Corellia Orbit

[Khari Vestra]

They would certainly have enough time for her to show him just about everything she had bought during her time here, the bill for which had gone on her account rather than the credsticks he had given her, he might have passed out of he'd seen just what she had returned with in terms of change as it were. There was also little doubt as to how much he'd like some of what she had in those many bags too, and he was already starting to take a bit of an interest.

"Try to refrain from tearing any of that before we reach Carratos, won't you? I'd like to actually enjoy wearing something before it goes the same way my last choice in practical wear went...though it does make a very fetching belt."

But that was when she registered what he had said just prior to that, and that caused her no end of amused delight, the resonant ache within finding new fuel with no time at all.

"Here, there, anywhere on command if i had my way......"

Khari knew she shouldn't play up to this, for to do so was playing with fire, but sometimes she just couldn't help herself, if this had been a Kuati manners play, she would have been on the winning side in terms of quips. But real life was something else.

It would have been easy to forget that thought had she been with anyone else, but the kiss he gave her just cemented her choice to speak those words anyway...

"According to my side of this bargain, you do have it very much your way." She murmured against his lips, teasingly nipping at his lower lip before continuing. "Uh, uh...the chance is gone now, too bad."

When she drew back her smile said it all, one point to her, though it might have confused him just how, exactly had it not been for his intent to guide her off the beaten path. Now it was Khari's turn to be confused, instead of heading back to the spaceport as previously talked about, they headed towards the Grande, a hotel not far from their main port of call.
Sliding Tress a rather curious glance, not to mention having no intention of belaying her suspicion, she kept her silence for the time being, just to see how this one played out.

They walked through the main entrance, bypassing reception completely, they walked to one side of the large atrium where Tress drew a very confused Khari to a halt outside one door. Suspicious as ever, she turned her dark eyes on him questioningly, before he took ahold of her hand with his, then dropped something into her palm with a vaguely musical jingle.

"I assume you know what these are...hurry, telbunny."

She opened her mouth to speak a question, but fell silent when it came to looking at what he'd placed in her hand. Yes, she knew what those were...and she knew what he was saying when he said hurry.

"Ah yes, the time constraints...I will only be a moment." As subtle as that, she disappeared beyond the door for just that, a moment, reappearing several seconds later to glance at him innocently, if not expectantly.
The short jaunt back to that door had been highly 'interesting' and he would know it too.

"Where to?" She queried sultry tones lacing her voice, the evidence of his plan writing it's own story in her features, even if it would just be him that would see it for the meanwhile.

[Tress Odak-Zann]

He walked back with her, his hand arm around her resting on her hip jostling her as they walked, a huge grin playing on his lips. There was a method to his madness, for he knew each step, each movement got them closer to that edge. That edge of madness that was always there. He wanted to know what was going through her mind, but he remained silent....knowing and grinning.

They made it to their shuttle stowing away all their bags, and still he didn't stop but guided her on wards to the cockpit. He was going to set the bar of excellence so high there there would be trouble enough if it was ever reached, but this was their game. He couldn't wait for the other things he had planned no, he was raring to go but dragging this out was going to be part of the fun.

Together they got the ship powered up, lifting off after clearance and heading into the atmosphere. He would glance at her from time to time, his eyes dancing with merriment. Finally he spoke, "Having fun, yet?" He leans forward to set the controls giving him that dramatic pause, then added. "Cause there is more to come....." he chuckles as he contacts the SSD Eclipse.

"This is Shuttle K-1321D requesting clearance to land. Once on board the Lady Vestra would like the Admiral to set coarse to Carratos."

"You are cleared to land, Shuttle K-1321D. Message has been relayed to the Admiral...."

He didn't bother to listen to the rest, since he was looking at Khari again. Noticing the tell tell signs of her facial expressions, just as she would with him. They knew enough of the other to know when something was wrong. "I could help if you just 'ask' for it." the way he said left no doubt he meant begging. Wonder how she would deal with that.....

[Khari Vestra]

This had to be the most arduously challenging walk she had ever been on. Not least of all because of what had transpired back there, but what was still very much in motion...as was she. Holding your peace was one thing, but when Tress kept looking at her like 'that', all knowing and smug demeanour, it made things just that little bit harder.

And he insisted on keeping the pace brisk too. She might have cursed him alloud if she hadn't been so concerned opening her mouth here would cause a scene - and he'd love that wouldn't he? Though she had to admit, so would she, for a few moments anyway.
Each step she took was more interesting than the last.

When they reached the shuttle she couldn't have been more thankful, but Khari knew that was hardly the end of it. However now she was fine to speak freely, she didn't give up the measured and troublesome silence just yet, choosing to glare at him when he asked her that question in jest. Before answering him.

"Having fun, yet?" He leans forward to set the controls giving him that dramatic pause, then added. "Cause there is more to come....."

"Why don't you come over here and find out? And I didn't doubt you for a second, you're far too resourceful to leave it at....." the shuttle retracted it's landing gear and they were off to a deliberately shaky start, cutting Khari off for a moment there while she inwardly fought with her own problem once again "....that."

[Khari Vestra]

Some time later....

Aboard the communications suite of the Eclipse, Khari stared in a state of bemused dismay at the sheer number of times someone had attempted to get in contact with her during the time they had been in transit from the surface of Corellia, to the gargantuan ship it's self. While it had not yet moved out of orbit, it's crew prepared to make for Carratos, the messages she had just bore witness to were beginnig to make her believe she should rethink that idea, if just for a temporary moment.

She had long since been pulled from her peaceful sleep and respite with Tress, to answer what she was told was an urgent communique from KDY headquarters amid the array. And if the prior few days events had been anything to go by, she would want to hear this. Arri had been less than vague when she had informed her of what had been going on, and it seemed that the situation had taken a rather interesting turn. But even she wasn't impervious to fatigue.

As she ran a hand back through her lustrous black hair, letting her hand drop idly to rub the nape of her own neck tiredly, she even managed to make the resounding sigh look graceful. But demure appearences wouldn't hide the concern that painted her features, nor indeed the fact that The secretary on the other end of the comm transmission had long sinced ceased speaking.

Blinking away the last ebbs of her reverie, she waved off the miniature hologram of a human female and her confusion, wincing slightly as she did so.

"Apologies, you were saying?"

With all the patience born of professionalism, the other woman repeated what she had been saying a moment ago, before Khari's thoughts had interrupted.

"Colonel Heg'zi Ausbruc Klask wishes to speak with you regarding the incident occurring in the main starport most recently. He regrets to inform you that he has no appointment, but his people seemed quite insistant that I contact you as soon as I was able."


What time was it on Kuat now? Here, at least, it was very, irksomely late in the cycle.

With a theatrical sigh, Khari nodded once, simply, it wasn't as if she could really put this off. But her mind had already been made up in regards to if she should return to Kuat.

"Patch him through." - And let us get this over and done with, she added as an afterthought, catching sight of Tress out of the corner of her eye, as he too slipped into the room.

[Tress Odak-Zann]

He didn't know what was so important to wake them both up when they had just fallen asleep. It had been a long day for them, he had suggested a small nap to regain their strength for the night. But now there he was walking with her to the communications suite aboard the Eclipse, walking to the refreshment area he poured them both a cup of caf while she took her important call.

Cups in hand he makes his way to her, admiring what a woman she was. She was tired there was no doubt about that and he had only himself to blame for that. He placed her cup there for her to reach as he waited and took sips of his own.


"Wonder what this is about?"

[Khari Vestra]

"Lady Vestra, my sincere apologies for the insistence of this direct communique.
I have yet had no guidance from Security Command, therefore I can only presume they have fallen under political pressures from the Ten. I felt it best to have your words on this matter before they come banging on my door."

The colonel was speaking, a gruff man, all pomp and splendor in his later years, he seemed harrowed to say the least. But Khari, as ever, was all business.
Turning to accept the cup of caf that Tress had passed her, she smiled warmly in thanks, taking a sip before placing it to one side...she was going to need that.

"So I was given to understand, Colonel. Astute observation, but this one I see has fallen to me and brought you banging on my door. "I understand much has transpired since my impromptu departure. Rest assured I have delayed negotiations with the RGE to see to it that this...horrible little mess, gets cleaned up as soon as possible. I believe I have you to thank for much of that already? but I digress...the situation?"

And then, leaning just out of range of the comm's speakers, she added for Tress' benefit.

"I wonder how much of this has to do with our Friend?" She reffered to, of course, the Kage.

[Tress Odak-Zann]

"Lady Vestra, my sincere apologies for the insistence of this direct communique.
I have yet had no guidance from Security Command, therefore I can only presume they have fallen under political pressures from the Ten. I felt it best to have your words on this matter before they come banging on my door."

Definitely major problems then it looked like. Political pressure was always bad when someone wasn't around to deal with it before it escalated. This looked to be one of those times. Looked like their trip to finalize things between the RGE and Kuat were on hold for the foreseeable future.

"I wonder how much of this has to do with our Friend?" She refereed to, of course, the Kage.


The Kage of the Grey Jedi.....This was a mess, why all this trouble for some repairs to some ships. This Kage was a troubling thorn at their sides. "He is trouble waiting to happen. Have him thrown off the docks....the disrespect of a lowly back water leader will hardly interfere with the greater scheme of things."
he tells her softly so as not to be over heard.

[Khari Vestra]

With Tress, Khari could only agree, and she did so with a strong nod of agreement. There was a plan forming in her mind, but she needed to know the facts first.


"Transmitting now on your data channel."

The kuati aristocrat watched as the data stream read outs began to filter through the screen next to the holo of the former imperial military man, regarding it with a mixture of indifference and occasional quirks of expression. However she looked at it, she knew she had covered all bases.
But she could go over the fine details after this conversation.

Looking back at Tress, she motioned to him with the single crook of a finger, mouthing a few words pertaining to the data readouts - it would do him good to see this to, he may well pick up on something she missed during the progress of the communication.

That is one of the things I have not been able to ascertain, however he makes it sound like it is both on his ship and a sample of his ship... I verified that upon entry to system he did receive the standard terms code with his clearances.
Again, the Kage is unclear on this point, despite being asked directly to clarify.

Well that was unusual, she hadn't recalled anyone 'taking' anything from the ship per say, neither she nor Tress had actually set foot inside the vessel, much less had a good look at it. Arri, though, she had been in for several moments when they had arrived, exiting just as they had gotten to the ship. But she wouldn't have been stupid enough to try stealing something, what could she possibly gain from that? And as much as the idea irked her, Khari knew the possibilities were endless, but that just wasn't Arri. She might have belonged to the Kuhlvults, but she wasn't one of them.

The Colonel, holding himself aloft, began to read a fraction of the report, quoting the Kage's own words clearly for her to hear. And hear she did, understand was quite another matter entirely. Despite her little white lies about having known anything about a sample being taken, she hadn't actually considered the Kage mad as such, but he seemed intent on proving her right. First the incident that had kicked off in the spaceport, and now this paranoid delusion that something had been taken from him unjustly.

"The only ones who would have been required to board that ship would be the port security and their support following the necessary protocol. Unless something other than the usual was taken, I fail to see why the Kage is displeased. Aside from port security or support, all other scans and procedures would have been external only."
Khari cited curtly, he would know most of this, but it was more of an agreement with Klask than anything. Hopefully he would see it as that, and even if he didn't...

"All that for the sake of a misunderstanding? I think not. It begs me to ask the question if I were correct in suspecting the Kage had alterior motives, or rather he brought his troubles with him when he endeavoured to do business with us." She shook her head lightly, her gaze downcast and pensive for a few moments, before meeting his again, "If the blame lies anywhere, it is with him."

"I do not know his medical history Lady Vestra. Being he is not a citizen of Kuat, his mental well-being bears little on any case against him. While he has been detained, no charges have been brought against him yet. I feel once charges are leveled on him we will see both the Kage and his student return to a destructive frenzy."As a matter of fact, I can guarantee it. If that transpires, there are few non-lethal options I can muster that would reliably put an end to any danger he imposes to the array. Please advise on how we should proceed."

He had her on that one, and she wasn't about to disagree with him. With a single judicious nod, she continued, "I believe as you do, on this matter. When conversing with him personally, he seemed a tad...unusual you could say, in technical terminology, unhinged."

The advice she had in mind would have undoubtedly unsettled many, when she considered this she decided on behalf of the Ten, and without their input in this there would be little she could do in regards to lethal means. Unless the situation demanded no other option, or a code of conduct had been broken in some way, her hands were essentially tied without taking it to a council.

"Our holding cells are doubtless ill equipped for containing Jedi for extended periods of time, that option is already eliminated. The longer he and his student are kept in the dark about our decisions here, the better. We, are too ill equipped to best deal with this, but our imperial allies are not. I would be interested to hear the political stance of the Grey Jedi in regards to that of the EGE...perhaps it is time we got to know our neighbours a little better, hmm?"

The suggestion was encouragable, and if the political circumstances were as she suspected they might be, this could be the opportunity to repay their act of good will in sending aid.

"Tell me, what are the safest, most secure and non lethal options for transporting the Kage and his Genin?"

[Tress Odak-Zann]

When she motioned him with a crook of a finger, he walked closer to see what was wrong. The print out was a report that the KSF Officer had sent to Khari. Tress looked it over quickly, paying attention to certain details he would bring up with Khari in private. This was alot worse than it looked.


That is one of the things I have not been able to ascertain, however he makes it sound like it is both on his ship and a sample of his ship... I verified that upon entry to system he did receive the standard terms code with his clearances.
Again, the Kage is unclear on this point, despite being asked directly to clarify.

That didn't concern him very much, he knew ways to get past accusations if brought against him. In the end there was little or no proof against him doing any wrong doing. The next thing Khari said settled it for him, he might have been aware something was stolen. It was possible with a living ship, but unless he came straight out and accused them of something, there was no need to worry about him.

"The only ones who would have been required to board that ship would be the port security and their support following the necessary protocol. Unless something other than the usual was taken, I fail to see why the Kage is displeased. Aside from port security or support, all other scans and procedures would have been external only."


"All that for the sake of a misunderstanding? I think not. It begs me to ask the question if I were correct in suspecting the Kage had alterior motives, or rather he brought his troubles with him when he endeavored to do business with us." She shook her head lightly, her gaze downcast and pensive for a few moments, before meeting his again, "If the blame lies anywhere, it is with him."

Tress could only agree with that assessment. Whatever happened out there was on the Kage. He was there to gain a contract to repair ships, once that was done he should have left. Him never leaving shows he had something else going on. This was probably some scheme to blackmail KDY.

"I believe as you do, on this matter. When conversing with him personally, he seemed a tad...unusual you could say, in technical terminology, unhinged."

Chuckling he turns away from her to hide his amusement. It wasn't funny this was serious trouble, but he couldn't help himself.


"Our holding cells are doubtless ill equipped for containing Jedi for extended periods of time, that option is already eliminated. The longer he and his student are kept in the dark about our decisions here, the better. We, are too ill equipped to best deal with this, but our imperial allies are not. I would be interested to hear the political stance of the Grey Jedi in regards to that of the RGE...perhaps it is time we got to know our neighbors a little better, hmm?"

He looked her way and raised an eye brow questioningly. What was she saying there, he thought with a smile.
He didn't like to give to much power to the RGE on Kuat, it must remain under Kuati control. She had to be careful not to give them an opening to use to gain a foot hold. If this economic treaty comes through, they would have made a big investment in KDY. They might eventually think that the RGE should have a regional Governor to keep track of their investements. It could happen, and the next thing you would know was Storm troopers would be patrolling the Space docks.


"Tell me, what are the safest, most secure and non lethal options for transporting the Kage and his Genin?"


The SSD jumped into hyperspace their heading was Kaut....

[Tuskers]

The starship Meli exits hyperspace, it's lovely yellow and grey skin shimmering as it drops out of lightspeed.
Suddenly, the ship rocks. There is a battle going on, right where the ship had appeared.
Several fighters are chasing one another, and a few larger ships are starting to trade laser volleys also.
Tuskers quickly jumps into the pilots seat, and starts scanning for friends and foes, to see how he can help.
After scanning the local skies for about 30 seconds, Tuskers says, "Frack. No one I know. No way to tell the good from the bad."
Tuskers leans on the throttle, adjusting his course away from the ships that are attacking each other. "I'll just take the long way to the planet. I have other business than this."
Reaching for the comm unit, he punches up planetary security. "Planetary control, this is the starship Meli. I just exited hyperspace right into a skirmish. Please advise."
"Starship Meli, we have security forces enroute. Advise you not to take agressive action towards our patrol ships, or be fired upon."
"Planetary control, I am making best speed clear of the area, unless you'd like assistance?"
"Negative, sir. We do not take kindly to civilians taking matters into their own hands. Patrol out."
"Meli out." Tuskers punches a button and takes another look at the shields. "Well, Meli, what do you think?"
Tuskers knows his ship isn't afraid of a fight, but he's also not trying to start a diplomatic incident, or to end up in jail again. He plots a course that leads him well away from the fighting before starting to head lower into the atmosphere to approach his destination, the capital, Coronet City.