear on the blade around his throat and he thrust his hips high into the air and Elijah went hurtling over him. His sword now in his enemy’s hands, he scrambled for Tethro’s cutlass and found it just in time to block an incoming swing. Elijah had little time to affirm his grip and was forced to block with a half sword grip. The blade dug into his unprotected hand and he winced. Doubling back, hoping to gain some distance to reassess the fight was futile, but not for lack of effort. Hardin was almost running back trying to reposition the sword to a fighting grip. Tethro was furious with his attacks, seemingly ignoring the gashes above his feet. It was all the Morellian could do to keep him at bay. The sound of clashing metal rang through the surrounding soldiers ears. The pirates guarding the hostages now poured out into the hallway to witness the explosive combat. Both parties stared on in silence, some with mouths agape as the two came to a final head.

The swordplay was masterful and ferocious. Both combatants growling, yelling with almost every strike. The fight had gone from nimble fencing to powerful, menacing and angry, brutish strikes. Hardin realized again, he was no match for the Noghri’s strength. When Tethro came around with a powerful strike in an attempt to separate Elijah’s head from his shoulders, Eli risked a duck. Had he been wearing his hat he would have had to look for a new one. The curved edge of Tethro’s cutlass buried itself in the pirate’s gullet. And with a powerful yank Elijah Hardin spilled the Noghri’s innards onto the permacrete floor. The pirate collapsed on the ground writhing in pain. Eli held out his hand to one of the on-looking pirates and a knife was placed in it. He kneeled next to the dying Noghri and met his eyes. With a merciful insertion of the knife between the pirate’s ribs his pain was ended. Elijah sat with his back against the nearest wall and let out a long breath. He produced a cigarra and brought it to his lips, lighting it he looked at the response team.

“Dan, you and the team take them to the transit authorities and get them the hell off of our world. Parketh, untie the hostages and see that they receive any medical attention they require.”

 

[ItsUhTrap42]

He sat there next to his defeated adversary. Taking in the sweet tabac for a moment. The Morellian Enforcer reflected on the months long occupation of the pirates. He had lost too many friends. The first casualty, Captain Jothra, his mentor and confidant, the last casualty, Lorne, his partner and childhood friend. All those people in between, what was the reason?

After Jothra’s murder in front of the assembly, they had petitioned the Sith government to intervene and commit a force to protect them from the raiders. They hadn’t even bothered to send a reply, too busy with their religious war. How many other planets and peoples suffered like Morellia? How many other whole systems had been thrown into chaos because of opposing viewpoints on the nature of the force and it’s purpose. Millennia had past, trillions upon trillions of lives had been lost, whole worlds destroyed, countless monies poured into war efforts…for what? It was never to restore balance, no. It was to prove supremacy of an ideal, one or the other. It was apparent to any thinking being that the force favored neither the Sith, nor the Jedi. If it really had favored one of them, they would be able to maintain a peace under that banner.

Something had to change.

There had to be a way to instill a check and balance system to the wizards that plagued the galaxy for so long. He needed the change. The galaxy needed the change. He wasn’t content with just rebuilding his world after the carnage. The Enforcer Captain had to rebuild the galaxy. It was hubris to believe he could do it alone.

Elijah dragged on his cigarra and placed the cutlass over Tethro’s resting corpse, patting his hands as he closed them around the pirate’s sword and taking his own and collapsing it back. He picked up his duster, throwing it on, his hat, donning it, and buckled his gun belt around his waist and slung his blaster around his shoulder. The Morellian produced a small flask from his jacket, pouring corellian brandy on the floor. Once for Jothra, again for Lorne, and lastly for Tethro, he finished the rest himself. With one last drag from his cigarra he snuffed it under his boot and made his way silently from the stockyard hangar to his speeder-bike. A lonely bike was parked next to his. Lorne would never ride it again. Lorne’s son would want it. He set it to lockdown and made a mental note to have it delivered to him. With a final mental salute to his friend, he let go and rode off to the cantina.

 

[ItsUhTrap42]

After an order of food and a short wait, Elijah keyed a message into his comm telling his response team and the Morellian Assembly to meet him here if they wished and that arrangements were being made to clean up the mess surrounding the stockyard, that they had deserved a drink together. It didn’t take long for them to join him. They raised glasses to each other, to the fallen and to the future and everything was somber until a patron of the cantina shouted.

“Here’s to the noble and brave Enforcers who rallied and rid us of the pirate threat! Cheers to all you stalwart men and women.”

The crowd cheered and veterans saluted. Then they made the mistake of shouting and chanting “speech.” The men and women nodded at their captain and he stood up. Hushing quickly, the crowd stared intensely at the hardened young man about to address them.

“I raise a glass to Commandant Tethro.”

Gasps and quieted whispers cascaded from the Assembly and through the cantina. He was almost booed before his voice said quietly; so quiet it demanded respect and attentiveness.

“You were a symptom Tethro, and while I hated you, I don’t blame you. We were enemies, but you commanded respect. I will see that the galaxy is changed not only for Jothra, Lorne, Alderaan, Caamas, The Carida System, Dac, and so many more innocents, but also for you. For you who feel that the only place you can find in the galaxy is one of pillaging and plundering because the system, built around religions, has betrayed you. They’ve betrayed all of us. I vow on your life, pirate, I will have my hand in healing this galaxy. I don’t know how but I swear on this day that I will see to it that The Morellian Commonwealth is a lightning rod for change. We will have justice!” Elijah raised his voice and hammered his table. “Where were the Sith when we needed their swift and strong hands!? Where were the Jedi when we were oppressed and fighting for our lives!? We were left alone to watch our families get torn apart. We were left alone to watch our lives crumble around us. We were left alone to deal with a threat that we by all means had no real way of combating. I’ll tell you where they were. The Jedi were praying and the Sith were kriffing each other. It’s time the people of the galaxy rise up and say, ‘no more’. No longer will the galaxy’s fate be determined by the views of dogmatic magicians. No longer will we stand idly by as our children are sent to war under command of a zealot. No longer will we allow for the slaughter of innocents, the rape of our way of life, and the wanton destruction of our livelihood.” Elijah smashed his glass on the floor, startling the patrons nearest him. “I will not drink to our victory today. I throw down my glass in protest, for our job is not finished and our successes today and throughout the past year are but a new beginning birthed in blood. A new beginning that catapults us to lay siege to the status quo and break down the inadequacies of the Magocracy. We will show the galaxy once and for all that no matter how small the voice, or how distant the planet. Our lives matter!”

Impassioned cheers erupted in the cantina and Elijah held his hands up after they settled.

“When you get to your homes, spread the word. Morellia will be in the fight to restore sanity to the galaxy. Train, for I will be taking my leave of you for a short period to seek out the weaknesses of our enemies. When it is time to strike, I will call upon you. Keep your weapons oiled, your speeders charged, and your ships fueled. For it will be at a moments notice.”

Elijah sat at the table of his team and appeared deep in thought. The speaker of the Assembly approached the table.

“Sir…captain… what did you mean you will be ‘taking your leave’ of us?”

Elijah smiled at the aging man.

“I meant exactly that. There’s word of rebellion. Rebellion against the Sith Empire, I mean to join it. Beyond that, I act only with the Assembly’s permission. We have little to offer but if they are a just and true organization and not just another band of lunatics, I will offer the resources of Morellian Commonwealth in the fight against the Empire.”

The speaker was taken aback.

“On whose authority would you offer these resources? You mean to sentence us to death and mundicide.”

“Mister Speaker, on no authority. I leave it to the people and the assembly to decide whether it is in our best interest to offer aid. However I feel as if they are in agreement with me. Propose the notion quietly during the next chair gathering and I assure you, your constituency will demand that you support the initiative. Speaker, I will not abuse my influence, but I will utilize it for the betterment of all species.”

The speaker’s shoulders relaxed slightly.

“Captain Hardin, you know I don’t disagree with you on any particular point and we appreciate all you have done to ensure our security and we will stand with the people should they decide to follow you into this mess. Ultimately, however the decision does lie with them.”

Elijah put his hand on the man’s shoulder.

“Syrrol, it should never be any other way.”

With that the two shared a brief embrace and parted after Hardin clapped him strongly on his shoulder.

It was a few hours before the cantina began to empty. Elijah asked Dan-L to drive his bike home and stated that he would rather walk tonight. He strolled thoughtfully. His world was going to change dramatically tomorrow. The galaxy waits for no man.

 

[ItsUhTrap42]

Hardin slept hard into the late morning. When he woke he went into his living space and Dan-L was working around the kitchenette. He rubbed his face and wiped his eyes. Dan turned to him, offering a nerf steak and some eggs. Eli accepted it and ate in silence until Dan broke it.

“Elijah, are you sure about leaving home?”

Elijah put his plate down and rubbed the scruff of his beard. “I’m not leaving home Dan, these are my people. I must do everything I can to ensure that they maintain a safe environment in which to live. I cannot do that if the galaxy lacks sufficient oversight. The Commonwealth will continue to suffer from outside threats until sufficient enough governance can provide that oversight.”

“Captain, you don’t have to explain it to me. I’m behind you no matter where you go.”

Elijah took a large bite and spoke through a mouthful, “good, prep the ship, we leave at midday. I’m going to the Enforcer office, call the team, have them meet me there.”

Dan offered an affirmative and made the arrangements. Elijah mounted his bike and headed down to the office. It was time to put someone in charge while he was away.

 

[Oreus]

Rodric found himself once more on a world he wanted nothing to do with. Thus was the life of being on the move. Morellia was nowhere-land as far as the Mandalorian was concerned. It was necessary to find somewhere remote after his last major fight with the Imperium. Someone must have spun around blindfolded and pointed at this world. Fantastic choice, in his opinion. The usual weaponry and armor couldn't be worn here. That would ruin his attempt at hiding in plain sight. Instead, Rod wore a loose-fitting cloak over a standard set of freelancer clothes. He wore a belt-holster with his Westar-35's in them as well, but kept them covered by the outer cloak.

I need to find a cover job, even if just temporary. he thought to himself as he made his way through the streets. Maybe I can find work at the local enforcement office. Law is always looking for fighters to help out.

He approached the office apprehensively. This wasn't the rebellion he signed up for. This wasn't the action he was looking for nor the revenge he sought. It was work that in the end mattered very little in the fight against the Sith. There was a good reason for this in the end. If he were too much of a presence in the fight against the Imperials, they would start looking for him rather than seeing him as a simple Rebel Soldier. Laying low was the best way to avoid having his face and armor posted all over the galaxy for hunters.

As he approached the door, a man on a speederbike pulled up behind him. Appeared to be a local. Rodric turned to look him over closely before speaking up in greeting. The man seemed to be tied to the local enforcement crews. A good first impression might be the key between acceptance and raising suspicion. It was also a good time to hide his accent as best he could.

"Greetings," he said simply. "Coming in here too?"

 

[ItsUhTrap42]

Elijah parked his speeder and swung his leg over keying it into lockdown. The Morellian Commonwealth wasn't very populated. He didn't recognize this man, but that was no reason to treat him as a hostile. Hardin smiled at the man, brushed the dust off of his hat as he removed it and bowed.

"You give yourself away, stranger. There aren't many around here aren’t privy to me and mine. Especially after the helluva night we had last. The name is Elijah Hardin and I am Captain of the Morellian Enforcers stationed on Morellia. How may we be of service to you? I must warn you, I don’t have an over abundance of time. My team will be arriving shortly, I have to deal with some structuring issues as I have business off-world, but any assistance I may be able to offer you, I will render.”

Elijah held out his hand for the stranger. The man had obviously seen his share of hardship. His weathered face told more than any conversation could. While it was apparent he meant no hostility, there was something hidden behind his eyes. Not that it was any of Eli’s business, but he kept on his guard. His planet had seen enough of violent strangers for one season.

 

[Oreus]

The man was right. Population on this planet seemed pretty sparse compared to what he was used to from his travels. That had been part of the point for him coming here, of course. As luck would have it, the first person to speak to him was Captain of the Enforcers. It perplexed Rodric a bit as to why a local lawman would have off-world business. Best not to judge too quickly though. It was very unlikely it was in relation to his enemies. Either way, it would be best to avoid using a real name that might tie him to past actions.

"Perhaps just who I was lookin' for then," he said, trying to match a similar accent. "I'm, uh, looking for a place to work and crash. Taking a break from my.. travels."

That wasn't suspicious. Maybe I should have just yelled my affiliation and reason for my visit. he thought to himself after he fumbled over his speech.

Rodric had little reason to distrust an enforcer from some independent world out in the rim. Experience taught him to be cautious anyways. Everyone was looking to make a quick credit it seemed and the Imperium might be willing to pay if Rebels are dragged to their feet. Not that Rodric would let that happen to him. It was the attempt at doing so that would really be bothersome. For now, caution and tact were best if he could manage it. Gauging this man's intentions towards the Imperium would be important in deciding how he worked among them.

"Would you be the one to speak with on that?" he added, trying to keep his Mandalorian accent hidden as he finally returned the gesture for a handshake. "Name's Carud. Happy to assist in the good fight if you'll have a stranger."

 

[ItsUhTrap42]

Hardin picked up on some minute misgivings about whole truths from the man, Carud. He couldn’t place the etymology. Considering the man’s desire for discretion it was probably a pseudonym anyway. It mattered not. Elijah could judge character and this man appeared to have no ill will towards him or his. However, the Enforcers were not an agency for the random passerby.

“Crash is easy there’s an inn downtown I can get you set up. We can find you work, however as far as the Enforcers are concerned, it is a brotherhood with loyalties very deep and regretfully we don’t typically deputize. I don’t presume to expect you know much about us; we are not big players in the grand scope of the galaxy. The future may change that. However, until I can begin my…travels, our responsibilities remain pretty close to home. There is plenty to do as far as rebuilding is concerned. Karking Sith refused to send us aid and we were forced to deal with a pirate occupation up until…well…yesterday. Now we’re stuck cleaning up the mess. I tell you stranger, if we don’t get some stability in this galaxy every town on every inhabited planet is gonna look like my downtown here. I pray you aren’t an imperial sympathizer; you don’t get many out here in wild space. I apologize if I overstepped my bounds, recent events have made me much more political by nature and war has made me candid.”

 

[Oreus]

"Candid is deadly in our current state," he teased, finding this enforcer to be suspiciously open about being anti-Sith. "Though I am intrigued as to why a local enforcer has business off-world. If we're being candid. I don't imagine you foolish enough to go yell at the Imperium in person."

This captain was just as suspicious as he felt he came across himself. What could he possibly be planning away from home? It was either bold and stupid or he wanted to join the Rebellion. Rodric still wasn't sure if those were different things. The Inn is the first place you look when trying to find a run-away on a back world planet. Though it would likely be a good temporary fix if he did end up staying here long. Part of him even fantasized about waiting out the war in peace. He didn't want to see more friends burned into nothingness for what seemed like no reason.

This guy will get himself killed if he is thinking of using his crew to fight the Sith alone..

 

[ItsUhTrap42]

Elijah almost pointed out the irony in the word ‘state’ but dismissed the notion. He did pick up on the word ‘our’ though and tried to think quickly. Were his brain a servomotor, it would have overheated. Perhaps he may build an ally here. Strangers hear things he didn’t. The right words were crucial, but he had nothing to fear on his home-world, not yet.

“If I thought it would help, I would go to Coruscant and post grievances on the courts door. Alas, it will not help. So I will be going off-world to find like minded individuals who will assist me in bringing about social justice and reform. I’ve watched friends die because our government is so wrapped up in religious wars that we cannot even police our criminals or maintain our infrastructures. I just pray there are peoples out there who aren’t so caught up in the brainwash of the current groupthink that we can bring about some real progress and not just trade Sith rule for Jedi rule. The cycle must be broken, even if I need to break it myself. Magicians don’t scare me. Ignorant complacency does.”

 

[Oreus]

Rodric let out a chuckle at the idea of posting grievances on the doors for the Sith to read. He could image a few different results. None of them worked out well for the poster. Despite the man's apparent isolation on this world, he had a good view of what needed done. Perhaps he could introduce him to his friends back in the Rebellion. They could always use more people. It was a tough call though and this could still be a rouse to get him to admit to guilt against the Imperium. Guess that was why he carried pistols and always identified closest cover.

"That's a pretty respectable goal," he admitted finally, eying the man closely still. "I've heard there is a Rebellion organizing and fighting. They're mostly separate from the Jedi, though I don't think Jedi want to rule the Galaxy."

Perhaps the fact that he knew so much was enough of a hint. His insider knowledge might strike the man as proof of membership. Perhaps even scare him into a fight if he was trying to draw that type of thing out. Either way, he was glad to drop a hint. It was fun to watch the wheels turn in his eyes. It sounded like he had a whole crew of people. The more the merrier. During that last battle, he watched quite a few valiant militiamen get burned to bones. Their numbers could use a boost.

Hopefully I'm not just giving this crew an in so they can get burnt into nothingness as well..

 

[ItsUhTrap42]

The Morellian saw the man be uneasy for a minute and dismissed it. He knew what this was. This was the force sending him exactly what he needed at exactly the right time. The cautiousness of the man suggested however that this rebellion that he speaks of has very little, if any, real combat capabilities and/or power. Getting the Morellian Commonwealth to join the rebellion as a whole would take backing from other sectors that could contribute resources to help defend it, in the same way that other sectors would require help to bolster their own. He couldn’t offer Morellia itself, but he could offer himself and enough men to crew his freighter. The Commonwealth would have to come later. Elijah had some prep-work to do.

“So I’ve heard. Little snippets of rebellion reach as far as wild space, stranger. If only I had the contacts off-world to meet with, I could help change it from rebellion, to resistance. Then, after we convince other sectors that there is competent leadership willing to help unite worlds against the oppression, we can change resistance to revolution. Have you heard how they plan to escalate their tactics from hit and run guerilla warfare to something a little more…permanent? Holonet reports show Naboo a warzone and the Sith seem to have set the rebellion back a bit in that engagement. How do they plan to turn the tide?”

Elijah was gambling now. He had shown his hand before the turn, if this man were an enemy, there would be a fight. However, if he was who Hardin thought he was, that would mean The Force was on his side. And that is good.

 

[ItsUhTrap42]

The man became rather skittish at the degrees to which Elijah regarded the Sith, turned, and without warning ran off into the hot summers day.

"Well that was odd. What a strange man.”

At that moment, Dan and his team arrived in front of the Enforcer office. Dan spoke first.

“Captain, you have a communiqué from The Assembly, they wish to meet you in private at Parliament.”

Elijah was taken aback for a moment, he was prepared to leave planet. He didn’t have time for the Assembly’s politics. He looked at Dan, “Do you know what they want?”

“They said they have a mission for you, sir.”

The Captain turned and mounted his bike and sped off to Parliament. Upon arriving he opened the door and The Assembly was sitting in their standard meeting room and appeared to have been waiting for him. The Speaker motioned for him to take a seat in the chair assigned to the Captain of the Enforcers. His usual seat for political meetings, it was in this seat in which Jothra had been gunned down. This seat was his life’s accomplishment, albeit through battlefield commission.

“Captain…Eli…you caused quite a ruckus last night in the cantina. We met this morning to discuss what you had said.”

Eli opened his mouth to speak but the Speaker, Syrrol Ponti held up his hand for him to wait.

“…and we agree with you. We have a mission for you. Essentially you will be doing what you were keen on doing: seeking out the rebellion and offering Morellian assistance. However, as you well know, we cannot openly endorse a rebellion at the risk of bringing chaos and destruction to The Commonwealth a million times worse than what the pirates delivered. So your mission is as follows and you will accomplish it in the name of the people of the Morellian Commonwealth. Find this rebellion, use it to build a network of political contacts on influential worlds and get as many as you can to pledge their signatures, peoples, systems and resources to a charter seceding officially from Sith rule. If you find one currently exists, evaluate the risks involved and report back to us so as we may render necessary aid and function to the permanent solution of the greater failing system. I needn’t say that all of this is off-the-record. Do you accept?”

Elijah was awestruck. He had expected support, but not such open endorsement from the Legislature. The Morellian Captain stood and saluted bringing his fist to his shoulder.

“Whole-heartedly, Mister Speaker.”

The Speaker stood and the rest of The Assembly followed suit. Syrrol smiled at his old friend.

“You will not be alone. We will provide you with fuel, provisions, supplies, and we have allotted you an additional two enforcers to take with you as your support, as well as Dan-L of course. Naturally since I’m sure it would come to arms otherwise, you may take Susannah, her ownership has now been officially transferred from The Commonwealth to you, Captain. You are now our ambassador in these trying times. Choose your team wisely, find the future and secure it. You’re dismissed.”

Eli turned sharply took a breath and headed out the meeting room doors and as Parliament grew smaller behind him as he rode away, a sense of nobility came over him. He had a job to do, and come damnation or death, he would get it done.

 

[ItsUhTrap42]

The Captain returned to the Enforcer office and sat down without a word. His team turned to look at him quietly, waiting.

“I’ve been assigned a mission of great import. I must be on my way immediately. I need two volunteers to come with me.”

The entire team stepped forward.

“Torie, Beata, you’re up. I hope you guys can keep your bickering down while we’re out there. I can’t have your relationship compromising our mission.” Eli smiled at the two. They looked stricken then took each other’s hands.

“Sir, we didn’t know you knew.”

Elijah almost laughed, “Everyone knew guys. Consider this your honeymoon. Now go collect your things and meet me at Susannah. We’ll be leaving within the hour.” Eli turned to Dan-L, the YVH looked on him. It was so hard to tell sometimes that he was a droid, whoever developed that synthskin was impressive. “Dan, I need you to get to the ship and get her prepped to go. Stop by the house on your way and grab my apocalypse kit and my trunk, please.”

Dan nodded and was off. Eli looked at the men in front of him and smirked.

“Buck up gents. Karsin, you’re it. Keep them busy and out of trouble. The rest of you, follow his lead until I get back, if pirates show up, get me on the long-range comm and I’ll be back as soon as I can. Hopefully with help this time.”

Elijah embraced them all individually and shook their hands. Upon arriving at the hangar, Beata and Torie were walking crates up Susannah and into her hold. Eli could see Dan in the cockpit going through the start-up sequence. Torie hailed Eli and called to him.

“Captain, two more crates and we’re good to go.”

Eli nodded and picked up the penultimate crate and carried it in. Walking to the cockpit he clapped Dan on the shoulder. The droid spun in the cockpit chair.

“Captain, where to?”

Hardin told the droid to set course for the Bonadan system on the Hyadin Way. They could start their search there, get some much-needed news from the core and hopefully meet some sort of contacts that could help him on his mission. Moments later the ramp came up and all were aboard. The ships thrusters hissed as it lifted out of the hangar and shot into the sunset swiftly breaking atmosphere and shot into hyperspace.

 

[ItsUhTrap42]

A sharp crack as the VCX-820 Escort Freighter, Susannah exited hyperspace above Bonadan. The comm. Traffic was busy with disputes over landing permissions, proper authorization for restricted areas and something about a lost shipment of ore. The console flashed with an incoming transmission. Dan-L let it come through.

The customs agent spoke in a practiced tone, “Please state the nature of your visit to Bonadan.”

Dan responded honestly, “Business and some rest. We’ve had a long journey.”

With a bored reply the agent responded, “I’m transmitting landing procedures and a designated hangar. Hangar dues are 100 credits a day. Please make sure to check in with the port authority immediately upon arrival. Failure to do so will result in fines and/or imprisonment. Thank you for visiting Bonadan.”

The ship broke from the milling traffic and descended into atmo. Dan landed Susannah at the designated coordinates and engaged her lock-down procedures. Eli corralled his crew in the mess, “Torie, Beata, talk to the port authority and arrange refueling and service to the ship. We’re not going to waste any money on lodging; we’ll sleep in quarters. Have fresh foods brought aboard and see if you can locate a military surplus shop, or weapons store. It’s about time we got some heavier equipment. If you locate and adequate business I have made a list of items I want you to acquire.”

Torie and Beata looked down at the datapad Eli handed them and read it quickly, “Sir, did you not see the inventory The Assembly allotted us?”

“No I haven’t checked it yet, why?”

Beata looked at Torie, then back to the Captain, “Sir, they gave us a good deal of combat gear. We have two rocket launchers, war armor for all of us, including Dan here. We have multiple repeaters and even a stationary-gun weapon-system. We are provisioned as a war vessel, captain. I don’t think there will be anything better in a shop on Bonadan, sir.”

“Very well, go over the list anyway and cross reference it with the inventory. Solve any discrepancies. Since that shouldn’t take as long as I thought I want you to go to the nearest net café, and run a search to see if you can find any rebellion activity in the area. Report back to me every hour on the hour. One missed interval and I’ll assume you’re in trouble. Understood?”

The duo nodded an affirmative and went on their way. When Elijah came down the ramp of the heavily armed freighter the port authority looked a little on edge. “What…exactly is the nature of your visit, er…” the authority stammered.
Eli smiled kindly, just because Suzie was mean didn’t mean he had to be. He held out his hand and took the Authority’s. “Call me Eli. We’re pathfinders. We’re looking for a few days rest and some fresh food. We’ve been out in wild space for almost four months and ration packs are getting low. Are there any new weapon laws on Bonadan that I should be aware of?”

The small rodian relaxed a great deal after the handshake. “Just do your best to keep them to yourself is all. Will you be unloading any cargo?”

“No sir, loading hopefully after our visit. I believe my crew has spoken to you about refit?”

He offered a bow, “Yes sir, we will see to it immediately after payment.”

Eli handed him his cred card and the man touched it to his datapad and bowed once more and was on his way. Hardin looked back at Suzie and smiled. She really was a sight to be seen, he was glad to have her out in real space where she belonged and not just patrolling the Commonwealth. The VCX series were forces to be reckoned with and if it ever came, which he was sure it would, to a firefight he was happy to have such a formidable ship to beat the Sith back with. Eli saluted her and turned to Dan staring.

“Captain, did you just smile and salute at a thing?”

Eli guffawed, and raised an eyebrow to his droid, “I’m not even going to point out the irony…”

“I take offense to that captain.”

Eli smacked him up the back of his head lightly, “Yeah! So does my Suzie, she has an AI doesn’t she?”

“Yes, captain. Let me guess, we’re going to a cantina?”

Hardin removed and patted his hat and reapplied it, “Where else would we be able to get Corellian Brandy. My flask is empty.” Dan-L removed his datapad from his satchel and tapped it a few times, locating the nearest one and led the way.

 

[ItsUhTrap42]

They had been sitting in the cantina for a few hours. Beata and Torie had checked in at their intervals right as scheduled. Eli hadn’t expected much from the people he was talking to but the few that knew anything of the rebellion spoke of a decisive battle being waged over Naboo. It took every ounce Eli had not to recall everyone to the ship and make way to Naboo immediately. However, the ease at which he could be mistaken by the rebellion as a Sith, and the mere uncertainty as to what he would be jumping his crew blindly into told him not to. Rather, to exercise restraint and gather information first.

It wasn’t until Dan returned from a conversation that he was ready to pack up and try another location. “Let’s go Dan, this is a dead-end.”

“On the contrary, captain. I believe I may have made some headway. There is rumor of a private cantina with rebel sympathies just up the way. I had to spend some of our credits but I believe it to be a solid lead.”

The Captain tossed back his drink and placed a cred coin on the table. “What are we waiting for?”

“Sir, they say its invitation only.”

Eli smiled at his friend, “Just our luck, I happen to have one.”

“Sir?”

“No I really don’t, but we’re going anyway.”

The Morellian keyed his comm and had Dan-L transmit the coordinates to Beata and Torie and told them to meet them there in thirty minutes. It didn’t take them that long to get there so Eli struck up a cigarra outside the cantina. Halfway through his tabac the couple approached them. “Sir? What’s the plan?” Beata asked.

“Well, we go in, make some contacts and see what we have to do to earn their trust.”

They began to walk through the door when a large devaronian blocked their entry. “What business do you have in the Starbird?”

“I have a friend in there waiting for me. The matter is very urgent.”

The devaronian smirked, “Do you now, and with whom might that be?”

“You know, he never gave me his name, it was of the clandestine nature. Now you know more than you need to and you need to think about who frequents your establishment and what they might do if their business was hindered by a punk bouncer.”

Obviously angered but not dumb enough to try something with the four of them standing there the bouncer waved his hand. “Fine, but only one of you may enter, do your business and be on your way.”

Eli smiled at him, tossed him a cred coin and walked through the door. Everyone in the cantina noticed him, took stock and went back to their drinks. This wasn’t going to be a simple walk in the park. He sat down at the bar and ordered another brandy. It wasn’t seconds before a dark-skinned spacer walked up and sat next to him, speaking sideways. “What’s your business here, Morellian?”

Hardin was on his guard, this man knew his way around the galaxy. “I’m just having a drink looking to exchange some conversation with like-minded individuals, may I inquire your business here, as well?”

“No you cannot. Of what type of mind are you?”

They wouldn’t trust him if he just came right out and said it, he would have to work this delicately. “I’m of the mind that I like brandy, do you?”

“This isn’t an exchange of interviews. State your business or I’ll have any one of my friends in here dump you out back.”

Eli’s hand dropped to his .48 and he felt the bar notice. They didn’t react, but the air changed.

“You best rethink that strategy, boy. You came to our bar, and Malloc out there let you in. You a joiner?”

Hardin smiled in his brain. “No sir, never met a killik in my life.”

The man actually laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s funny! Relax boys, at least he has a sense of humor! I meant, the only reason strangers come in here is if they’re Sith spies, or looking to kill themselves some.”

“I’m not looking to kill anyone.”

The man sat back, “Then what are you looking for?”

“Balance.”

He smiled at Eli, “Oh yeah? Balance to what? Or of what?”

“Governance.”

The smile turned to a scowl, “You some kind of politician?”

“Some kind. Some kind with a slugthrower.”

The smile came back, “My kind of politics. Barkeep, give us a minute.”

The bartender finished polishing his glass, topped off the men’s drinks and went to the other end of the bar. The man raised his glass. “To balance.”

Eli raised his, tapped the bar with it and took a drink. After the man finished his drink he swiveled his stool to face Eli. “To what ends are you willing to go to achieve this balance?”

“I’m looking for allies to help me in doing so, until I have a gauge of how much I have to work with, I cannot begin to answer that.”

They knew what each other wanted but the game was customary and Elijah rather liked it anyway. The spacer studied him for a second. “My name is Gupta, I may know a way you can gain some of these allies. I’ll have details sent to your ship, if it’s what you’re looking for, follow it to the letter, if I’m wrong, you’re dead.”

“Eli. We’ll be in touch.”

The man finished his drink, “no…we won’t”

 

[ItsUhTrap42]

Captain Hardin explained what had happened as he and his small crew made their way back to their ship. Dan quietly stepped up alongside Eli. “Captain, we are being followed.”

“Of course we are, Gupta is having someone tail us so he knows what ship to send this mysterious information to.”

The trip back to the ship was uneventful. They boarded and sat around patiently for a little over an hour until an indicator flashed communicating to them that someone outside the ship wished an audience. Eli switched to the comm just outside the airlock. “May I help you?”

“Yes sir, my name is B-56IL, courier for a company here on Bonadan, I have a parcel for you.”

Hardin called back to the droid, “Leave it on the floor, I’ll get it.”

“I’m sorry sir, but my instructions are to verify your identity before passing on the item.”

The Captain nodded to Dan and the two rose, walked to the ramp and lowered it allowing the droid up. Dan had a menacing blaster rifle trained on the droid as he climbed the ramp not showing any sign of being phased. “Verification Complete.”

“Fine, where is this parcel.”

The droid began a recorded message. “My name is not important, what is important is that we’ve been tracking you for weeks, ever since you left Morellia. An operative stopping through there received word that your system had plans of joining the rebellion. Might I suggest that you treat your interests a little bit more carefully in the future? However, we cannot pass up the opportunity of the Commonwealth joining our cause. You seem the capable sort and you are certainly well equipped. In order for us to consider dealing with you in the future, you must first prove your ability to get a simple job of diplomacy done. Perhaps not diplomacy in the traditional respect but the job is as follows: The New Sith Imperium encompasses hundreds upon hundreds of worlds at this point in time, whereas we only have outposts on three locations. If we are to spread our cause, we must first prove that we are here for the people. There is a small settlement on Tatooine named Mos Kire that is in desperate need of medical supplies. One of our operatives in the Civilian Resistance managed to acquire a decent shipment of various medical supplies which should keep Mos Kire well-supplied for three months. The city is without a spaceport, so the supplies will need to be transported via speeder truck to the settlement. Another thing: The city has recently been attacked by Tusken Raiders as they have been multiple times the past year. If you can spare the time, see if there is anything you can do about the Tusken Raider encampment not far from the Mos Kire.”