Ask Mirial: Gathering Materials

[Nykoria Tallis]

"We're out of lightspeed in 3... 2... 1..." A brief stop, a wall of stars turning into lines and forming a corridor. And then a familiar jolt as the ship exited from hyperspace to real-space. The chitter of the blue-and-white BG astromech behind the pilot's seat—and more importantly, the translation of that chitter on the screen—confirmed the location. The snowy planet growing in the front window by the minute was Mirial, the intended destination.

Kori took a deep breath. She had been pretty anxious about the mission ever since she got assigned to it. A negotiation with Mirialan military command for some combat vessels? Admittedly, it was for a good cause—to help the fledging anti-slaver movement. It added points in favor of the Jedi Order, but probably not enough to secure the deal without some haggling. Even if the vessels in question were old enough, the Zeltron wasn't really certain how to approach that job. Why have they even picked me, of all the Jedi who could do it?

The times when she had acted as a negotiator were few and far between. Perhaps the Council sought to fill that gap in her experience? Or maybe they intended to make use of Kori's Zeltron heritage. Her species was generally liked; in no small part due to the pheromones they exuded. Those pheromones had calming effect on people and made the Zeltrons more likable. Perhaps the Council hoped to get an edge in the negotiations that way? No, too much scheming. More likely it was just a setup by a fellow Knight Max Tionson. He must have told someone about their mission to Tatooine, and that Knight Nykoria Tallis had a way with words. Of course, there was always a less convoluted explanation—it could be that the Order had nobody else to send.

Thoughts like that had kept the Zeltron mostly preoccupied and silent throughout the flight. Luckily, the trip to Mirial hadn't taken much longer than a day. Not even close to being confined to the ship for a week to reach Batuu. Otherwise, Kori would've already tried to start a conversation with her passengers. But for now, she was content with silence... Which was promptly interrupted by the sound of incoming audio transmission.

—This is Mirial Orbital Control. Please identify yourself.
—This is BNG Y-22 Serendipity. I've been told that you'd be expecting us.
—Stand by, Serendipity... Affirmative. I'm sending you the coordinates and the route to your landing pad. Your escorts will meet you when you enter atmosphere. Please do not deviate from the assigned flight path.

Escorts? That sounded ominous. Then again, it was the military command they were meeting. Any site where the meeting would take place was probably a restricted area, and with strict procedures. The last thing she needed was to deviate from the navpoints on manual flight through a restricted area. A chirp from the astromech indicated that the route had been provided, and the ship was ready to go the last leg of the route on auto-pilot. "Well, here goes nothing," the Zeltron shrugged, transferring control to her droid. At that rate, it wouldn't be long before they'd be on the ground.

@Raydo

 

[Kalen Novak]

The ship lurched slightly as they pulled out of hyperspace. He was glad for the trip to be over. He wasn't sure how anyone traveled for long distances in fighters like this. He would never complain about his Master's old busted freighter again. He briefly scanned the area for anything that looked like it could be hostile, but it was more of an excuse to do anything at that point.

"You think its going to be hard to convince them to come off of some of their stuff?" he asked the Knight in the pilot's chair after she had finished getting permission to land.

It seemed to take forever to reach the surface, even if it only took a couple of minutes. His legs ached to be stretched. When the cockpit finally opened, he was slapped by a stinging cold air that swept over the landing pad. "Suppose it would have been too much trouble to find ships somewhere warmer." he attempted to joke with the other Jedi. Some Jedi didn't mind joking, but there were others who were far too serious, might as well see where this one falls.

He pulled his cloak tighter around him as he waited for further instructions.

@Catbert

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

Kori had sensed her companion's feelings about the flight. She shared them somewhat, eager to set foot on the ground. The Serendipity was a patrol ship; better than a Y-Wing at what it did, but not nearly as convenient for travels as a shuttle or a freighter. However, the ship wasn't her own. That's what the Order had given her, and she had learned to make do. "It won't be a cakewalk," the Zeltron replied with a shrug, as the ship followed the pre-programmed descent trajectory towards the surface. "From my experience, regulations can be a royal schutta sometimes."

As the ship touched the ground and the cockpit opened, Kori took off the helmet of her flight suit. Leaving it in the ship, she opted for a hooded cloak of her own instead. That way, her and Kalen's outfits would be at least somewhat similar... on the surface. If I am to represent the Jedi Order, it's best to look the part. An armed Mirialan soldier was already on the way to them, so Kori just barely managed to slip in a smirk and a reply: "Probably not as much trouble as piloting each and every one of them to this sector."

"Your names and purpose here?" the soldiers asked; Kori would say it his manner of speaking was somewhere inbetween blatant and professional. "I'm Nykoria Tallis, and this is Kalen Novak. Here to meet Colonel Lakari." The answer appeared satisfactory, and the soldier gestured for the Jedi to follow him: across the bridge and towards the blast doors into the facility. Nykoria nodded and did just that, holding the hood over her head so that it wouldn't get swept away by the wind.

At the entrance, they were met by a few more soldiers standing guard by a metal detector. The green-skinned soldier to the Jedi again: "Relinquish all your weapons on this table. You'll get them on the way out." A brief scowl on the Zeltron's face made it clear that she wasn't comfortable with the prospect. Still, she was the Knight and had to show an example. She gave the Padawan a quick look and a nod, before getting to it.

First came the heavy stun pistol from the holster on her right hip. Then Nykoria reached to the back of her belt; fumbling a bit, she eventually placed a lightsaber hilt next to the gun. The Mirialan motioned his head towards the metal detector frame, but Nykoria raised her palm in a "Wait!" gesture. Then she reached for the back of her belt again, and after a few moments another lightsaber was on the table. To top it off, she detached the flight suit's life support box from the chest plate and added it to the mix. "Yes, that should be all," the Zeltron made a faint apologetic smile.

@Raydo

 

[Ilukai Koa]

Off in the Outer Rim when the assignment came, holonet delay meant she wasn’t able to join the flight with Nykoria to Mirial. Which meant her arrival was slightly off, though luckily only by a fraction.

Her own ship touching down on a nearby landing pad, she’d faced the same ‘welcome’ her ally had. They were here as representatives, both of the Order and of those who intended to stand up to the Zygerrians. It was for the latter she would agree to this. Wary of the Order getting too in bed with any government, Ilukai had to admit she was on edge for this meeting.

They were here as a third party at least, and that gave her some small comfort, and for a cause few, she hoped, could refuse. Following in suit, she dropped her belongings through the metal detector, her lightsaber taken away behind sealed doors. But, it meant when the pair were through the checkpoint, she’s meet with Kori,

“Not exactly warm relations would you say?” She joked quietly, making sure none of the security personnel caught her comment. Despite the good will the Order had won, she understood why they weren’t exactly celebrated with every step,

“Still, they let us in, that’s a start”

“Masters Tallis and Koa” a voice came shrill voice came from a sliding door to their right,

“If you’ll come this way, we’d like to get this over and done with” a tired, frustrated Miralian woman looked over to them from behind a pair of thick spectacles, a stash of dataslates in hand,

“I suppose that’s our ‘ambassador’” a final whispered comment to Kori before Ilukai stepped forward.

This promised to be an interesting meeting.

@Catbert

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

Nykoria was glad to have someone else of equal rank along for the ride. Having trained for law enforcement before, she knew how government institutions could be. When she told to Kalen it wouldn't be a cakewalk, she meant it. Even an open-minded official might have trouble with: "We need you to give us some of your obsolete space ships to arm an unsanctioned vigilante militia operating in your sector. Oh, it's for a good cause though. They'll be targeting slavers only!"

From Kori's standpoint, there was no proper way to sugar-coat it. She could only hope for Zeltron pheromones and a little Force persuasion. But that would mean mission failure. Sure, the official could grant them the ships there and then, if Kori picked the right words. But if done against their will would inevitably be revealed afterwards. And then the militia would only get into more trouble, and might be accused of stealing the ships. There was a fine line to tread.

All that Kori had whispered in reply to Ilukai's witty remarks was: "I'm sure they'll be eager to let us out even sooner." As if to prove it, the Mirialan woman who met them just radiated apathy and contempt. Sure, she was leading them to the office, but it felt like a formality. A way to shrug off the Jedi request (especially this bold) and call it a day. That is, if Nykoria had read her emotions right.

The Colonel's room proved to be rather small, with just a table and the two seats in front of her. As she passed by the table, she dropped the dataslates onto it, before sitting behind it. There was no invitation for the guests to take a seat. The Mirialan just formally blabbered a question, with a clear lack of emotion and interest: "Can you tell me your purpose here, and the nature of your request? I was briefed on it already, but I need it in your words for the record."

Kori looked at her fellow Knight with a shrug. Sure, the Zeltron could try to say something, but she didn't have the words for something like that. She'd mess it up before the whole thing even started.

@Nightfall

 

[Ilukai Koa]

Composing herself, she turned back from Kori's glance to the Colonel, meeting his gaze

"On behalf of the newly formed anti-slaving taskforce, we're approaching you in hopes we might be granted the use of your idle starfighters in order to combat such an abhorrent institution" She spoke confidently, clearly, and hopefully convincingly. She had been practicing on the way over after all, it had to have helped.

It was strange, when on mission, with a clear task, she felt so much more ready, open, self-assured. So far she still felt like that, a stark contrast to time spent idle on Ajan Kloss where worries would creep in.

Too bad then, that the Colonel was not about to agree so swiftly.

Glancing down to his datapad nodding, as if he had heard exactly what he expected to, he spoke up,

"Now ya see" wasting no time with pleasantries "I think you'll understand. Obviously, I don't like slavers, slavery, the whole shebang" he spoke with a drawl that somehow gave his voice character even when any obvious emotion was lacking "but, I can't just be handing out ships to some 'taskforce', even if you have a few good names vouching for you and I admit, I admit you do indeed have that" he slapped the datapad hard, referring to the information he'd already been briefed on,

"What I really need, that I don't have is this: One, whatcha gonna do with them? Two, am I gonna get them back? Three, are you gonna pay for them either way? and four, how exactly are you planning on doing that?"

Well, Ilukai looked to Kori, it certainly seemed as if they'd have their work cut out for them.

@Catbert

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

Ilukai put the cards on the table; and to Kori's surprise, the gambit... worked? No, the Colonel wasn't going to agree swiftly, indeed. But now the task didn't feel all that insurmountable or impossible. "Maybe you just have to start and the rest comes easy." Either way, the Colonel didn't seem principally opposed. And Kori felt more at ease when presented with the more down-to-earth matters, each of which seemed... doable.

"I'm glad we agree on our dislike for slavers," the Zeltron made the warmest and friendliest of smile she could muster. "And I understand that there's a lot of paperwork and justification involved in getting this done. You don't have to agree, but I think I might have a solution for it to work out nicely." The Zeltron didn't push the Colonel and gave her the right to refuse. Surprisingly, when feeling that they had a choice, some people ended up being more inclined to help. Kori also realized the problems that the Colonel was facing.

"For all intents and purposes, you could be leasing those ships out to those few good names. If it looks better in the paperwork, that is. I think some down-payment might be possible too, if necessary. The fighters would go to the task force that would intercept slaver vessels. Now, arrested slavers probably won't need their own ships and credits," the Zeltron smirked briefly, yet rather mischievously.

"So I figure their assets could be sold and used to pay for the fighters, among other things. We're not even counting that the nearest and dearest of those liberated from slavers might be able to donate here and there, after having their loved ones returned to them. Especially if they know it'd go to pay for the ships that were used to free those people."

"In the end, the task force gets their ships, Mirial Military gets the gratitude and gets paid for the ships more than they're worth, while saving some extra budget on maintaining them. Everyone wins, except for the slavers. And in all the paperwork, you'd be the one to strike that deal." The Zeltron's smile got wider, until it got quickly blown away she corrected herself: "Sorry, I meant if you strike that deal. Didn't mean to be pushy."

From Kori's angle, it sounded like a no-lose scenario. Whether the Colonel had a similar outlook remained to be seen.

@Nightfall

 

[Ilukai Koa]

Kori seemed to cover every point the Colonel questioned, which was a hell of a feat given the complication of the whole situation. And looking back at the Colonel it seemed they were similarly impressed, when Ilukai caught his face there was a small smile on his ugly mug, and that could only be a positive thing for them,

"Of course, if you were ready to grant us access, we'd be more than happy to get them off your hands shortly, you can have a landing bay free for something else by tomorrow" while no they did not mean to be pushy, there was no reason not to try and take every opportunity to point out the benefits, especially when it felt like they were close,

"I must admit, it's a reasonably solid plan, assuming a return on investment we'd be looking at figures we could turn into replacement fighters that improved upon the old" it was as if he was planning out the future in front of them, a future where he did agree "You know what, I'm gonna say this then, if you put your names on this-" he was suddenly cut off. A voice in an earpiece, so Ilukai gathered. After a few moments listening to it his expression changed, and added only one thing,

"I see" he said cautiously. Looking back to the pair of Jedi he snorted, before looking down "No, I'm afraid not actually. We're not here to do deals for military tech to religious orders, seems a... crossed interest, if you catch my meaning" it sounded like an excuse, one he was coming up with as he spoke,

"That's... extremely disappointing to hear" Ilukai looked to Kori, slightly bewildered by his sudden change in demeanor "is there anything we can-"

"No, no I think we must be done here. Good day and all that, best if you leave though, let's not prolong this"

Something was up.

@Catbert

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

The situation was collapsing like a house of cards in front of Kori's eyes. One moment, she had secured the deal in one fell swoop. The Colonel even started to get enthusiastic... as much as the term could be applied to simply the lack of apathy. The next moment, there was a call... and apparently that called off the deal. To say that Nykoria was surprised would be the understatement of the year. However, all she did was raise an eyebrow as she stared at the Mirialan officer.

"Crossed interest," the Zeltron spoke, as if savoring it. "Alright, as I said, it's your call, and we don't mean to be pushy." It could seem like giving up, but was in fact another diplomatic ruse. She couldn't change the Colonel's mind. There was no point arguing and making an enemy. But something could still be salvaged from the situation. And Kori intended to do one last question.

"Before we go, could you tell me who we can talk to? I mean, the person who made that call. One of your superiors perhaps? Maybe we could change their mind," The tone of the question had to be innocent, genuine, and non-threatening, or else the plan wouldn't work. The question was tricky, and could serve multiple purposes at the same time.

If the Colonel was still on their side, referring the Jedi to a superior officer could help solve the problem. Even if the superior officer was the one who made the call. And if it was the Colonel's decision alone, Kori's remark would remind that the Jedi wouldn't just give up. If the Zeltron came to a superior officer with the same reasonable proposal, and the officer found out that the Colonel had rejected it for some reason... It wouldn't look good.

Refusal to answer that simple question would be an answer in itself. Then Kori would definitely try contacting a superior officer. But it all hinged on the Colonel's reaction to the question...

@Nightfall

 

[Ilukai Koa]

It was a smart move, Ilukai thought, to try and go over his head. It would give them more info either way, if someone didn't want them to get the ships, well presumably they would just want them gone. It didn't seem as if the Colonel had other plans, at least when they had started bargaining, so maneuvering around him might cause someone to slip. He kept his eyes down and looked around for a moment, writing something on a card before handing it to them,

"That's my card if you need to talk further. But I would just leave it though, Jedi, it's not worth it" his tone was more serious on this one, he meant this part. Ilukai looked over at her ally, before turning to leave.

Once they were out of the office and away from any wandering functionaries, Ilukai pulled out the card. Written on it was the nameo f Director Valorus, presumably the Colonel's senior here,

"Well, trails not dead yet. Say we talk to them, or... investigate a little?"

@Catbert

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

At least that plan worked. Despite the visible disappointment because of an almost-struck deal had gone to Malachor, the Zeltron was relieved that the Colonel was seemingly on their side. Otherwise, the reaction would've been different. This time, Nykoria simply nodded and followed Ilukai outside.

"Bingo," the Zeltron mumbled, reading the card and returning it to her fellow Knight. "Talking seems like a reasonable thing..." Startled, the Zeltron turned her head to the right. The corridor was silent, but Kori acted as if she had been called out to. The reason for this would present itself soon very soon. Actually two reasons in the form of Mirialan soldiers, both armed with E-11 rifles. The Zeltron stared at the people suspiciously.

"We've been told that your meeting is concluded," one of them started the conversation rather abruptly. There was something about the way he said it... As if he wanted the Jedi out of the facility as soon as possible; and there was more to it than "just doing the job". "If you would follow us, we'll see you off the premises."

Nykoria looked at the two soldiers rather skeptically. An empath by nature, she sensed that there was something personal at play. In a quick glance cast at Ilukai, the Zeltron tried to convey "They're lying". Of course, she hadn't worked with the human Jedi before; not to the point that she'd be able to share thoughts with her through the Force with such precision. But Kori's mistrust to the new arrivals would be easy to sense.

@Nightfall

 

[Ilukai Koa]

Armed guards were hardly ever a good sign, and certainly not when they were facing you. That Kori most certainly felt similar was something Ilukai did indeed pick up, there was no reason to think that anything today was exactly 'above board'. Given the topic of the talks was a particularly depressing thought. That anyone would attempt to leave something so clearly unjust as slavery in place suggested things to which Ilukai had found dissapointing about the galaxy. Leaving her home planet to see it all was a spark of hope, that so much of it suffered under systems that would stop others doing as she had was something she could hardly abide. At least, she hoped, as a Jedi she would be able to make headway in ending it.

Today proved it would not be so easy,

"While yes we have spoken with the Colonel, we did have some interest in continuing our discussion with someone else. Given the delicacy of the matter I'm sure you understand why we might-" before she could try and worm their way back in she was cut off,

"I'm afraid failure to leave as asked will require to escort you by force" well, this as not going to be easy. She gave Kori a look that asked for forgiveness, before she raised her hand and replied,

"You want to escort us to the Director"

"I want to escort you to the Director"

"It's important they know what has happened"

"It's important they know what has happened"

Her voice was laced with the Force as she spoke, affecting the guards mind. The other protested for a moment but seeing as their friends mind was made up, they sighed, and seemed to cooperate. Ilukai feigned compliance, as if they had been arrested, and prompted Kori to do the same,

"Well, at leasy we'll get to see them?" she said sarcastically, maintaining the act. But in truth she was delighted.

They'd get to the bottom of this yet.

@Catbert

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

And so it happened. Was it a line crossed? Are good intentions an excuse for using your power over people's minds, no matter how bad their intentions are? These are the questions that Kori didn't find relevant right now. The Jedi were on a mission to secure the ships for a good cause. Someone was clearly playing against them. No harm was being done to anyone, but a lot of harm could happen if the slavers weren't stopped. So in Kori's eyes—or brain, or whatever organ that allowed Zeltrons to perceive other people's emotions—Ilukai needn't have felt remorseful or asked for forgiveness.

The Zeltron just felt elated that they had managed to solve that obstacle; apparently, the fellow Knight shared the same feelings on the matter. Kori had ot put in all her effort to conceal her smugness. Here they were, being led to the solution by the soldiers who were meant to be a part of the problem. "I can't wait," the Zeltron drawled in reply to keep up the act.

Soon, the Jedi were in front of another door. One of the soldiers pressed the button: "Director Valorus. It's important you know what has happened." An angry male voice replied on the intercom: "What do you mean?" The confused soldier took a moment too long to reply, and the door slid open. An aging Mirialan wearing civilian clothes walked out of the room, only to stumble across the two lost guards and the uninvited women. "Who are you? What is the meaning of all this?"

@Nightfall

 

[Ilukai Koa]

"We're Jedi, Director" Ilukai said bluntly, the Director knew the answer surely, if things were as they seemed. Either way she thought, there would be little value in skating around that sort of issue at this point anyhow. Whoever sought to impede their discussions had presumably already thought they had succeeded, and so appearing once more was bound to be a shock. That shock value, hopefully, would get them somewhere,

"Our recent request was denied it appears and, well, we're appealing that decision" she followed quickly, not giving the Director time to breathe. As they began to stammer out a response she followed up once more,

"From all we could tell, this was a mutually beneficial arrangement, and we've been turned down without explanation as to why" the Director remained shocked, and Ilukai avoided looking at Kori in case she was shocked at her too. While forthrightness was not a trait uncommon to Jedi, one that could often be needed, she didn't want to cross a line and unintentionally end the deal once more by becoming angry with the wrong person. That said, she was much more used to playing hard game when it came to structures and systems, too often they needed to be pressed into doing what was right, and the Jedi could push them to do so. The fact that it was when the Jedi last served, rather than merely associated with, states in the past had been when they had failed most grievously was something she was acutely aware of, and meant not to repeat. That included in standing up to them today,

"So, do you happen to know why, Director?"

@Catbert

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

Ilukai took the bull by the horns with her direct approach. Perhaps it was for the best. Frankly, Kori wasn't sure how to get that next part done, and who was friend or foe. Of course, Ilukai's speech meant that the gloves were off. The Zeltron just remained silent, staring at the Director; meanwhile, the man was clearly overwhelmed by the verbal onslaught. If not a little... scared? His eyes did dart from the Jedi to the security guards, and back.

"I..." he stammered while looking at the guards again, and Kori could get a better sense of the man's emotions. Definitely scared. Cornered even. "I think it's because... we don't make it a habit to release combat ships to civilians, no matter how noble their intentions are." The Director spoke with more and more confidence as he continued. "Especially to unaccountable civilians, who might put those ships to nefarious ends." Well said. You're clearly pleased with yourself, ain't you?

The guards remained nearby; a Mind Trick should have worn off by now. Yet surprisingly, they showed no intention of complying with a previous order. Something was definitely up here...

@Nightfall

 

[Ilukai Koa]

Rebuffed at every turn it seemed at the moment, and Ilukai was having none of it. Despite the Directors protests she could hardly just accept the explanation they were being given, as sensible as it might have appeared. As Nykoria was just as aware, there was clearly something up,

"Then we're happy to share some oversight with the Miralian government, instruction, pilots even, if that would make things more comfortable" she kept her composure despite the Directors outburst, if she lost her calm or firmness, then they'd have good reason to dismiss them again for it,

"And as we discussed, the potential compensation should easily cover any such costs that that would incur" she gave it a moment before finishing, to let it sink in "unless of course there is some other reason our deal can't go ahead?"

She was pushing now, Kori wold no doubt see, but it was time this came to a head and was sorted out.

@Catbert

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

"Woah, woah!" the Director raised his hands in a clearly-appeasing gesture. The guards seemed content with observing the scene with a degree of curiosity. If Kori were to place a bet, she'd say they hadn't been kept in the loop about the entirety of the deal. And now they were surprised to discover some of its circumstances. Meanwhile, the old Mirialan was getting desperate; without a venting, or a way to walk away from the situation, his anger slowly subsided: "You Jedi just can't take no for an answer, can you?" Sensing the shift, the Zeltron only shook her head with a smirk.

"There's no need for that..." the old Mirialan conceded with a sigh. "I'll make the call. You can tell Colonel Lakari that the ships will be there. Just..." It would appear he wanted to say something; but then he changed his mind and simply walked into his office, closing the door behind him. Kori turned her head to Ilukai and shrugged with a surprised smile on her face: "I don't know how you did it, but that was pretty impressive."

The guards, on the other hand, seemed to have become less hostile. One of them simply commented: "Sorry, I guess there was a misunderstanding. Chain of command issues. Please take your time and let us know when you decide to leave." Of course, Ilukai's question about who and why was behind the scheme remained unanswered. Maybe someone was still at play against the Jedi. But Kori wasn't too concerned to get to the bottom of it; as long as they got those ships and the permits to use them, she'd be satisfied.

@Nightfall

 

[Ilukai Koa]

"I wish I knew how I did it too" she laughed off Kori's praise, this whole endeavour was something new to her, something she meant to do more of. Perhaps she had the right personality for it, though she didn't seem to think she might have had the confidence on her own. If anything, she had had to prove herself in front of the other Jedi, she sometimes still felt separate from a lot of them. Was that very Jedi like? Probably not, but she wasn't sure how else to approach it, and with everything going on its seemed like perhaps that the Jedi could affect a little more pushing.

That was the question, were the Jedi a monolith? Perhaps it was just a title people put on themselves whenever the galaxy needed something, fought for better things.

Perhaps that didn't really matter today though,

"As soon as we've got the signatures, we're out of here" she replied to the guard,

"Suit you Kori?"

@Catbert

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

"Perfectly," the Zeltron replied to Ilukai's question ith a smile of her own. In that human, she sensed the familiar emotional undertones, some of which she hared. There were questions about the role of the Jedi that Kori still sought answers for; but for the moment, getting the job done mattered more. The women were doing the right thing on Mirial, and it had to suffice for now.

...​

"I don't know how you did it... But that was pretty impressive." the Colonel spoke from behind his desk, signing the documents. "The same way as before," Nykoria shrugged, casting a brief glance at her colleague. "We just kept escalating the problem until someone yielded." That evoked the chuckle even from the tired Colonel: "Ain't that true?" Finally, the datapad with the coveted electronic signature was on the table. Of course, twenty-second-hand Y-Wings and B-Wings were nothing to write home about. But the Jedi got the ships they came for.

"Fair warning, Jedi," the Colonel added. "The Director got yout the worst ships of the bunch. They still fly of course, but..." An awkward pause followed, which the Zeltron quickly interrupted: "We know you've done all you could. Just leave the rest to us." Kori stood up and looked at the datapad. "Either way, thanks for your help. Couldn't have done it without you." Now, as long as no other administrative obstacles would get in the way, all the Jedi had to do was board their ships.

@Nightfall