OOM: The Black Talon

[last_kallig]

(OOC: Some lines taken from canon.)

Ibani feels the Vaiken spacedock before she can see it, a bright burst of life amidst the cold of space. The emotions and presence of thousands presses against her mind, floods her senses. For the space of a few breaths it's almost too much to bear as the shuttle comes in to dock. She has never been around this many people before, and it takes effort to pull her senses back, to filter out the cacophony she can feel through the Force.

She gives a sharp shake of her head and glances toward Khem. She moves to exit the shuttle and Khem Val follows, clearing a wide path through his looming presence.

They wind through the station toward the shuttles headed for Dromund Kaas when they are intercepted by a Duros in Imperial uniform. "Greetings, my Lord. I was told to look for someone of your description. A Lord Zash has arranged a berth for you and your companion on the Black Talon."

"I see," Ibani says politely. She's still not used to being addressed by 'my Lord', even if it IS the appropriate title for a Sith. "Well, it would be a shame to waste my Master's forethought. If you would direct me to where the Black Talon waits?"

Comments

[infinitest]

The Duros bows again and leads the way... carefully keeping Ibani between himself and the Dashade; Khem Val seems mildly pleased with the obvious fear his mere presence inspires.

Too large for connecting directly with Vaiken Spacedock, the Black Talon is serviced by quick shuttles from one of the lower hangars. A Gage-class transport, it trades combat power for armoring and room for troops and cargo.

Ibani is guided from the airlock towards a VIP boarding hallway, where an uniformed woman is waiting. "Greetings, my Lord; I'm Lieutenant Sylas, second in command of the Black Talon. It's always an honor to serve the needs of the Korriban academy." She bows to Ibani and offers a nod to a few other people who were brought the same way: a short and slender Chiss woman followed by a strong Rattataki woman, and a burly Rattataki male followed by a petite human female.

[last_kallig]

Ibani doesn't blame him for keeping her between himself and Khem Val. Khem is SCARY.

Ibani inclines her head in greeting to the Lieutenant. "Thank you, Lieutenant. I look forward to the trip."

She glances at the other VIPs and extends her senses a little to get a 'read' on them. Better safe than sorry.

[infinitest]

The Chiss is calm and collected, watching the situation; almost too relaxed. The Rattataki woman is much the opposite, restless and impatient.

The burly male is mildly wary, likely not having expected the VIP treatment; his companion is puzzled and curious.

"Oh, by the way, your droid is in the conference room down this hallway" continues Sylas, pointing to her left. "We just picked it up with the upgrades from Geonosis."

[last_kallig]

Ibani blinks at the mention of the droid. "There must be some mistake, Lieutenant, I do not own a droid."

[infinitest]

Sylas blinks in surprise, then turns to the others... the Rattataki woman smirks. "Hey, if you are offering, I'll take it." The others shake heads, the human female quipping something about someone needing maintenance...

"I don't understand," the Lieutenant sounds puzzled and a tad annoyed "the machine asked for you all the moment it was brought aboard."

"Well," The Rattataki man crosses arms "if it asked for us, we better check what it wants."

Sylas nods to that despite all. "Yes, right; I will arrange for an aide to guide you to your cabins afterwards." A bow to the Sith, and she heads off.

[last_kallig]

Ibani's lips quirk in a small grin at the Rattataki woman's comment.

"Indeed. That would be the fastest way to clear up this little puzzle," Ibani adds at last, agreeing with the Rattataki man she'd bet good credits is a bounty hunter.

Time to see what the droids wants.

[infinitest]

Down the hallways then, to the conference room where a protocol droid is waiting. "Ah, greetings! My name is NR-02. My functions include diplomacy, translation, manslaughter, and calumniation." It speaks in a nice, clear voice, without most of the electronic buzz other droids have. "You have been brought here because my master has an urgent need to talk with you."

[last_kallig]

That's....a very odd combination of functions for a droid.

"I see," Ibani says, expression neutral. "And who is your master, that they should require us with such urgency?"

[infinitest]

"Please stand by for incoming transmission." The droid indicates the holoterminal on a table, and it activates to display the image of a powerfully built human male in imperial uniform.

"It's a pleasure to meet all of you" the man speaks in a deep, pleasant voice. "My name is-"

"Grand Moff Rycus Kilran, commander of the Fifth Fleet, second to the Minister of War." The Chiss woman steps forward and bows formally; behind her, the Rattataki female rolls eyes.

"And my personal favorite, the 'Butcher of Coruscant'" the Grand Moff smiles politely. "It's encouraging to see Imperial Intelligence dedication in action."

[last_kallig]

Ibani has heard of Grand Moff Kilran, although she's never seen him. Had the man been born Force-sensitive, Ibani's quite sure he'd be on the Dark Council. He has the temperament of a Sith if not the ability to throw lightning.

Sith respect power, but they do not bow before non-Sith. Ibani does, however, incline her head respectfully, an acknowledgement of the Moff's power. "Grand Moff," she says politely. "I'd introduce myself, but I'm quite certain you already know who we are," she adds, her tone dry.

[infinitest]

"Yes, indeed I do; you were selected to deal with a certain... situation" the Grand Moff speaks while keeping his hands behind his back most of the time. "A few hours ago, a Republic Ship, the Brentaal Star, escaped an imperial blockade carrying a special passenger; this passenger, codenamed 'The General', is a defector, a traitor who secured asylum by offering to reveal Imperial secrets to our enemies."

"Very nice and all" the male rattataki raises a brow "but what does it have to do with us?"

"It's simple: the Black Talon is the only ship in range and available to intercept the Brentaal Star and stop The General before they reach Republic Space" Kilran continues with the minimal gesturing, and mostly emotionless tone. "Captain Orzik, the officer in charge, refused to comply with my orders; I want you to take control of the Black Talon, chase the Republic ship, and capture or kill the traitor."

[last_kallig]

"What class of ship is this Brentaal Star, another transport?" Ibani asks with a raised eyebrow.

A captain of an Imperial ship does not refuse the orders of a Grand Moff lightly, not when the price of refusal is so high.

[infinitest]

The droid speaks up then. "The Brentaal Star is a Thranta-Class corvette, a close match to this ship. Captain Orzik's decision to refuse the Grand Moff's orders is not justified."

"Quite;" continues Kilran "but time is critical, and your opportunity to intercept the Star before it reaches Republic space is fading quickly."

"Huh. You can order these people around," the Rattataki man speaks up again, indicating Ibani, the Chiss and respective companions "but me and Mako don't work for free."

"You are a bounty hunter, my friend," the Grand Moff actually smiles,"and you will be generously compensated for your efforts should you you succeed."

The (officially established as) bounty hunter looks at his companion, who gives a half-shrug. "We could use the credits, yeah." The man nods to her, and then to Kilran. "Righteous; we're going after your man."

[last_kallig]

Ibani's not terribly familiar with ship classifications, so she takes Kilran at his word. She can always get the captain's side of the story once they reach him.

"It would be a shame for that much information to end up in Republic hands," Ibani admits. "I will assist in this endeavor."

[infinitest]

"Marvelous; I hope to hear very good news from you all soon" the Grand Moff offers a nod to the group. "Kilran out."

After the holo disconnects, NR-02 speaks again. "We should head to the bridge; expect armed opposition to meet us on the way."

As a response, the bounty hunter checks his blasters and his companion does likewise; the Chiss woman slips on a visor and pulls up the hood of her cloak, while her companion simply flashes a grin and starts out of the room.

[last_kallig]

Ibani checks her lightsaber briefly, and ensures that it's in an easy draw position.

Khem seems pleased at the thought of armed opposition, which does not surprise Ibani in the least.

She turns to head to the bridge, confident that Khem and the others won't be far behind.

[infinitest]

They aren't; but the bridge access corridor is blocked, by an energy shield and a few marines. "Halt!" the tall lieutenant gestures for the group to stop. "This is a restricted area, Captain Orzik's command, you have to leave immediately."

[last_kallig]

Ibani raises an eyebrow at the lieutenant, every inch the proud and confident Sith. "For your sake, Lieutenant, I suggest you stand aside. You should know that your attempt to stop us will only spend your blood for nothing."

Ibani's certain she and Khem could take them alone, never mind what might her new companions could bring to bear on this situation.

[infinitest]

"My orders are very clear; nobody but crew is authorized into the bridge until we arrive at Dromund Kaas." He is serious about it.

"Huh," the bounty hunter has a hand on a blaster, casually "I didn't plan to pick a fight with a whole ship, but I can always charge the Moff hazard pay."

His companion eyes him. "You better be kidding..."

The Rattataki woman smirks. "I hope he's not."

[last_kallig]

Ibani extends her will toward the Lieutenant's mind, but finds he is more stubborn than most. Mere persuasion isn't going to work on this one and she has no desire to try and crack his mind like an eggshell.

She releases a trickle of power, enough to produce a feeling of dread and menace in those close by. Then, she reaches out with the Force to wrap a 'hand' around the Lieutenant's throat and squeezes lightly. The pressure's not enough to hurt him. Yet.

"Let us pass, Lieutenant," she commands. "I won't ask a third time."

[infinitest]

The other marines reach for their weapons, Ibani's 'team' does likewise... and then a firm, strong voice calls from behind the shield. "Stand down, soldiers. Please, my Lord, release the Lieutenant; he's just following orders." The voice belongs to an uniformed man, who gives a nod to someone further back, resulting on the energy field being lowered.

[last_kallig]

"Captain Orzik, I presume?" Ibani replies as she releases the Lieutenant and withdraws the power that's feeding the feelings of fear and dread. Since the soldiers are standing down, there's no longer a need for violence.

"The Grand Moff is most displeased at your refusal of his order."

[infinitest]

"For whatever it's worth, I take full responsibility for my crew's actions." He nods, then gestures inviting Ibani to head on to the bridge. "Don't get me wrong, my Lord, I'm no coward; I have fought in the war, and I will fight again if needed, but I don't do suicide missions."

[last_kallig]

"That will make things easier on your crew, I'm sure," Ibani replies with a nod as she heads on to the bridge.

"Suicide mission?" Ibani asks with a raised eyebrow. Oh, she has a bad feeling about this. "We were told the Brentaal Star was a close match for this ship."

[infinitest]

"In wartime configuration, the Black Talon would be a fair match to a Thranta-class corvette; as this ship is equipped and crewed right now, we have about half the combat strength of the Star." The bridge personnel stands and salutes the Captain, then bows to Ibani. "We could survive an engagement for a limited period of time, but we lack the firepower and manpower to accomplish what the Grand Moff wants."

"You lacked the manpower, captain" the Chiss woman speaks softly.

"Weaklings afraid of death" mutters Khem.