Depature

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Alex would have liked to come in person. Unfortunately, he could not be seen publicly around Coren right now. People might come to suspect things. In his stead, [member="Ylvaris Desman"] and [member="Marcus Itera"], two of his closest brothers, were sent to provide Starboy a way to their compound. He would have sent the coordinates via the holonet, but he'd come to know [member="Spark Finn"] well enough that he understood nothing was truly secure, save for word of mouth.

"They've arrived. Go where they tell you. We'll be seeing one another in the flesh very soon," the commander cracked a thin smile, though it went unseen. He gave Coren a nod before cutting off the feed, switching to the channel he and his brothers used for things such as this.

"Don't piss him off. He's a good man, and we need him." He quipped into the comm. Had he heard Khelghast's comments about dragging Starboy off? Maybe. "No disintegrations," he snickered, easing back into his chair.

The two men were more than capable of a simple escort. It was something they had done together countless times in the years where the Dreadguard were at their prime. However, that didn't mean Alex wasn't going to remind them not to muck this up.

"I'll have the Ujj cake ready before you get back."

 

[Qyren Leret]

Qyren waited, worried, hovering in the doorway as Alex put in his call to Coren. The news had filtered down to them with surprising speed, given that they were a considerable distance from Alliance space, past her own Outer Rim world, and Alex's reaction had been everything she had come to expect of him: swift, enraged, and unforgiving.

Qyren couldn't blame him this time.

There was always redemption, of course, but based on what Alex was able to grate out as he was barreling down the hall to the holo-communicator, this was not one of those cases. This clone, for lack of a better term, was being placed in charge of the entire war effort, an effort that had been faltering heavily.

The pause when Coren was called away saw some of the tension leave Alex's shoulders and Qyren, always the quiet type, lived up to her role. She leaned against the wall, watching Alex and the holotransmitter in turn, but spoke only some time later when [member="Marcus Itera"] and [member="Ylvaris Desman"] had confirmed they had reached the coordinates.

"Now what, Alex?" she asked quietly, letting her arms fall and moving into the room. Her boot heels made little sound on the floor of the ship, and she slid a hand over his shoulder, looking at him inquisitively. "The Alliance has made a choice, but do you really think it's enough to drive Coren away permanently? He has Spark, and his padawan, Chevu." Where there were ties of affection, it was hard to distance oneself. Qyren studied Alex's helmet as if she could see the face beneath. Almost always, you sided with your loved ones in the end. "He was one of the first in the Alliance."

[member="Alexander Ontonas"] [member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Having Rook on his side was important. The Dreadguard leader and Coren had become very close in the past month, and they both had a similar outlook to the military and the use of the Alliance. It was a free space, but it needed a bit more direction. The Jedi were taking a leadership role, since the inception, but should be used to police things, not as a primary means to represent the Alliance in greater galactic politics.

Even the Chief of State hated that word.

He was flying on his way to the rendezvous, and just waiting to find the shuttle. Could redemption happen? Yes, he supposed. Should it be given a rank and put in charge? No. It should be used to keep the rest of the traitors of the dark side in check and kept in line. Making his way to the rendezvous, he nodded to his astromech. “Make sure the ship gets back to the rally point. I’ll meet you there.”

Porter beeped and whistled at Coren.

“No, I don’t think we’ll see Two Bit for a little. And Sullust for even longer.” He had seen the ship enter atmosphere, all but sensed the real space reversion. He was stepping from his freighter when they landed, and he surveyed the two who disembarked from the shuttle. A blaster on his hip, and his lightsaber, hopefully, with Chevu, another, a shoto, stored in Porter, Coren nodded.

“I know. Been expecting you. Shall we?” He nodded to the ship.

[member="Ylvaris Desman"]
[member="Marcus Itera"]
[member="Qyren Leret"]
[member="Alexander Ontonas"]

 

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Qyren asked a question he was still trying to find an answer to. He had the pieces to a plan; a semblance of a solution to this debacle, but it was complicated. This was not something you could just swoop in a fix in a single evening. This would take time, planning, secrecy. Alex hated the latter, it was the tool of those that had brought the Dreadguard back into this galaxy, but there was a time when his old masters' greatest weapon could provide some use.

Armored fingers rose up to trail across her hand, his lips pressed into a thin line as he pondered. Coren would arrive soon - one of the only men he truly trusted as of late outside of his little family of brothers. How would Starchaser feel about what he was about to propose?

"We wait. The alliance is going to make a larger push against the One Sith, and we'll help however we can," he tilted his head back so Qyren could know he was looking at her from behind that visor. "Coren is strong. He knows you have to set aside your bonds for the rest of the galaxy. It's just how things are."

Though, I doubt I could ever bring myself to leave your side.

"I was one of the first too, sweetheart. I care for it. I want to see it thrive. That means that we can't sit aside and let these...things gain anymore influence within it. Otherwise the Sith will have their in."

He sighed and keyed off the comm. Coren would be arriving soon enough, then they could discuss. The commander slipped off his helmet and ran a hand through short black hair, eyes falling to the Twi'lek woman.

"You've got my back, right?"

[member="Coren Starchaser"], [member="Qyren Leret"], [member="Marcus Itera"], [member="Ylvaris Desman"]

 

[Marcus Itera]

Of course old Rook was gonna remind them not to do stupid things. They usually didn't, but this mission seemed imperative enough to dismiss any potential thoughts racing through their minds involving swoop bikes, lightsabers, and the odd brothel or two. They were a creative bunch, the Dreadguard, but he loved 'em all the same.

The Mandalorian stepped forward to fill the space at Coren's left flank. "Any weapons or contraband we should know about, sir?" From behind a t-visor, seriousness was naturally assumed. But Marcus merely snorted and clapped a hand on Starchaser's shoulder, "Alright, flyboy, let's get you outta here."

He removed his hand and directed their VIP into the starship towards the quarters that had been situated for him. "Refresher's down the corridor on the left, escape pods are aft, and our little chow area's near the cockpit. Let us know if ya need anything."

Marcus cocked his head to Kelghast and moved back to the cockpit, engines igniting and the vessel blasting star-wards.

[member="Alexander Ontonas"], [member="Coren Starchaser"], [member="Qyren Leret"], [member="Ylvaris Desman"]

 

[Darth Eversor]

"Hey flyboy, I like to watch people sleep. You have nice skin." Kelghast went dead silent after saying this, staring down [member="Coren Starchaser"] behind his visor. Suddenly a deep cackle erupted from the former Dreadguard, placing his hands on his knees as his gut began to ache from laughter. "Nah, you're in good hands. Nice to meet you." The veteran adjusted the strap of his submachine gun, his armor ragged and weather-beaten from countless missions and other hazardous tales involving the DG boys. It was good to be back in their good graces again, even if the call to action was a bit abrupt. Kelghast had finally gotten to lounge in his knickers for once, being one of the few times he's seen his own two legs. A tragedy.

[member="Alexander Ontonas"]' comment made the man chuckle once more before he shuffled over to the cockpit and looked outside. The passing by of stars and distant planets made a lad wonder just how far they'd come in the grand scheme of politics and being used as a bully for forces that rather sit back and watch something happen without hesitation or question. As for the Republic, Kelghast wondered if they ever used their best judgement. Service to them was in no way a disservice to the Dreadguard's pride, only that their shady backwater methods made him question their habits. History log reading really helped sometimes. Especially on the toilet.

"Kelly, what happened to you in the Netherworld? You came out a bit more of a freak honestly."

"Shut it, Yuri. I wish I could find a way to strangle you sometimes. Having an AI like you is like being terminally sick and having voices in your head."

"..."

"Just joking, lad. Cheer up!"

"You're weird."

"Yep!"

 

[Qyren Leret]

Could he? Could anyone set aside their bonds for galactic good? Even some Jedi seemed to struggle with it, and theirs was a life of service to the galaxy. Qyren glanced out at the stars ahead of them. Could either of them turn their backs if it came to that? Qyren contemplated it while she listened to Alex. Yes. She thought she could, if Alex ever fell to the Dark Side. [member="Valiens Nantaris"] had ingrained that thinking into her during her padawan training; her time with the Alliance had only solidified it. There was no accepting or working with the Sith. There was no good in the Dark Side. If this new marshal was secretly allied with the Sith-- which Qyren was still not sure about, given Alex's and Coren's temperaments-- then there really weren't any other options. She was going to have to try to gather information on her own as Alex gathered his in preparation for planning. She didn't want to be caught off-guard.

She glanced back at him as he removed his helmet and smiled in spite of the clear unease in his gaze. They were a team. She wasn't one of his brothers, but their relationship had just as much weight in her eyes-- more, in some ways. Things were coming that would test them; whatever plan Alex and Coren proposed would be risky. That was a given. Qyren would have to spend more time training in the interim. She was going to need it.

"Always," the Twi'lek replied without hesitation. She leaned down and pressed a kiss to his lips. It was easy to do, especially as Alex always welcomed the shows of affection when it was just the two of them. Qyren took advantage while she could. There would be little time for anything personal once [member="Coren Starchaser"] arrived; Alex would be back in war mode-- and so would she, for that matter. When it came to work or play, a clear line had to be drawn or mistakes might be made on both sides. Qyren had set those boundaries with Alex early on and was careful to work within them. It helped that she was good at keeping her mind in the game in combat.

She pressed her forehead to his as their mouths separated and quirked a smile at him. I hope there will be some days coming where we can actually take that vacation.

[member="Alexander Ontonas"] [member="Marcus Itera"] [member="Ylvaris Desman"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

There was a lot to do, a lot of planning to get done, and a lot to implement. Was he nervous? No, not really. Coren had a bit of confidence that the people who worked with him would be on his side, and that included a lot of the GADF. That large group of mixed Forcers who were more action oriented and less concerned with their karma. He looked to the Dreadguard, only because there was no… anything in the Force. “Power Nine Blaster. Aside from that, its all on my ship.” Which he assumed was going to be waiting for him when he got back.

Coren nodded at the man. “’fresher, right. I know my way around a ship.” Kind of. Y’know, his name was Starchaser. “And you’ll be the first.” Now this was the type of guy he’d hire to go after bounties, rough enough but not a complete fool. Rook knew how to pick them.

And as much as Coren used the Force, being around the Dreadguard? He knew he was safe here. Even if there was someone watching him sleep. “Whats our ETA, anyhow?”

The ship felt foreign, it was odd. But still, it was a ship. It was comfortable for him.

[member="Qyren Leret"]
[member="Ylvaris Desman"]
[member="Marcus Itera"]
[member="Alexander Ontonas"]

 

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Alex took a moment to cut the feed linking to Ylvaris and Marcus. They could reach him on the comms if they found the need to - the two of them were grown. They could take care of themselves; didn't need him looking over their shoulder throughout their entire pickup. If all went well - there was little inclination that it wouldn't - the trio would arrive within a few hours. From thereon, Alex's little bunker would no longer be a secret, at least to Starchaser. That minuet loss of privacy was something he was more than willing to give up for the cause.

"Figured you would be," he snickered as Qyren surprised him with a kiss. Though caught off-guard, he returned the gesture all the same, arms slipping around her waist as she pressed her brow to his own. "Once everything is stable, we'll get off the warpath. Ylvaris needs something normal to deal with. It'll be good for him. Marcus would probably appreciate the downtime too," a sigh fell from his lips, "I know I keep us busier than either of us would like. Just tough it out a little longer, okay?"

Blue eyes shifted to the command console. Alex did not have the pull Coren did - he wasn't always on the front lines. Commander Ontonas spent just as much time training soldiers as he did fighting them, and Sullust needed someone to keep the peace. Still, he had a number of contacts that would prove useful in the coming days; favors to call upon.

"Now, let's get ready for our guests, shall we?"

[member="Coren Starchaser"], [member="Qyren Leret"], [member="Marcus Itera"], [member="Qyren Leret"]