Private A Crucible of a Cruise

[Vulpesen]

Location: Somewhere along the inner-rim
Loadout: Corporate Loadout
Objective: Relax

Running a planet was hard. Laws and bills had to be read then accepted or vetoed. Force traditions had to be respected by monitored. Senate oversight was always a pain whether it be local or part of the greater factions in the galaxy. On top of that, trying to run a successful arms and mercenary company in conjunction with a military unit in the Galactic Alliances' armed forces all lead to one very stressed out Valde. Such was the reason Vulpesen had booked himself on the Novalight cruise. A massive dreadnaught of a pleasure ship complete with a gravpark, a zoo, a full botanical garden, and a myriad of other attractions, the Novalight was a place where the galaxy's wealthy could escape from their troubles for a time and kick up their feet.

Vulpesen, in his youth, had not been among the wealthy and elite. The adopted son of a small time beast merchant and later a jedi, left him with few funs, and thus his time on such vessels was usually a part of some duty or another. But now, sitting in one of the many cantinas scattered around the space yacht, Vulpesen simply let the beat of the music thrum against his chest, his tail swishing to the tune as he sipped at the whiskey in one hand while another tapped a clawed nail against the hard wood of the bar.

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

It was rare for Aren to interact with organics. Most of her time was spent in her laboratory hidden on Denon. Her dead Master had been a considerate man, leaving her with a veritable fortune. She didn't blindly waste it normally and didn't have to. Not with her ability to play with electronics and information. She was a digital shadow, proud and knew she was strong in that sense. What she also knew was that she needed a vacation.

Altering the data-encrypted information on the cruise and making it match the ID she carried was easy. Now all she needed to do was sit back, relax, and take a load off her mind. And that's when EL, Red, and Sam all wanted her attention. They demanded she leave their quarters and mingle. Her robots mutinied and pushed her out of their room with her bag and a handful of credits. Just in case the drinks weren't free.

Pulling her bag to her shoulder, she stuffed the credits into a pocket and grumbled to the nearest cantina. This being her first time outside the cabin, she wandered around aimlessly until she found the bar on the other side of the spacious room and dance floor. The flashing lights blinded her for a moment, and once her sight was regained, she saw an empty spot next to what looked like an exceptionally humanoid Amaran, at least, from behind.

Taking the stool away from anybody looking for a seat, Aren ordered her first drink. While waiting for it, she glanced at what she still thought was an Amaran and quickly realised her error.

"You're not an Amaran, what are you?"

It has not been said that she had started relationships with organics very well.

Vulpesen

 

[Vulpesen]

Amaran? Vulpesen's tail lashed and his head whipped to the voice of the woman beside him, curiosity filling his hazy gaze. To the best of his knowledge, the last person to mistake him for an Amaran had been himself, and that was many decades ago, back when he had been too young t understand the concept of his own adoption. Of course, the illusion had not lasted long. A lack of fur and, at the time, a tail had been some rather large hints that there was something different about him in regards to Zarro, his adoptive father.

"No, I certainly am not." He took a long sip of his drink before fixing her with a fanged smile. "Zorren. Amarans tend to be shorter and more fuzzy." As the words left his mouth, Vulpesen found himself bombarded by nostalgia and fond memories. A childhood spent running through the trees and watching his old mentor barter over eopies and maalraas. It was a pleasant reverie, though short lived as he returned his attention to his present company. "Been around that system before?"

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

"Not their planet, but Commenor. I encountered one who was a Jedi. He needed some technical help."

Her drink arrived, and Aren sipped it while she digested his answer.

"Yes, but I figured people came in different sizes, Amarans might as well. Just like dogs, they have different sizes too. He was nice, and I got paid for the job he hired me for."

Shrugging as she took another drink, she set it down and looked at him closely. She wasn't the best at reading people and didn't notice she had brought up memories for him.

"Aren D'Shade."

Vulpesen

 

[Vulpesen]

He nodded at her response and leaned against the bar. Her comparison brought out a chuckle from him. No doubt Zarro and many other Zorren's would have taken offense to being called dogs, though he had to admit their vulpine appearance was quite similar to a few hounds he had seen in his days. "Vulpesen Torrevaso. A pleasure to meet you miss D'Shade." The galaxy was filled with all sorts and he was always happy to meet a new face. One never knew when a stranger would turn out to a recurring acquaintance.

"So, what brought you to the Novalight? Celebrating something or just needed a break?" Having come from small means himself, he felt that he wasn't one to judge, though the Valde had to admit that Aren did look a bit young to afford such a trip. Though there was the chance she was skilled enough to make credits hand over fist. Hard work and talent certainly had their worth.

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Inclining her head as he introduced himself, she took another sip and then ignored the drink for the moment to answer his question.

"I needed a break. What about you? It's also nice to meet you."

Always working wasn't fun, and her droids were right. She needed this time away from Denon, and now that she was out, she would make the most of it. Finishing off the drink, she motioned for another one and waited for it and his answer to arrive.

"If I had to guess, you're also here for some time off. From what, I have no idea though. You'd have to tell me. I work with technology."

Keeping it simple like that, she didn't say it was legal or not.

Vulpesen

 

[Vulpesen]

"Needed a vacation before getting back to my other job. Been running an arms company and dabbling in politics. In truth, I've barely had a moment to sit the last couple months, let alone sleep." Given the amount of hats that the fox tailed man tended to wear, he found it was often best to binge his duties at home, then abroad. The former seemed to take far more of his attention, often requiring sleepless nights as he caught up on the proposals and bills placed on his desk while he was away.

"So I suppose that puts you right on the money." His fanged smile disappeared briefly behind his glass as he enjoyed a burning sip of amber. "Still, as stressful as my work can be, I'd be helpless in your trade. Technology and I don't tend to agree. I figure out what soldiers need, but I leave it to smarter men than me to figure out how to make it work. The more fancy the gizmos get, the more lost I become." For all his abilities with the natural side of the force, Vulpesen wasn't completely useless with technology. He could fly a ship and he knew his way around a datapad, but as soon as higher functions and codes got mentioned, he suddenly felt like the average person when the force was discussed. He might follow the basics concepts, but anything beyond that left him floundering.

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Her drink arrived, and she allowed it to rest for a few minutes before taking a sip. Listening to what he had to say, she understood exactly what he meant. While they were in two different fields, her work could also keep her up at night.

"My parent had wanted me to get into politics, but that meant dealing with organics all the time. That would have made me miserable. How do you handle that? As much as you'd be helpless with technology, I would be the same with yours. If you're ever needing any work done, though, I'd be happy to quote you a price."

It would depend on what he might need done, but she felt her prices were reasonable. The Force also helped, but he didn't need to know that.

Taking a drink, she was quiet for a moment longer.

"Do you represent any government?"

She could hold an everyday conversation when she wanted to.

Vulpesen

 

[Vulpesen]

"I have a few good friends among my advisors. They often remind me that its against policy to defenestrate people, even if its been a long day." He lifted his glass and drained it down to a single swallow. "And this helps once the public work is done." It wasn't that Vulpesen disliked people. His willingness to speak with a complete stranger was a testament to his enjoyment of company. It was simply the inefficiency of political bureaucracy that annoyed him to no end. Freedom was essential, but democracy did have some draw backs for the man in charge of keeping it unified.

"I suppose I work with the Galactic Alliance, though my allegiance is the planet of Veradune." That he was less aligned with the planet and more in charge of it was something that he kept to himself for the moment. People sometimes acted strangely when they learned you were a ruler. Besides, it was nice to act with some semblance of normalcy. "I might take you up on that offer. Most of our advanced technology is imported, and while we have a few technical experts, my peoples' talents generally lie elsewhere." He lifted his drink up for another drink, then cursed as a sudden lurch sent the meager contents spilling across his suit while his claws dug into the bar to keep him in his seat.

The lights flickered then shut off, quickly replaced by red emergency lights. The Valde's reaction was unconscious, his saber staff appearing unlit within one hand while a small blaster appeared in the other. He didn't sense any immediate danger through the force, but that didn't mean that there wasn't something terribly wrong. "The hell?"

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Listening to his answer, she surmised he was a leader or close to one if he had advisors. She wouldn't hold that against him and would continue to treat him like she has been.

"Indeed, this can help greatly."

Picking up her glass at his comment, her own drink went down smoothly, and then the lights went out. It wasn't because she'd had too much to drink either. Her empty glass slid over the other edge of the bar, and she was on her feet, looking around just as fast as he was.

A clarion call was going off in another part of the shi,p and it didn't bode well for the people aboard. Reaching out with the Force, she mentally tapped into the private communications of the ship and listened to the conversation.

"I think one of the power supplies has gone out."

Depending on which one it was, this could be fixed easily, or they might be in deep poodoo.

Vulpesen

 

[Vulpesen]

His ears flicked then pinned back in response to the blaring alarm and his saber slipped back into his suit tucking neatly into the folds of fabric. "Main generator I think." His eyes widened as a surge of emotion ran through him. Pure raw emotion, untouched by higher thought and thoughts riddled with pesky reasoning. Amidst the fear and worry he felt amongst the sentient inhabitants of the ship, there was also exhilaration and... freedom. "And I'm pretty sure someone forgot to hook the back ups to the zoo's security measures.

He hopped of his stool and started to the door, weaving through the crowd. "I hate to presume," he called back behind him," but I'll probably need a hand! I can get the beasties back into their habitats, but I need someone who can wire the doors shut!" He sidestepped a giggling drunk woman to stand in the threshold. At least this area of the ship would be safe for the moment. Life support and gravity seemed to be holding, or at least, there was enough air for that not to be an immediate issue. It was the place with exotic gnashing fangs and claws that presented an issue for the Novalight's ratings and reviews.

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

"Hopefully, that won't affect the life support systems. Lights...elevators being out of commission will help keep the animals on their floor. One good thing to come out of this, I suppose."

Her eyes followed his shadow momentarily before he stopped and turned to face her. He more than politely asked for her help, and who was she to say no? Keeping a firm hold of her bag, she readily used it as a weapon to keep the drunks from falling onto her.

"It seems you have better hearing than I do. Lead the way, Master Torrevaso."

Who said she couldn't be polite in a stressful situation?

Vulpesen

 

[Vulpesen]

"So mind the stairs. I doubt a rancor knows how to push a button anyways." He lifted his pistol up, giving the small weapon a skeptical look. True enough he had commissioned its creation, and he stood by every VSF weapon made. Or rather, he stood by every weapon made as it was used for its purpose. The spaniel was made for diplomatic emergencies. A robbery, a kidnapping, some instance where generally squishy target could be easily perforated with some plasma shaped deterrents. While that would certainly work on several of the beasties down stairs, there were a few he was rather certain would only become annoyed if not enraged by the weapon.

"Hearing is part of it, but I've got something else of an edge when it comes to sensing the lives of those around me. Something I think you might be familiar with." He, of course, hadn't missed her brush with the force when their emergent situation began. It was odd though, like a child touching a snake and expecting slime and wetness when instead they only find dry smooth scales. He recognized the force, but however she accessed with it, whatever she touched with it, was foreign to him. Not so foreign that he believed her to be some rare sect, but she certainly practiced in some area of expertise far from his own.

All around them, passengers milled about in various states of confusion and panic with crew members doing their best to bring order to chaos. For his part, Vulpesen mostly ignored the goings on of the general public, though he did reach out to touch the minds of those who felt the need to wrangle the two force users moving against the crown. His time as a jedi shadow had been some time ago, leaving him rusty, but the Wilder still held enough proficiency to influence and slip past those with more immediate concerns and distractions. "Zoo's only two floors down so its not gonna be too hard to reach. Still, get ready for a party. No doubt we had it easy up here."

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

"Haven't you seen the holo recordings of rancor fights? They might be dumb normally, but sometimes one is bright enough to know how to push a button. Usually to the detriment of whatever they are fighting."

If he looked at his pistol with a forlorn look, she did the same with her bag of tools. They weren't weapons! She had a blaster that she had never even fired before. Hand-to-hand was virtually unknown, but she could throw a mean punch and escape.

However, if the person had any technology on them or in their bodies, they were in trouble. Aren could exploit her technological skills and override their enhancements. Of course, nothing in a zoo should have any implant like that. Sighing almost miserably, she heard what Vulpesen said but chose not to respond to it right away.

As he distracted the people who were trying to get in their way, she pulled key cards out of their pockets. The security here wasn't ready to deal with two Force users, even if one of them was barely trained at least, in the general use of it. Aren had honed her skills and knew where she was strong. She might be able to provide the finesse to his raw power.

"Of course. Just trading one form of organic for another."

Vulpesen

 

[Vulpesen]

A rancor in an elevator... the thought was as comical as it was concerning. Which was all the more reason for him to hurry up and get to the animal enclosures. "Those may come in handy. Hopefully they'll help with locking up the cages once we contain the beasties." Avoiding the elevators, Vulpesen made his way to the stairs. sure the route would be a little less direct, but he doubted that the lifts would run on emergency power, and if they did, there was certainly no guarantee that they would remain optional.

As soon as they reached the stairs however, the panic of the situation would become apparent. Vulpesen's ears sensitive as they were, could hear the screams below and he heard the trampling feet even before the first of the flood of passengers came barreling up the stairs, pushing and stomping over each other in an attempt to find safety in the floors above. "Hellfire," he growled as he called upon the force, creating a bubble around himself. People spun away and grunted as they ran into the invisible wall. Confusion showed on a few of their faces but most simply tried to push past, flowing around the invisible obstacle on their dash upwards. "Might need to take the more direct route! How are you with heights? Specifically falling from them?"

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Tapping one of the cards against her forehead, she indicated that it was the same thought she had and why she had borrowed them. Clutching her bag like her life depended on it, it might prove to be true, not just her life, but many on this cruise. Usually, she wouldn't involve herself with this kind of problem. With the company, though, there was a good chance of success.

Luckily, Aren stood close enough to Vulpesen and was sheltered by her bubble.

"I'm going to have to learn that one. Alright, hang on. Don't you dare throw me! I can get us down there. Just keep them off of us."

Wrapping a fist into the fabric of his coat, she closed her eyes for a second, and the next moment they were two floors down and standing behind the door, so they weren't going to get trampled. Catching hold of the handle, she held it open as the stream of passengers started to slow down.

"After you, Master Torrevaso."

Making sure there weren't any others trying to come through, she motioned him to go through the door.

Vulpesen

 

[Vulpesen]

"I would never!" He protested, his hands raised in innocence. In truth, he had more planned to carry her, or have her jump of her own accord. What Aren had planned however, made all of those plans moot. The world went black then swirled. The force warped and bent, then strained agiasnt him as he traveled down past the deck and into the floors below. The result was... disorienting. As soon as he had some semblance of bearing, Vulpesen reached out to the railing of the stairs and retched, struggling to hold the contents of his stomach. The recent drinks did not help in that mission, but he managed some success, even if he lost some of the mystique he might have built around himself. "Think I had a friend try to teach me that once... I like falling. Falling's fun." He drew a handkerchief from his jacket to wipe his face. "Especially once you perfect the landings."

Unsteadily at first, but with rapidly rising momentum, he made his way through the door, tucking away the kerchief and his pistol. The damned thing would probably alarm people more than anything and would be useless against any beast that posed a true threat to the passengers and crew. "I'm sensing something big not too far off. Should probably be our first stop before it gets too out of hand."

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

"I would never be able to teach that, I don't even know how I do it."

Noticing he started reching right away, Aren shuffled to the side to give him room in case he vomited. There was no apology from the woman, though.

"How is falling fun? Though I've done a few times too..."

Not bothering to clarify her statement, she followed behind Vulps as he went through the door. Shaking her head, she had no idea how Vulps was picking up on the location of the critters. Pulling the door shut behind them, she did not lock it. That way, if any other organics needed to get through, they could.

Vulpesen

 

[Vulpesen]

"Well its certainly one helluva party trick," he called over his shoulder. Her incredulity at his joy from falling brought a small laugh from the Valde. "Falling is like flying. Gives a feeling of freedom. Its landing that sucks." With that he continued on. It wasn't long however until the source of his intent became clear. No longer sensed through the force, the beast could be heard as it roared and charged through the crowd. All around them, Vendors lay wrecked and people screamed as they shoved and trampled their way away from the area. Then, there it was. A hulk of ruddy brown skin, thick enough to turn away a small blade, and with three massive horns protruding from a face that displayed sheer rage at the people who scrambled around it. A reek.

"Try not to get its attention. Stay ready and find its cage. Hopefully I can get it to calm down." Vulpesen spoke in low tone as he wove through the crowd towards the creature. Taking a deep breath, he allowed the force to flow through him, brightening his world. Colors became sharper, and sounds became crisper. It was as if the galaxy simply came alive. But even that was muted by his surroundings. So far removed from the wilds of nature, Vulpesen could feel a weakness in his connection, though that did throw into sharp relief the signature of the reek. Like a splash of color on a grey canvas, Vulpesen found the animal's presence easy to locate and reach towards. "Easy boy... lets stay calm. No one is here to hurt you."

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

"Well, I don't like flying or falling, Master Torrevaso! I've more than my share of falls and nasty landings. I hope this ship continues to remain up and doesn't fall."

Clinging to the side of the hallway to allow the passengers to flee, Aren saw what they were running from. A beast beyond anything she had seen in person before. A nightmare fuel she had no desire to get close to.

With his advice to not get its attention, she silently nodded. Gulping down some bile, she hadn't even known had come up, she coughed slightly and then groaned. Watching as Vulps calmly approached the reek, she waited until he had its attention before teleporting behind it.

Laying eyes on what she thought was its cage, she ran over to it and activated the shield. It was still free, but with this up again, she could easily disable it while he put it back. There were other beasties to worry about, and a kowakian monkey-lizard just started chittering at Aren.

Vulpesen