Chapter 2: Forges of Ithyari

[Vergere 1]

Brier blinked a few times at being told that she was going to be the one infiltrating the orbital station, then nodded. "As you wish. I'll need a few explosives from your team, just in case."

She waited as Captain Tunon spoke about the mission, then spoke up when he asked if there were any questions. "If Iriya is on the other side of the planet, should Lt. Beskar's group leave earlier than everyone else, for a simultaneous attack? So that no one has time to get defenses in place?"

[Drake 53]

Aeric nodded. "They will leave in an hour. The rest of us will wait, thirty minutes at the most." He looked to Takeshi. "That reminds me. We've included a flight route that should take you away from any populated areas on the planet. We'll all need to fly lower to the ground to avoid the sensor network so we'll be risking being seen by eye."

[Ayingel 24]

Szen was walking around the camp. Something looked different though. Something had happened. Szen didn't see many of her fellow squad members. Captain Tunon was nowhere to be seen. Looking some more, she couldn't find Layla or Jya either. A light caught her attention and she followed it to Nima. Then she saw everyone who was missing. Jya looked as if someone had tried to gut her. Szen cringed, but saw that Jya was still awake. Layla was lying quietly next to her, eyes closed. It didn't seem like anything was wrong with her, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to find out. Captain Tunon was standing away from Nima; he seemed to be saying something, but Szen couldn't hear. She walked closer.

"It shouldn't have happened. There was no one around. No one saw it coming. Tak checked the area. No one was there." He continued like that with a distant look in his eyes. Szen opened her mouth to say something but a sound like a blaster shot stopped her.

Szen awoke with a jerk. She looked around, and sat up. Feeling her chest, there wasn't any sign of a blaster shot. She got up and walked around the camp quickly, just making sure everyone was fine and to assure herself that she was just paranoid.

[Vergere 1]

Brier nodded. "Alright, sounds like a plan. I hope all the kiddies are well rested - the day's not over yet." She grinned. "Okay, I need to get some stuff organized before I go up, so I'm going to go contact a few people and see what cards I can play. I'll let you all brief either your flights or the entire squad, whichever you prefer. If you need me for some reason, I'll be getting ready to go play with the Imperials, so comm me."

Edited November 5, 2007 by Tyche

[Mara 29]

As Artie continued to twitter gleefully at him, Kaden got up and grabbed his bag, heading into the jungle. The first part of their mission was over, and he wanted to get back into some more familiar clothes. He quickly stripped off the new jacket, shirt and pants and slipped back into his gray flightsuit. Satisfied, he zipped it up and stuffed the new clothes into his bag. They fit, just barely.

He strapped his boots back on, then headed back out to where Artie was near the X-wings. Much better....

[Rogue 4]

Layla was running a brush through her wet hair, red again now that she had washed out all of the dark dye that had covered the normally too-bright for human red that was her normal hair color. Her skin was back to it's usual pink pigmentation, and she was glad. She didn't know how humans could wake up every morning to see that same bland color on their faces.

She sensed paranoia and noticed the new girl walking around the camp looking nervous. She looked up to her curiously. "Everything okay, girl?"

[Ayingel 24]

Szen jumped at the question. Seeing Layla, she grew tense. "Uh, yeah." She faked a small smile. I don't even believe me. Szen sighed. "No, everything isn't okay." Her smile faded and her eyes darted around the camp. She caught a glimpse of Jya and let out the breath she had been holding. Where do I begin...I saw you dead? "At least, I don't think so."

[Vergere 1]

Brier walked out of the planning tent to leave the men to do the briefings, as she felt that they had a good grasp of what they were going to do, and she herself needed to get ready for her own mission, which was to be by herself. "Hullo ladies." She smiled and nodded to Layla and Szen as she passed them to go to her bag of things Intel and otherwise, hoping she'd packed the right sort of things for this sort of mission. She sighed inwardly as she noticed that Layla had gotten all her makeup off, and silently wished that she could have followed suit by now.

[Rogue 4]

"Hello Cap'n." Layla sensed a twinge of jealously from Captain Fae as she passed by, and understood where it came from. It was tough being non-human or sub-human when you're main objective was to fit in with humans. She couldn't wait to see a galaxy that didn't look down on you for being different from what the select few considered 'normal'.

Focussing on the problem at hand, Lay turned back to Szen and pat the log beside her, gesturing for her to sit. "Well alright then. Take a seat and tell Lay what the problem is and we'll see what we can do to fix it." Having noticed the woman's earlier glance at the group explosives specialist she asked, "You get in a fight with Jya Orson?" That would be something. Layla thought the other pilot to be very likeable.

Edited November 6, 2007 by Rogue

[Vergere 1]

Brier went into her tent and rummaged through all of the things she'd thought to bring on this mission. She muttered to herself for a few moments as she took a mental inventory of everything she had, and smiled as she brought out an Imperial uniform she had brought along... just in case things went crazy. She murmured softly, "Perfect. This should be fun." I love being in Intelligence. Nothing beats a good infiltration and being insufferable, and having a million different outfits at one's disposal. She grinned wickedly at the thought, and took the uniform with her when she went to change into it.

A few minutes later, she was dressed as an Imperial officer; Captain, to be precise. Her dyed dark hair was pulled back into a severe bun again, but she made sure to cover the tips of her ears with her hair so that they appeared human. Looking into a mirror, she took inventory of her appearance, and was very satisfied with the outcome. It hadn't taken long to change or to get ready, since she had had everything packed neatly. She made sure all of her insignia were in their correct places, before walking back out in the open. Headed back to her stuff to stash away the clothes she'd been wearing, and to get out as much technology and weaponry that she could either hide on her person, or could legitimately have as an Imperial officer. So lost in thought, she didn't pay attention as to whether or not anyone noticed that she was wearing an Imperial uniform and walking amongst them.

[Ayingel 24]

Szen took in a breath and really looked at Layla. Trust. Sitting down, she let out her breath "I don't know if it was just a weird dream or what...but something went wrong. Jya was hurt very badly...and you...I don't know what happened. I think you were dead...I don't know." Szen judged Layla's reaction before she continued. "Captain Tunon was talking about something going wrong, someone attacked the three of you. Takeshi had checked the area. He was going on and on about it." She lowered her voice. "I'm worried something is going to happen." She ran a hand through her hair and looked up. "And I don't know why I'm thinking about this. There's no reason, right?" I don't want anything to happen to you guys...really. She rubbed her eyes and attempted to look less shaken than she really was. Can't be insecure. Show no weakness. Szen closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.

[Rogue 4]

Layla shifted a bit uncomfortably. First I have a dream that I'm shot, and now she has a dream that I'm dead?

"That's...something. Odd I guess. Where was Tak in your dream?" She asked curiously.

[Ayingel 24]

Szen thought about the question for a moment. Where was Tak in my dream? "I...I don't know. Someone fired a blaster though...it may have been him, but it could have been anybody. I don't know if it was me they were shooting or someone else. I woke up at that part. And it wasn't a gentle wake up either." She rubbed her neck nervously.

[Rogue 4]

"Oh...I see." Layla took a moment to mull that over, automatically filing that information away. She didn't believe in coincidences, or in the supernatural for that matter. But this was...something. She felt the hair on the back of her neck bristle and shuddered a bit. "I'm sure it's just nerves...upcoming mission and all. I'm sure it's nothing..." She smiled at her reassuringly, but as good of an actress as she was she didn't feel reassured herself. Something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong.

[Ayingel 24]

Szen didn't feel any better. "Thanks for listening. Maybe it is just nerves." At least it's out there now. She stood up and brushed herself off subconsciously. Turning to leave, she was met abruptly by a person in an imperial uniform. Regaining her composure, Szen closed her eyes and shook her head before looking again. I'm not dreaming...

[Rogue 4]

Layla was torn between comforting Szen and her own thoughts. The problem with being a Zeltron was that you were constantly overwhelmed with emotion---not always your own, but the emotions of others. Negative emotion tended to wear on you, which is why most Zeltron's stayed on Zeltros where they could party and stay out of the world's problems.

But as collected as Layla usually seemed to be, paranoia was a big part of who she was. She was always gathering and storing data, analyzing the actions of those around her. She had to if she wanted to survive, if she wanted Ayana to survive. But she was letting these people get under her guard...Takeshi especially. And maybe that was her problem. Maybe...

Force, I don't want to think of Tak like that. She thought. But what if...two dreams where I die, it can't be a coincidence...

[Drake 53]

After some final planning, Captain Tunon called an end to the meeting. Excusing himself, Takeshi left the planning tent and emerged into the crisp night air. He looked around the Revenants' makeshift base. There were few lights on and those that were had been dimmed, to prevent being noticed from the air.

Having had the urge to relieve himself since halfway through the briefing, Tak made his way towards the forest's edge. It was dark so no one else could see him. Once he was done, Tak turned around to go back but stopped short when a rustling noise came from behind him in the bushes. Pulling his blaster free, he cast his gaze about in the near-dark of the forest.

When the rustling came again, this time beside him, there was a barely audible whine of servos. Tak sighed and slipped his blaster back into his holster. "Come on out, Teroch," he said.

The little insectoid droid scurried up out of the bush and onto the trunk of the tree next to Tak. "Pleasant night, boss?" the droid asked.

"In a manner of speaking, yes," Tak said. "Nice of you to finally show up. I hear that you had a hand in our mission back in Yarin. Thanks."

"I go where I need to go and do what I need to do. Besides, trying out those new droids was fun. Clumsy, but fun." Teroch absently picked at some of the tree bark with one of his clawed feet. "I hear you're going to blow up their factory. A shame to have to destroy such interesting toys...but I suppose it's a necessity."

Tak nodded. "So will you be joining me on this mission?"

"Maybe," said the droid. "jumping more of those HAX droids does sound exciting but I have other things to do before we all leave."

"And what might that be?" Tak asked.

Teroch made an odd noise that sounded somewhat like laughter. "Top secret droid business. For photoreceptors only!"

Takeshi put up his hands in mock defense. "Alright, alright. Forget I even asked. Well, have fun doing whatever it is you do."

The droid bobbed in the equivalent of a nod. "You too, Takeshi." Teroch turned to scurry up the tree but then stopped and added, "Oh Tak. That bounty hunter you ran into in Yarin City...he's still on the hunt. Watch your back."

Despite the upsetting reminder of the Mandalorian bounty hunter still at large on Ithyari, Tak gave Teroch a shrug and a grin. "Why bother when I have you to pop up randomly and do it for me?"

"Perhaps," said Teroch. "Perhaps." With that, the droid slipped up into the trees and was gone.

Takeshi shook his head at the droid's continued strange behaviour and made his way back into the light of the camp.

[Rogue 4]

Nat left the tent as well, changing into his flightsuit before going to gather up his team for the mission. Once he had Kaden Staal, Aston Kendall, and Jaim Adarra together he explained the situation to them. "So we'll be flying on the Evyani weapon's plant shortly after Lieutenant Beskar's group leaves, so I need you all to be ready. Make sure you're X-wings are running smoothly and that they're fully armed. We're going in strong. Any questions?"

[Vergere 1]

Brier glanced over at Tak when she heard what sounded like him talking to himself, her sensative hearing picking up bits of the conversation. However, since her intent wasn't to listen, she made sure that he was okay before tuning him out again, still going through everything she might need.

[Mara 29]

Kaden listened quietly as Lt. Riamor explained their part of the mission to them. He briefly wondered why the were split up differently than their previously assigned flights. Something new? Or just for this mission?

He shrugged the thoughts away and focused on the mission ahead. A mission to destroy a weapons' plant: Kaden realized that it was strikingly similar to the last mission he had gone on before... No! I can't think like that. This is completely different. New squadron. New mission. New times.

Composing himself, he left with the others when there were no further questions of the lieutenant. It was time to remove the tarp and get his X-wing ready to go.

[Drake 53]

Once he had returned to base, Tak set off to round up the other three who were to join his flight. He found Atuarre first by her X-Wing. The Trianii was busy storing her sniper rifle. Next, he found Arlan joking around with Jya inside the crew tents. Lastly was Layla. She was sitting beside Szen, who looked like she had seen a ghost or two.

"Excuse me," he said, as he approached. "I'm sorry to interrupt but I need to speak with you, Layla." He looked to Szen. "And I think the Captain will be looking to speak with you as well." He smiled and winked. "Don't worry, it's nothing bad."

[Rogue 4]

Layla looked up to Tak then over to Szen and smiled. "Go on ahead, I'll talk to you later. And don't worry about it, alright?"

Once Szen had left Layla shifted on the log she sat on, crossing her legs. "So...what's cookin' good looking?"

[Drake 53]

Tak grinned, "Nothing important." He stepped to the side and nodded at Atuarre and Arlan who were waiting nearby. "Just official squadron business, and all. I need to brief you guys on our next mission." Tak looked her over then spoke in a lowered voice, "Pink looks good on you. I think you should keep it." He winked.

[Rogue 4]

She smiled at his offhand manner, inwardly watching every move he made, listening to every word he said. "Hmmm I think I tend to agree with you on that one. Come on, lets go get that 'official buisness' out of the way." She rose. "Atuarre and Arlan huh? This is going to be fun."

[Mara 29]

Artie helped Kaden uncover his X-wing, consequently also uncovering those on either side of it because of the large size of the camo tarps. He looked at it briefly, running his eyes over the contours of the ship.

He grinned at Artie while he moved a ladder over to the cockit. "Back to action again, my friend!"

The droid whistled excitedly as he was helped into his socket at the back. Kaden then moved on to inspecting the landing struts, underbelly and other things on the X-wing to make sure no small jungle creatures were chewing or damaging anything vital.

As his droid started warming up the systems, Kaden climbed up the ladder to hop into the cockpit to run some checks of his own. He stuffed his bag of belongings under the seat before turning on his display.

There is no past, only the present and the future. Focus on the now.