Private Different Places, Same Faces

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Vulpesen​

It wasn't often that Jonyna visted the core these days. The Empire had fallen, but not by her hand. She lamented that, but now it was in control of the sith. She wasn't sure if that was better. What she did know, was that worlds like Veradune were in a precarious position. The Sith Covenant would take it sooner rather than later. Or the Diarchy, or the Black Sun, or the Imperials.

The days of the Alliance were gone.

The days of security, the days of peace, the days of hope.

And yet, Jonyna visited Veradune with a hope for the future. A deal to be struck. And an old friend to be met.

As the Reaper came down, Jonyna was ready to meet her own rival, and mentor. Even if she would never admit that last one.

 

[Vulpesen]

Already standing at the entrance of his private dock, Vulpesen smiled as he watched the Reaper descend onto the pad, his tail flicking behind him as he sensed Jonyna's arrival in the force. Of all the jedi he ahd met, he had to admit that she was one of the more interesting ones. Perhaps not the divine power he attributed to those like Matsu or the Heavenshields, but certainly a will and mind that had grown since their first meeting. He considered it one of his greatest pleasures to have been able to see her growth, and perhaps, even claim some influence over it.

"Welcome back!" he greeted as the Cathar stepped off her ship. Their meetings often led to some sort of sparring, whether verbal or with blades. It was their way, he supposed. Two warriors unable to back down from their convictions, but knowing that they fought on the same side. Even if they seemed to always disagree, he knew that at the core, they believed in the same ideals. Perhaps that was why they butted heads so often.

Jonyna Si

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Vulpesen​

Jonyna had, in recent months, reverted back to how she was during her rebel years. Maybe it was the familiar atmosphere she surrounded herself with, maybe it was the fact she wasn't tied to being the 'perfect jedi' anymore.

Either way, it colored her response in a way that Vulpesen hadn't heard before. A snarky, deadpan response.

"Sup lightning licker. You still sell guns?"

 

[Vulpesen]

The Valde chuckled at the casual greeting and left the wall he was leaning on to approach the feline woman. "Only the best in the galaxy. I take it you've got some friends with empty hands." Considering how many times they had fought, Vulpesen knew that Jonyna was far from unarmed herself. For every trick he had up his sleeve, she always seemed to have some sort of force damned tool or toy to counter it. He also knew that she, especially after leaving the jedi, was fond of running rebellions and revolutions. All those factors added up to make Jonyna Si a lucrative intermediary for the business of the VSF. "Come on inside and we can talk details."

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Vulpesen​

"That's the idea. Least I can do is rely on a trustworthy supplier." Jonyna smirked as she followed behind him. "Si Tech can't afford to make everything these days. I take it you've heard rumblings of what's going on in Wild Space?"

Jonyna had done her best to keep The Wild Space Rebellion's activities off the maps of the big players of the galaxy, and yet it's name kept in their ears. She knew the power of a name, and the power of keeping your location a secret.

 

[Vulpesen]

It was a short walk once they entered the initial doors of his estate. A small foyer with a teradin wood table, a pair of couches, and a decanter of fine veran whiskey. Vulpesen's tail swished into his lap as he settled comfortably into the cushions and lifted a hand to twist the currents of the force. There were jedi form his past who he was certain would have risked an aneurism witnessing what happened next.

The decanter lifted and uncorked itself before tipping over to pour a generous portion of its amber contents into a crystal rocks glass. Then, as Vulpesen's hand moved to grip the glass, a frosty chill spread across its surface. As an arch wilder and the Valde of Veradune, Vulpesen had no shortage of tutors in all the ways of his people's force traditions. Still, he had shown little aptitude for their cryomancer abilities. The elders had remarked that his spirit burned too hot in his heart. Cooling a drink in hand was about as much as he could hope with his skills in ice manipulation. Still, it certainly had its uses, particularly outside of combat. "The Tenevi keep me informed. I've had a few intel reports come across my desk, though thats usually handled by Excelsus Gracin and Excelsus Amaris."

Jonyna Si

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Vulpesen ​

"So you have no idea." Jonyna snarked. She was just giving him shit, but she knew there was probably a grain of truth to it. After all, she had plenty of operations that went entirely under the radar.

"We liberated the spice mines a few months ago on Kessel, and now we're prepping for a major raid on Mon Cala. The hope is to start breaking down the Imperial shipping lanes, and really start to make them bleed for their tyranny. Then we can start liberating worlds."

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen reached into his coat and produced a simple datapad. His eyes followed Jonyna as the screen flickered to life beneath his clawed fingers. What followed was a steady tapping and his gaze occasionally darting down to the screen as he flicked between various applications and screens. "Sounds like you'll be doing some tight work. I can give you a good price on jackals and alsatians. Close quarter weapons and energy shields should make it easy enough to get through those hallways. Some Mark 1 and Mark 2 Wolf claws might also give you an edge, if you'll forgive the pun."

He pulled out a small drawer from the coffee table and produced a small holoprojector. Soon, Jonyna was given a hologram of each weapon as it was mentioned as well as a small sample of tis usage and features. "We can also talk about something more battlefield tested if you want something for your general infantry. Any of course, anything we don't have, I'm eager to make."

Jonyna Si

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Vulpesen​

"If you don't mind my bluntness, Vulpes, I'm not here for specifics. The WSR is looking for your entire catalog. And you, if you're willing. I know your loyalty is to Veradune, but I need you out there in the field, even if it is undercover."

Jonyna was asking nicely now, because she considered Vulpesen, as much as he annoyed her, a friend.

 

[Vulpesen]

The Valde's brow raised at the declaration. What Jonyna was proposing was no simple business deal. This was not about supply and demand. This was about putting himself and his men on the line. This was not being a broker. This was being an ally. His lips turned up into a wide grin and he set down the datapad.

"Si Tech is already listed among the VSF's allies. But if you want out support for your rebellion, then I have absolutely no issue with that. As for my own blade." His grin turned wolfish and predatory. "I'm always ready to stick it to any sith or imperials, and I don't mind being quite up front about it. Tell me where we're needed, and I can send some companies to shore up your defenses or bolster your attacks. So, shall the WSR be added to our list of allies? We do have some empty slots after the fall of the Galactic Alliance."

Jonyna Si

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Vulpesen​

Jonyna's response was simple.

"Where do I sign?"

To her, it was always that easy. She need not look over paperwork. Didn't bother with negotiations. She trusted Vulpes, for as much as he was a pain in her ass, he was also a trusted friend.

 

[Vulpesen]

A few taps onto his datapad brought up a small form. Addendums and clauses written up by members of the Howlaw Court and Armis militia. Vulpesen had learned to hate bureaucracy, but he had to admit that it did have its uses. When not overused, there was an efficiency to the paperwork required to approve such actions, especially when it came to forestalling headaches later down the road. "Right here. Then, just let me know where you need us. If there's any problems, I'll let you know." Vulpesen was not a naive man. The truth was that the various players within the galaxy were all driven by any multitude of desires and agendas. By contracting his services to people with loyalties beyond his own governance and ideals he was taking a risk. But, risk was the basis of trust and compromise was the currency of friendship. Only time would tell if there would be any expenditures on that front.

Jonyna Si

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Vulpesen ​

"Perfect." Jonyna signed without a second thought. "As for where I could use you..."

She pursed her lips, "I wouldn't mind your efforts on that raid of Mon Cala. We're prepping to deal with an entire imperial battallion, and god knows how many tons of imperial naval vessels."

 

[Vulpesen]

"Let me know when you're ready for the operation. I'll set up Trident company, and most of the 55th regiment came to Veradune after the GA fell. That should give you a bit of breathing room as I'm sure we can spare a battalion, or at least some companies to back you up." He brought back the datapad and finished the digital paperwork, sending it off for approval with barely a glance at the screen. "I warn you though, most of my guys are ground fighters. Zorrens have never really cared much for the open stars, so we'll need you to get us on ground or into the enemy ships."

Jonyna Si

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Vulpesen ​

"So noted." Jonyna smirked, before looking Vulpes up and down.

"So. Do we wanna honor our tradition then? Up for a spar? Can't come to your planet and talk to you without doing one, ya know?"

 

[Vulpesen]

A heart laugh escaped him as he rose and his wily grin was hidden by his glass which quickly drained past his lips. "As the Valde and Arch-Wilde, I am bound to the chains of tradition." As he strode from the room, he lifted his voice for the house servants to hear, "I my battle gear! Bring it to the arena!" Then, with a look over his shoulder, he waved Jonyna forward. "Show me what you've learned."

Jonyna Si

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Vulpesen​

The trot to the arena was a casual one. Unlike times before, Jonyna didn't have anything to prove now. No score to settle. No, this time it was a duel between friends to see if she could finally beat him.

As she walked to the other side of the field, she drew Sally and led the white blade feel the air.

"No point in hiding this one. You already know it's trick as a cortosis blade."

Above them, the storm clouds rolled in. Jonyna saw no point in waiting on that. A light rain enveloped the field. As was tradition.

 

[Vulpesen]

"What it is, is a pain in my tail." As he hopped over the short fence to the arena, one of his men jogged over with a belt of weapons and tools. Vulpesen was quick about strapping his saber, daggers, and pistol. Vulpesen could feel the waves of the force rolling off of Joyna as she summoned the storm. Wind and rain that he could ride upon filled the area and brought a smile to his face. That smile was soon hidden beneath the passive gold faceplate of his vulpine mask.

"Whenever you're ready, Master Si," he purred. His saberstaff unclipped from his belt and a blade of gold and black ignited with the customary snap-hiss. He knew what Jonyna was capable of. She'd proven herself on the battlefield time and time again, quickly reaching a level where she could give even him a challenge. Still, he had decades of experience on her, and as she was his guest, it wouldn't be right if he opened with the first aggression. It was, perhaps, the last mercy he would give to their impending match.

Jonyna Si

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Vulpesen​

It was certainly the last mercy Jonyna was willing to offer.

She started with a testing blow. Her tail gripped Paul, channeling her newest power through it as she unleashed hell from within the blaster, hundreds of bolts pouring out of it as she rushed forward behind them. Sally would be useful if she could get a hit in, but she needed to close the distance.

For now, it dragged along the grass, waiting for a chance to strike. Her first blade. Her first weapon. She needed to close the distance against that pole-arm. She knew that could keep her at bay if left unattended.

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen grinned as his wings flared out around him. The runes on his armor shone as the bolts slammed into him. This was a man who had made his bones fighting against force users across the galaxy. His enemies were famous for fire and lightning being hurled en masse. For some combatants, that blast of force energy would have been a death sentence. For Vulpesen, it was a buffet. He opened himself up to it and let his armor take the brunt. Built for such assaults, the Varos cloak sucked it up like a sponge and channeled that power safely into its wearer. In the face of the awesome power of the force, Jonyna's blasters didn't do any better at reaching him.

Vulpesen didn't bother to raise his lightsaber. Instead, Jonyna was met by an open palm. All the firepower she had unleashed on him was sent right back three fold, amplified by the wilder's own added power. Its form was a torrent of bladed wind that roared like a hurricane, ripping at the ground and tearing foliage and stone form the ground on its destructive path to the jedi. "Fancy," he baited. "Try harder!"

Jonyna Si