Fandom Star Wars: Chaos Theory

[cleopat]

“In a way, animals are far easier to read than humans,” Thrawn said with a glint of amusement. Animals weren’t motivated by politics or ambition. They were simply motivated by the will to live, and in a way, that made them more predictable.

But also, that predictability made them unpredictable in if they will attack, like the nexu. It was complicated.

He did raise a brow at her languishing in a lack of rock wall. No, he supposed they didn’t have one, but there were other recreational activities for his officers to enjoy. “I apologize for not installing a rock wall before your visit. If I had known…” a joke.

Though one did sound fun. It was beneficial to be physically active in many ways, making sure all muscles are utilized.

Thrawn paused, as he did indeed wanted to begin preparation to run to end his workout. “Animal?” He had to think for a second. “Back home, there was a creature called the Rantorian whelmer. They were slow, but persistent, predators who hunted until their prey gave up in exhaustion.”

~~~

Ayla began to wonder if she made a terrible mistake. The crew seemed to have mixed reactions, and she didn’t know how that bode for her and their trust in one another.

But in the midst of the commotion, the voice of a young twi’lek spoke up, with excitement clear in her words. “An actual Jedi?” gasped Asara, who sat cross legged in her seat. “I’ve only heard the stories. I never would have thought I would get to meet one. Can you do something…I don’t know, Jedi-y?”

Ayla shifted in slight discomfort, but another voice spoke up before she could say anything. “You can’t just ask her to do something with the Force or whatever,” said Kasimir, a human. Asara pouted. She had always wanted to see a lightsaber up close!

Sighing, Ayla focused her attention on a datapad laying on a nearby table. Slowly, it lifted into the air, seemingly all by itself, before it took a trip around the lounge, flying through the air and weaving between the crew. Asara clapped with glee. “And yes, I still have my lightsaber too, although I feel like the less often I use it, the better.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Home. Rantorian. Thrawn must have been from a place called Rantor – or Ranto – depending on how he was using that suffix. She doubted the chiss had the same suffixes, the beast likely called something slightly different. Octavia knew of whelmers, though. They inspired the design of more than one military vehicle.

“Like human hunters, then,” perhaps like chiss hunters, given the physiological similarities.

Slow and steady. ‘Interesting.’

Now how much was his like of the whelmer going to show in imitation? Or was it because it was the complete opposite? An answer she would have later. “Not bad reasoning. Persistence makes for good horror.”

She moved to put her weights up, “I am going to grab breakfast now. I’ll look forward to an update on the negotiations.” She wouldn’t offer her own answer; he didn’t ask. Besides, she’d rather he assume it was ‘nexu’. “Until then, maybe consider ordering a rock wall for yourself,” she joked, before heading to the door to leave him to what peace remained in the gym.

Prince was right behind.

~***~

Ryker palmed his face at the request for Ayla to do something Jedi-y – especially as she gave in to Asara. “It won’t matter much now if you choose to use your lightsaber, unless you do want to fly under the radar while you’re with us,” Ryker noted.

“Do you really want that much more trouble?” Aro sighed, “I thought we were courting enough danger by striking the Seswenna sector as often as we do.”

“Hardly,” Ryker lowered his hand, “though we should see if there’s anything going on in there while Tarkin’s busy,” hunting the Jedi which – oh. That comment seemed to remind everyone of just what Tarkin was supposedly busy with.

He wasn’t about to offer to go save a Jedi, regardless of what Ayla was, though.

They’d all be dead.

He didn’t address it, moved on, “The Motti family is usually always bringing in some shipment. I’ll take a look and see if there’s any activity out that way,” that was as good a place as any to strike, after all. Anything in that sector impacted both Motti and Tarkin families, two families very high up in the Empire.

He didn’t know how Motti got there, honestly.

 

[cleopat]

Thrawn nodded. “Like humans and others. It is a rather impactful form of hunting without expending too many resources.” Just energy, which was why it was important for the hunters to hunt in a pack.

“Persistence and strategy will prove true. For the rantorian whelmer, and perhaps for us as well.” With the negotiations, and with the Jedi as well.

He would let her go and get breakfast, with himself thinking about the very same thing after a quick run. And then again with the rock wall. Thrawn may consider humoring and looking into it for the ship. His officers would certainly enjoy it. He just may as well.

“Before you leave, if you mind,” he called out, “I assume a nexu isn’t quite your favorite animal, or one you perhaps favored as a child. What is your favorite animal?

~~~

They went into discussion that Ayla had no idea about. She was honestly quite surprised the conversation left her so quickly and onto something else, but she wasn’t complaining.

She took a seat in an open chair and propped her feet up on a nearby table. The names they were mentioning sounded familiar, though when mentioned what Tarkin was busy with…she guessed that it had to do with Malachai. A Jedi as good as dead.

Sure, Ayla wanted to save him, but that would be a suicide mission. If the tables were turned, she wouldn’t want anyone to risk their lives to save her.

“So mind explaining to me what’s going on?” she asked. “Do you only stay in a specific region?” Seems rather foolish, if they wanted to stay on the run. Seems like an easy way to get caught.

 

[Lucyfer]

Octavia paused at the question posed. Not unexpected, only expected a little earlier. Apparently he wanted to see if she'd offer on her own in this case, though he made an assumption.

She considered saying it was the nexu, but that was too obvious a lie. So far, she did not get the sense that he was being dishonest with her, though she considered telling him a creature of Corulag. It was always her go to for easy lies amongst Imperials. Claiming Core World heritage was better than any Outer Rim planet in their minds.

But Thrawn wasn't over that worldview, either.

“You would be correct, as dear as Prince is, so far as types of animals the nexu is not at the top. That honor goes to the river uroboros, a water wyrm of Eriadu,” what Orrineswa was, though on a larger scale. Not that the uroboros was anything to scoff at. “They're one of the few fresh water wyrms in the galaxy, and rarely seen. Highly venomous, though we have antidotes, the odds of escaping one alive all but makes the antidote pointless.” Not because of the poison, that was relatively slow. The uroboros could swallow a bantha whole. A person was nothing to it, which always drew the question of what the hell they fed on in a river to sustain themselves.

Sadly none were yet in captivity to figure it out.

“Now, if you'll excuse me, Grand Admiral?”

~***~

“No–” Ryker started.

“--but Ryker has an obsession with hunting in Seswenna,” Aro chimed, “so we hunt there frequently when we don't have other leads to disrupt their trades.” Not that it did much, they were only one ship.

Ryker sighed, “Basically, we attack cargo ships operating in Seswenna. Ideally we disable them and take their supplies, but I'm not against destroying them if that's not an option. Sometimes it's too dangerous to attempt to board. Then we sell whatever we gather, wherever we can. I have a few regular contacts, so I can usually find a buyer.”

“There's usually doonium if it's a Motti order, though we've also taken some chromium,” Aro said, “they get good stuff out in that sector, and it's fun to one up the Outland Security forces.”

The Empire didn't actually have forces of there. It was all local which was interesting, considering some of the most fervent followers of the Empire came from that area.

 

[cleopat]

“A very interesting choice, Commander.” A water wyrm of Eriadu. He had briefly heard of the creature before, but he couldn’t help but to linger on the description she gave him. Highly venomous. Rarely seen. An antidote that was useless if bitten.

Do you fancy them because they may remind you of yourself?

He didn’t doubt that Octavia was venomous in some way. In fact, he would be disappointed if she wasn’t. And rarely seen…could she be hiding her true self from him?

Oh, he wouldn’t put it past her.

But his thoughts were just that. Thoughts. Analysis of something that perhaps didn’t even need to be analyzed.

Thrawn nodded at her. “You may go.” And he would give himself a chance to recall what they discussed.

~~~

Ayla hummed at the information given. So they really were just a small group of pirates determined to annoy and disrupt the Empire in any way. It amused her. “Sounds fun.”

She didn’t care about the credits that came with finishing the jobs. As long as she had a bed, a roof over her head, and food in her belly, she was content, like most Jedi, she supposed.

And while it was risky, the idea of helping them steal from the Empire sounded exciting. They took her life from her, why shouldn’t she take something back in return?

“But one thing. One thing I do not do is intentionally hurt someone. If they attack me or someone else, yes I will attack back, but I will not initiate if there is no need to.” Ryker should’ve recalled how she refused to let him kill back in the cantina. Did they deserve it? She didn’t know, but it didn’t feel right there.

 

[Lucyfer]

Interesting was one way to put it. Octavia knew he'd be analyzing it. He'd likely come to several correct assumptions, too. It changed little, if he paid that antidote part any mind. She wondered how long it would take him to connect it to the mythical Orrineswa.

Well, she'd find out in due time, as she left behind the gym to head into one of the cafeterias she'd already noted as one for the officers, but not before shifting Prince into invisibility. She took note of Eli Vanto.

Too easy.

She grabbed her meal, and joined Eli, clearly waking him up a bit more when she sat down with two plates, one full of eggs. His expression didn't quite sour but it wasn't happy, either. “Did you learn anything about starting a fire?”

Nope that didn't improve his mood. “I've read more about how some rocks can be used to start a spark over kindling.” But it was obvious he was doubtful on knowing what to use.

Progress.

Octavia nodded. “Not bad,” Octavia set the plate of eggs off to the side, and they began to vanish. Eli sat up straighter, and she explained. “Prince us not really a fan of cooked meat. It's usually too spiced.”

“But eggs work?” Eli clearly floundered on how to engage. “He's invisible?”

“Yes,” she grinned, “why, does it frighten you? I could reveal him, but that might mess with morale is the entire cafeteria became aware.” The gym has been relatively clear when she showed Thrawn.

Eli looked annoyed, the plate already emptied so there was no oddity for others to notice now. “Fear isn't something I let get in my way. I just wanted to know what your game was.” By his tone, he thought he had it.

Octavia only brightened at this. She reached and Eli flinched – but caught himself, to his own likely dismay when Octavia's hand landed on his head and mussed his hair, “I really want to see you in action, Commander Vanto.”

He flailed his hands above to get rid of her touch and scowled for all he was worth – which was about as terrifying as a wet cub.

~***~

Fun.

Ryker couldn't help but smirk a bit at that little comment. In the moment, he supposed it was fun. It didn't stem from any desire to have fun, though. He was just angry and vindictive.

“You can just stand back when that happens then,” Ryker shrugged off the comment on pacifism.

“Er, that is – we don't really initiate, but–”

“But there have been multiple occasions where we have taken out guards before they have seen us. We also do not leave crew alive on ships we take,” the droid stated in that matter of fact tone only droids could pull off so effortlessly. “People are resources to the Empire. We deprive the Empire of as many resources as possible. Their people, their ships, their cargo.”

Ryker nodded his agreement.

He wondered how Ayla would cope with that fact.

 

[cleopat]

Karyn spent the evening diving into reading material surrounding camping and survival out in the wilderness. This wasn’t included in the training for those in the Imperial Navy - that was more of an Army thing!

But she read up on survival techniques most of the night, ultimately stopping for a few hours of rest and an early morning breakfast. In the cafeteria, she grabbed her food, and saw Eli Vanto before she saw Octavia.

And obviously, completely unaware that Prince was nearby.

“Vanto!” she grinned, greeting him with such close familiarity. Then she noticed the other woman with him, not quite what she was expecting while half-asleep from a full night. “Commander Tarkin,” she greeted with a nod. “I admit, I was not expecting you…here.” With Eli. At breakfast.

~~~

Ayla looked at the droid as she considered its words. She knew she shouldn’t feel guilt over such a fate for the Imperials. After all, isn’t that what they would do to her in a heartbeat? Kill, or hand her over for a worse fate?

Curse her old teachings for emphasizing pacifism before anything else. Maybe one day she’ll learn to shake some of that off.

She nodded. “I’ll stand back and let you guys handle that part. If things turn south though, I will step up and do what is needed to make sure everyone gets out, do not doubt that.” In case they had any worries that she would be dead weight during a crucial moment.

She wouldn’t. Ayla would ensure that everyone got out safely, if Ryker was correct in that everyone hated the Empire enough to not turn her over.

 

[Lucyfer]

Karyn Faro’s arrival was after Eli got his hair in order, but he still looked sour. He couldn’t help it as he glanced at her when she arrived, and when she noticed Tarkin. He tried to smile but it was hardly warm. He couldn’t help but wonder if Tarkin would play more games with Faro or not. ‘Or by not, play more with me.’

“No?” Octavia queried, canting her head, “Where did you expect me to be now?” apparently Faro already had expectations, and they didn’t include Octavia being around the man who was arguably the second-in-command, eating in a cafeteria.

That was a fairly harmless place to be, and shouldn’t be unexpected for anyone, location-wise. And obviously, she would want to be around those she had a mission with to learn more about them.

The question wasn’t rhetorical, so she didn’t add anything.

And Eli didn’t answer, only sighed.

~***~

Ayla accepted the terms. She’d stand back during the killing, but if they needed an escape, she’d lend a hand. She likely wouldn’t kill, which could lead to problems if the survivors ratted them out, but nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing Ryker wasn’t prepared to deal with.

So, Ryker nodded, “Good. We’re all on the same page, then.”

There was no disagreement there.

“We’re fueled up, so I’ll get us heading out to Seswenna,” he turned to leave, “everyone be prepared for arrival,” ideally that was going to mean boarding a ship and taking its supplies. They’d know when they actually engaged, assuming they could avoid discovery and get the lone ship to themselves.

 

[cleopat]

Karyn noticed the dour look Eli was sporting that morning, and she could only fathom that it had to do with Octavia there. And that was likely spot on, for when Octavia directed her question to Karyn, the younger woman opened and closed her mouth a few times as her brain stumbled.

Not a question she was expecting, to be fair.

“I-I’m not sure,” she answered honestly, looking down at her eggs and pushing them around as she attempted to think of a recovery to save face. What had Octavia done exactly to make Eli look so displeased?

Wanting to continue, she spoke up next, “I did research on wilderness survival tactics last night. Of course, I know reading and actually implementing said tactics are two completely different things, but I do know more about what we’re potentially getting into.”

~~~

Ryker called for preparation, and Ayla remained in her relaxed position with her feet up. No bother in expanding her energy by getting up and doing…she wasn’t quite sure. “Oooh, arrival? Arrival where?”

“To your very first heist and a chance to show us exactly how badass you are,” Asara said with a wink at the Jedi.

She raised her brows. Taking a ship already? She just got there and was just introduced to everyone. She wasn’t even sure of everyone’s names.

Oh well, a problem for later.

“Anything you want me to do to help prepare for arrival? Or do I just chill until we’re ready to board the ship?” She took a brief glance at everyone as she spoke, but she settled her gaze on Ryker, the one who seemed to direct everything around there.

 

[Lucyfer]

The simplest questions tore people to pieces. They never really thought about what they said. It was always amusing, just as it was always sad. Octavia canted her head, but listened as Karyn spoke of the research she had done. ‘Such a sad lot.’

Somehow, she expected better.

Then again, she always expected that. That was why she was constantly disappointed. “Did either of you research the particular planet beneath us, or was it merely general survival methods?” Octavia couldn’t help but ask, curious where their research had taken them, since that appeared to be the ‘safe’ topic they settled on.

“I did research some on the planet below, the flora and fauna,” Eli answered. “Most just spoke of the molsume.”

“Mm. Least of our worries,” Octavia waved that off, “they prefer not to engage and are more scavenger than predator.”

Eli’s brows knit at that, “Reports indicated they’re quite hostile.”

“Yes, when threatened. They are hunted for their pelts, so of course, most reports of engagements will be from those who actively sought them harm,” Octavia agreed, “their coloring is made to warn predators against attacking them; they don’t want to engage if they don’t have to. It’s unlikely we’ll face issues with them unless the Jedi is controlling them.”

Now, Eli’s brows raised. “Is that…a possibility?”

“Oh yes – Force manipulation of creatures with less will is something that can be done.”

~***~

Ryker heard the questions, but initially ignored them as he reached the door, until everyone else seemed to fall silent. He rolled his eyes and glanced back, “You’re not a gunner,” he told Ayla, “unless you actually are, in which case you can help with that respect when we get to Seswenna. Otherwise, you can go help Asara make sure our tractors are ready when we get there.”

Boarding was a complicated process in space, but the tractor was the key to it.

He couldn’t pull another ship into his, but the tractor stabilized the position of the opposing ship, and also tended to fuck up their electronics so they couldn’t do anything – once locked in. That was the main problem, making sure it was strong enough and aimed right to lock in the ship.

He’d leave that to Asara and the Jedi, though.

He and Aro were good enough on the guns.

The droid could hack the ship to shut it down once they got on and take it over.

Then they’d steal whatever they wanted.

An easy job, in theory.

 

[cleopat]

At first Karyn was caught off guard by the question, but she straightened and knew she could answer similarly to how Eli answered Octavia.

Not that she sought praise or anything. But it was nice to gain affirmation that she was headed on the right path for preparation to the planet. That she could survive in the wild jungles of whatever planet she is sent to, despite being in the Imperial Navy.

The ability to gain a skill previously unknown was just proof of how she was capable of more than her current rank.

Karyn furrowed her brows. “I’ve heard of Jedi being able to control animals, but I wasn’t sure how true that statement was.” Most rumors that surrounded the Jedi tended to be laced with some exaggeration, but she also knew to not underestimate them. “I guess I didn’t think about that Jedi sending creatures to attack us. Have you seen that happen before?”

Octavia spoke as if she knew for a fact that’s what Jedi can do. It made Karyn wonder how much she knew about the Jedi that was the actual truth. She really didn’t want to find out the hard way.

~~~

Standing up and making her way over to Asara, Ayla shrugged her shoulders and made a noncommittal grunt. “I know a thing or two.” She had to pick up a lot of skills during the Clone Wars in order to survive and to make sure everyone around her survived.

But she would help Asara with making sure the tractors are prepared without complaint.

“Come on, I’ll show you where the tractors are and everything else you need on this ship!” Asara was just as perky as before, and Ayla could only hope she didn’t ask a lot of questions concerning Jedi.

But if she did, Ayla would respond in kind.

Asara showed her the tractors, and they both inspected everything to ensure it wouldn’t fail on them in the middle of all the action.

Of course, Ayla answered a lot of questions Asara had about the Jedi. She was young and curious, and it felt almost cathartic to talk about her past.

“Okay, one more question for today, I promise,” Asara said as they moved back into the main area. With Ayla’s nod and smile, she continued, “Is it true that the Jedi were,” she lowered her voice, as if afraid to speak the next word too loudly, “celibate?”

Ayla snorted and took her seat. “No.” There would be no elaborations, no explanations. Leave them with some mystery and intrigue.

 

[Lucyfer]

Karyn held doubt. It truly was amazing how so much was so easily erased. Within a generation, it was almost all gone. Octavia knew she was privileged with information others didn't have. The Tarkin initiatives had plenty of research going into the Force.

It also helped that she understood this power a bit more than most.

“Not from a Jedi,” Octavia answered, “but it is a talent of the Force. There is plenty. If you ever get a chance to watch old films about the Jedi, it's surprisingly educational. Or if you stumble on footage of the Clone Wars.”

Most of that was erased or held safely away, but it was a large galaxy. Footage of Jedi feats existed.

“You've seen others use the Force?” Eli was bewildered.

She scoffed a laugh, “Of course. Haven't you met Darth Vader?” Eli shook his head, but the realization touched his eyes.

Octavia nodded as she rose, “You'll see some, soon.” She said it as a promise, “I hope you both enjoy your meals,” she was done scaring them, for now.

~***~

Ryker would remain in the cockpit until they left lightspeed, hearing reports over their systems periodically. Everything seemed to be in order, so all that was left was to find the ship headed for the Mottis and disrupt it. Once he pulled out of lightspeed, the tension flowed into his veins.

His scanners picked up nothing, which was good. He'd come out beyond the main highways, so keeping his scanners up, he made his way towards Seswenna.

It always struck him as funny the system wasn't named after Eriadu. Perhaps Wilhuff planned to fix that gross oversight one day.

Eventually, his systems began to ping the other ship, so he called over the comms. “Ship detected, within five minutes. Take your stations,” he said, before activating what little cloaking this ship had. He had to make sure this was the right ship first and he didn't want to be noticed ahead of time.

He couldn't become invisible, but so long as they weren't looking out any windows, he shouldn't show up on their sensors for a bit.

 

[cleopat]

Karyn stared at the spot Octavia had sat in, blinking silently for a moment as she considered the woman’s words.

She couldn’t even consider watching an old film about the Jedi…the topic seemed almost taboo, though she was curious about a lot of things. Moreso out of fear, but the true curiosity remained.

And then the scariness that was Darth Vader…

Karyn shuddered and brought herself back to the present. “How do you feel about all of this?” she asked Eli, absentmindedly stabbing her fork into her eggs. “I think she just helped me consider a whole new list of fears for this mission.”

~~~

Ayla looked up with the simple instruction delivered over the comms. “Time for the fun to begin,” Asara said with a grin, and they both moved to their stations, or rather, Ayla followed Asara, passing by Kasimir who was equipping himself with blasters and a vibroblade. Just in case.

Ayla allowed herself to reach out with the force, to see if she felt anything in particular about the ship and their mission. Nothing felt off, but she couldn’t sense any good either. Just neutral. She would just have to play up her confidence to ensure that she didn’t falter, and that she didn’t let anyone down on her first time with them.

The potential excitement made her feel a little giddy, though she masked that emotion behind a facade of cool composure, a look she mastered many years ago.

“Just remember, Jedi,” Kasimir said, “We’re ultimately here to fuck up the Empire. Try not to destroy anything that we can sell for a pretty credit, but anything else is fair game.”

Ayla smirked. “Duly noted.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli noticed the way Octavia impacted Karyn. ‘She’d be terrified if she knew the nexu was right there.’ And still might be. Eli couldn’t confirm it followed Octavia, after all. It was invisible! Octavia used fear as a weapon, that much was obvious, but there was a less obvious question: why?

In theory, they were allies here.

She could have used it to make them aware of their situation. Karyn noted she had more things to worry about, which was true. There were many more things to consider now, however none of that felt…friendly.

‘The Doctrine of Fear.’ It came to mind, the alternative name for Wilhuff’s speech when he became a Grand Moff. Eli barely knew it, other than its emphasis on military strength, but he knew how easily Wilhuff wielded fear. It must have been the favorite weapon of the Tarkin family.

And how little they had to do to wield it!

“There’s always unknowns that can happen on any mission,” Eli said, forcing a smile, “I wouldn’t let it get to you too much. She doesn’t seem afraid, nor does Thrawn – and we know he’s studied things, in his own way.”

He wouldn’t send them to their death – would he?

~***~

Under cover of cloak, Ryker was able to get closer to the ship he was hoping was his mark, and not one of the Outland Security Forces ships. That was the last thing he needed to deal with right then. Thankfully, it did appear to be the ship he was looking for, and he remained under the cloak until he knew he needed the boost of speed.

It dropped, and he boosted his ship forward immediately.

A hailing signal came through, but he ignored it, “Aro.”

A silo of missiles was sent out into the side of the ship, ion in nature to further fuck with the electronics of the ship. It hit the broadside, and Ryker fired out the second silo as the ship tried to move away, and he watched it shudder as its electronics and shieldings were damaged.

A third, and a fourth, and the ship ahead stopped moving.

“Asara.” He spoke over the comms.

Tractor to lock it in, and then they’d just step on board. “Aro, prepare to take over the helm, and keep the scanners up.”

“I know, I know,” Aro all but rolled his eyes.

 

[cleopat]

Karyn wasn’t completely pacified with Eli’s attempt at soothing her nerves. Octavia was a wild card. They didn’t know her, and she seemed to thrive on chaos, but Thrawn…Maybe Eli was right. If Thrawn wasn’t worried, they had no reason to be!

Though Karyn could not recall ever seeing the Grand Admiral worried, even through situations they most certainly had every reason to worry.

Did he even know that expression?

“Maybe you’re right,” she said with a sigh, standing up with her empty try clasped in her hands. “Maybe there’s nothing to be worried about.” Famous last words. “I guess I should use this last little bit of time to try and relax and maybe read up a little more on the planet.”

~~~

Asara was quick to activate the tractor and lock in the damaged ship. As Ayla had nothing else to do for preparation but just sit and wait, she watched everyone else move on the ship in sync with one another, doing what was needed to board the unexpecting ship.

Like a team.

It had been far too long since Ayla worked with anyone like a team. That involves some kind of trust, something she definitely didn’t hold for the crew. Rather, her curiosity helped her work with them. She just hoped that the Force would tell her if someone planned something foul against her.

When the ship was ready to step aboard, the others went ahead, but Ayla stayed back just to wait for Ryker. This was her first time doing anything like this, she certainly wasn’t going to be alone for it! “I don’t know how you guys normally start these things, so I figured I would watch the leader in action,” she said with a grin once she saw Ryker.

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli definitely hoped he was right as Karyn rose to head out. “Yeah, probably,” Eli agreed with a bit of a chuckle. “That or Eriadu,” a half joke, although that did have him wondering. Should they research Tarkin instead?

Thrawn was probably already on that, of course.

It might not hurt to look into what kind of planet it was, though. Eli just imagined it as a sprawling cosmopolitan planet like Coruscant, but less, somehow. Wilhuff always felt more Core than Core, so why not expect a similar planet?

Perhaps that was the error the entire time.

Eli made a mental note to learn more about Eriadu before he next saw Octavia, “I’ll see you around, Karyn,” he would let her leave, and continue his interrupted breakfast, hoping there wasn’t a nexu ready to steal his plate.

~***~

The tractor drew the other ship in close, and Ryker extended the bridge that would connect their ships to its door. He grabbed an energy shield on his way, as he knew the others would. Plenty of ships tried to fire on them at the point of entry.

The team was waiting at the bridge, and Ayla was there as well. He just rolled his eyes at her comment, “Just stay safe. I don’t have a spare shield,” indeed, he’d only bought enough for the current crew, but Ayla was a jedi. She could probably handle blaster fire without a shield.

Ryker led across the bridge to the door, where LE-37 opened the door using the panel on the side. There was indeed a hail of blaster fire that came out as the door opened, but the shields were up and protected the crew from the shots, before Ryker snuck a shot from behind his and killed one of the crew.

The others managed their own shots, and Ryker called out, “Drop your weapons and no one else needs to get shot!”

Just exploded when their ship self-destructed.

The firing stopped, the weapons were dropped, “Get the weapons, Kas,” Ryker ordered. No need to keep them lying around to be used against them. He’d let his crew file in to spread out and prepare to offload the shipment, while the others cowered. Ryker could deal with that part – why else have rope? He pulled the rope he’d grabbed off his belt.

“Hands forward,” he commanded, and as soon as it was done, he began to tie them up, “how many others are there?” he doubted all had come this way.

 

[cleopat]

Thrawn’s day had started quite early, despite also ending his previous day quite late. He nearly skipped breakfast, before ultimately deciding to request someone to bring him something from the caf. After all, what kind of example would he be setting by skipping what was arguably the most important meal of the day?

Maybe one day he would even show up in the caf.

A bit after breakfast, Thrawn finally received word from Ithor concerning their request for a meeting about the Jedi, which they accepted for one later that day. Not much more time to prepare then. He immediately sent out a message for Octavia to meet him in his office.

He debated about sending one to Eli Vanto to meet him as well, but he stopped himself. There may be something of a more confidential matter they needed to discuss. And there was more to Octavia that Thrawn wanted to figure out.

And all the while, he would not think about how he still thought about their little gym session.

~~~

Ayla frowned, not liking the idea of not having an energy shield. Sure, she could prevent some blaster bolts from hitting her, but not all of them. How many Jedi died from mere blasters when ambushed?

But that was a complaint for another time.

When the shots bombarded the crew, Ayla stayed behind the others, as their energy shields took the brunt of the attacks. Eventually, the blasters ceased, and no time was wasted before they were tied up.

Ryker asked them if anyone else was on board, and for a moment, no one answered him, though some sent glares that hinted at what they wanted to say. A woman spoke up, “There’s no one else.”

Ayla, who had already been using the Force to help her determine any other movement on the ship, scoffed. “We aren’t fools. There are five others on the ship. Two of them are headed our way.” That shut the woman up, who looked at Ayla with anger and slight shock.

 

[Lucyfer]

Octavia’s world was alight with screens. Her bugs were in place around most of Thrawn’s ship, and feeding information back to her. Prince napped on the floor, while T0k, the rather demented interrogation droid, hovered about with several of its spindly metal arms out, running the information through its systems and organizing it.

It was in that chaos Thrawn’s message came through, and she opened it, “Finally,” she breathed out to herself and stood, disturbing Prince from his nap, “I’ll be back, keep sorting everything, Tok,” she instructed the droid, to a whir of beeps, before she left the room.

Prince stayed as he was.

Octavia could have sent a message to Thrawn to let him know she was on the way, but she opted not to. He’d learn soon enough she could be prompt to a fault; she’d only answer if she wasn’t going to be.

So, she arrived at his office on the ship, and pressed down on the button besides the comm to announce her arrival, resisting the strong urge to see if she would be able to open it on her own.

~***~

Five others. Two headed this way. ‘Useful trick.’ Ryker wondered how accurate it was. Did it pick up any droids? He didn’t think it worked that way or the Clone Wars wouldn’t have dragged on like it did.

“We’ll wait for the two to arrive, then look for the other three,” Ryker instructed, and indeed, when the two arrived, they were greeted by several blasters, and the command to surrender. They opted to do it, “Get the crew into a storage closet, Aro, Asara.” He ordered, “We’ll find the remaining three and bring them along shortly.”

Ryker looked over to Ayla then, “Can you lead the way to the others on the ship?” one was likely still in the control room or cockpit, trying to get systems up and running. The other two may be there as well, or elsewhere.

But if Ayla could guide, that would take out a lot of searching time, which meant more time to loot the ship for supplies.

 

[cleopat]

Thrawn didn’t imagine someone like Octavia would keep him waiting for too long, so he didn’t bother to get deeply involved in a task. He would only have to rouse himself from his focus too soon.

Just as expected, Octavia didn’t keep him waiting, as he soon heard the chime that indicated someone was at his door, that someone he only assumed was her. He pressed a button at his desk to unlock the door, “Come in.”

He was sitting when he watched Octavia come in, and he gestured for her to do the same, if she so chose to. Thrawn briefly entertained the idea that she wouldn’t just because it was suggested.

There was some curiosity to see that Prince didn’t accompany her.

“I’m sure you already know why I called you here.” He laced his fingers together on top of his desk. “Ithor finally responded, and they have granted our request for a meeting. We are to leave to go planet-side in three hours.” Hopefully the little delay in receiving a response from the residents of the planet didn’t give the hidden Jedi some advantage over them.

They still had the planet on lockdown.

~~~

They waited patiently for the two to join their doomed friends. An easy enough task, with Aro and Asara not so gently shoving the tied up crew into a storage closet.

Ayla turned to Ryker. “Yeah, I can.” She didn’t know exactly where they were right then, but she could follow where the Force pulled her, and easily find them from there. One had to be in the cockpit, maintaining control of the ship. The others could be anywhere. Maybe one was trying to hail help from the Empire.

If that crewmember was successful, then they were operating on limited time.

But with a doomed crew, Ayla debated a moment on using more obvious signs of the Force, or even taking out her lightsaber. It had been so long since she used it in combat, and it would be more beneficial than her blaster.

Still, she led on with her blaster in her hand. The corridors remained silent, but before the turn into the area that led to the cockpit, Ayla stopped and glanced back at Ryker. “There’s one right around this corner.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Octavia approached the desk and did indeed sit, listening as Thrawn relayed the information. They were to go to the planet within three hours. ‘Finally.’ She was growing so bored of waiting, even if she had plenty of other things to focus on. She was never without something to do, after all.

“Good,” she wasn’t bothered by the haste. “Were there any noted restrictions or requirements upon our arrival?” It was always good to know, so if something wasn’t allowed, or was encouraged, she could make sure to abide by the rules in play.

It was more fun to overcome rules than to trick others in these situations. To see just what she could do, within the confines they tried to place around her. Not that the Ithorians were aware they were even involved in such a game.

That made it more fun, in a way.

“Do you intend to take your own personal craft down, and would you prefer I take mine, or would you like us to arrive as a unit?”

~***~

Ryker nodded at this information when it was delivered. He knew, based on the makeup of the ship, they had to be near the cockpit, so it didn’t surprise him there was one near here. Perhaps the only surprise was that it was merely one. ‘Droid, they can’t account for droids.’ Ryker kept that thought in mind as he stepped carefully around the corner.

The door to the cockpit was closed.

He probably should have called for LE-37 to come along, but he wanted the droid to be watching out for any problems with the crew that was already tied up. He still approached the pad alongside the door, hoping his own hacking skills would be enough as he plugged his datapad into it to override its own systems.

Thankfully, it was enough, and the door slid open, showing the captain cursing and trying to get things up and running again. When the door whooshed open, the zabrak paused to look their way, then reached for a blaster.

Ryker was faster.

The shot went right through the zabrak’s chest.