The Reunion (Open to the Midnight Men)

[Santoro]

The Phoenix streaked out of hyperspace, broadcasting a friendly signal. Navigating cautiously through the protective asteroid field, the ship passed unhindered through the magnetic lock, and touching down in the Phoenix's usual spot. Caden looked out the viewport, and laughed a bit, shaking his head in amazement. In front of them stood Daniel Santoro.

He was wearing loose, white clothing from head to toe. He had his cane out, and was leaning a little too heavily on it, obviously fighting to stand- but with every victory came some struggle. He smiled brightly, and ran his free hand through his hair, his deep green eyes scanning the ship with boyish glee, excitement filling the air.

 

[Emma Lou]

Adriana came down the ramp slowly, but when she saw Santoro she walked a little faster. She probably got to him too fast and when she threw her arms around him she knew she was probably hurting him. She put her head on his shoulder and whispered into his ear.

"I am so sorry, Daniel, I am so sorry"

 

[The Balance]

OOC: Going to bed soon but I'll make this last post before I do

Kyle walked through the hallways after being dismissed by Ruukil and Ayha, and from the grapevine he had heard that Adriana, Santoro, and Caden were back. Making his pace brisker, his walk turned into a light jog, the excitement and anxiousness building up inside him.

Coming to Phoenix's usual landing pad he stopped to see none other than those three there, but seeing as they had a moment going on all Kyle did was lean against the door and grin, happy about their return, but of course there would also be the hard spot as to why Kyle and the rest of the gang didn't try to save her first.

 

[Santoro]

Pain or not, Santoro dropped the cane as she made contact, and wrapped his arms around her waist, closing his eyes and holding her tightly. He didn't say anything at first, shaking slightly. He finally nodded.

"I know... I know. It's alright." He rubbed her back a little.

"I'm just glad you're safe. You had me going there, for a while."

 

[Emma Lou]

Adriana knew in the back of her mind that she was not alright however Santoro did not need to know of those thoughts. She just wanted to get back to work and put what had happened in the past.

She pulled away from Santoro and saw Kyle. She had mixed feelings about seeing him. He had not sent people to rescue her, but deep down she knew that Santoro would never had allowed it. She decided that it was not in her best interest to hold a grudge.

She limped over to Kyle and stood in front of him with her hand on her side. All the pain she had covered up while with Caden and then Santoro was starting to break down her barriers.

"Midnight Man, I apologize for getting captured and therefore neglecting my duties as the Midnight Maiden"

 

[Trakon]

Ragnar had seen a ship come down and as such went to investigate. He had not seen many of the Midnight Men Order's ship and wanted to see some more.

 

[Santoro]

Santoro bent awkwardly, and picked up his cane, resting on it once more. He sighed, and looked around.

Sooner or later I'll need a wheelchair. He took a deep breath, and waited, watching out of the corner of his eye as Caden approached, and stood next to him.

"You look good."

"Better than you. What happened to your face?"

"Angry woman."

"We've all been there. Throw her shoe?"

"No, a fist."

"Ouch. Stronger than I figured."

The two continued in hushed voices, watching as the Midnight Men poured in.

 

[The Balance]

Nodding as Ragnar walked in he turned his attention back to Adriana. She looked like she was starting to feel pain, and rightfully so by the look of the wounds on her. In fact it looked like all three of them had sustained some sort of injury.

To his relief he noticed that she didn't bring up him not sending people in to help her, although he feared she eventually would. Thinking of what to say first, it wasn't really her fault that she was captured, it was mostly his, he was the one who had sent them into the city. He was the one who had caused all of them to be like this, trying to pull it to the back of his mind he couldn't, when he tried to speak all his lips could do were utter the words "I'm sorry"

 

[Emma Lou]

Adriana lifted a sore arm and put it on Kyle's shoulder. She knew that he must feel bad, but it was not his fault.

"It's okay. I will be fine and I have learned a lesson from this whole thing"

She felt like changing the subject now. There was absolutely no point in dwelling on what had happened.

"So, what is our next mission?"

 

[The Balance]

Nodding his head he looked up from his feet and thought about their next mission. A lot was depending on it, if it was a success, then a huge step would be made toward freeing Kuat. He thought about putting it off until later, because she looked like she needed some medical attention. Finally deciding that since she was the second-in-command and all he started to speak his voice becoming more calm and steady, "I know this sounds cliche, but we are aiding two other groups in the capture of a supply convoy shipping kolto to Kuat. The amount of ships the enemy is using and the amount of kolto being shipped certain to us for we have agents there. But they wish for it to be a straight out naval battle, while I wish something more subtle. But before you put up any argument I think it would be best if you received medical treatment."

 

[Santoro]

Upon the words 'naval battle', Santoro's head turned quickly away from the conversation with Caden to give a look to Kyle. He looked back to his nephew, and shook his head lightly, then looked up to the Phoenix.

"Come on. Let's finish the work on her fine sensors, and work on those tibanna gas conversions." The two headed off slowly towards the laser cannons, and began opening hatches, breaking out the hydrospanners.

 

[Emma Lou]

Adriana did not think she needed medical attention before starting an argument.

"Do you realize that this mission is basically what we just did? We could have even more casualties since the ships will be full of people!"

Adriana was on a role now.

"Not to mention that the Akegata probably will be close by"

The thought of seeing anyone from that group made her blood curdle. She did not want to see the last mission happen all over again.

"I just think it is a bad idea, Kyle"

 

[The Balance]

Kyle grinned as he heard his own argument thrown right at him. What Kyle heard Adriana saying now was very similar to what he had said in argument against the unified Kuat rebellion, they were scheduled to have a meeting before the mission, and he would state his concerns there. Letting her finish speaking he said, "I know, everything you are saying has been said before, a meeting is scheduled before the mission where I will voice my concerns once again."

 

[Emma Lou]

Adriana nodded.

"I am coming to the meeting"

 

[The Balance]

Nodding, Kyle had expected as much, Adriana was not one to let things go easily. Replying to her Kyle said, "I know." Then realizing the pain she must be in, he motioned toward the medical facilities and said, "Now if you would be so kind, I think all of us would feel better if you received some medical help."

 

[Emma Lou]

Adriana nodded. She agreed with Kyle and she certainly did not feel like discussing things with Santoro right now.

"Deal"

She smiled and walked off toward the infirmary. She looked horrible as she entered the med bay. Her brown hair was dirty and matted with blood, her clothes were torn, and he body ached with infection that was starting to set into her wounds.

(Do we have a medical person?)

 

[The Balance]

OOC: No, but I was thinking of making one myself if we don't get one soon

As Kyle walked Adriana to the medical bay to make sure she did not pass out on the way there. Handing her over to the medical personal he noticed they were a little short staffed with the majority of them being droids. He would have to recruit people for this, then seeing that she would be okay he walked toward his office to make sure the meeting was still on, but before he left he spoke to the medical personal and Adriana saying, "I'll be in my office if you need me."

 

[Santoro]

Santoro looked from out of the access hatch, and watched as Adriana left the hangar. He sighed, and it hurt, both physically and mentally. He put his head in his hand, and squeezed his eyes shut, sitting back. The tibanna conversion was relatively easy, and Caden was already touching up the last one.

"Maybe we should get out of here, Caden... We don't belong. A failed Jedi and one of the galaxy's most wanted... What else could we bring to this place except trouble?" The Jedi paused.

"Problem is, we don't have anywhere to go. Galaxy is a horrible place, huh?"

 

[Emma Lou]

Adriana was released a few hours later. There was not much the med droids could do for her since it was mostly emotional pain. They patched up her cuts and she knew that she would survive. She headed to Santoro's room, hoping he was there.

She knocked on the durasteel door and waited.

 

[Santoro]

"Come in."

The door swished open, and revealed only darkness. All of the lights in the room were off, and barely enough light came in through the doorway to show Santoro's silhouette. He was in a meditative position in the middle of his room, and he looked up to her. Suddenly, a sense of power and strength disappeared, one Adriana didn't even recognize was there... It must have been encompassing the entire base. He smiled slightly, and dropped his hands to his sides.

He had shed his white tunic, revealing the extent of the damage. He was wrapped entirely from belly to armpit in white, sterile bandages, covered in bacta. Long pink lines covered his torso, already healed by a bacta immersion- he would be mostly scar free. He remained in his white pants, but had left his boots near the door, freeing up his body for thought. He sat back on his haunches, and waited.