Preliminary "Engagement"

[Jeron Verity]

[member="Amnell de Portiers"] | [member="Vinskk Revamp"]


Location: Unknown Orbit

Galven was on the bridge of the Taboon-class Carrier Corvette, interviewing the troopers that were on board. "When the shuttle arrives with the VIP, make sure it is the VIP by asking who they are, then allow them to land in the hangar bay." He stated, holding up a holoprojector showing Amnell de Portiers name and face. "When it is confirmed that it is the VIP, I need every officer from their respective positions down in the hangar bay to greet her. I know as clones you are to follow my every order, but you will follow my order to follow any order she gives you, except for the obvious orders you can't follow, like killing of innocents. She will be your Commander, your Leader, your Owner. You will forever and always until you die protect her from any and all harm, and help her whenever she needs it. You are not to take any faction orders unless they come from her."

Galven walked around for a bit, waiting, listening to the troopers shout yes sir or nod, just idling until the little 'gift basket' would be finished, which was being done by Viskis. That should be a riot, hopefully he behaved himself. Just as he was pondering the possibilities of what Viskis would have done, well, speak of the devil.

Viskis walked in and immediately got Galvens attention, "Alright Solomon, it's all set up. No idea why we're wasting all these credits when they could be used elsewhere... for us."
"Yeah, yeah, is the holoprojector set up?"
"Yep, I made it look pri-tee."

"Alright then," Galven turned to look at the troopers. "Give her a little tour of the modifications before leaving her in the Captains quarters with the message I left. Her escort will be nothing to worry about, he'll do his job. Thank you, men. I'll be taking my leave now." Galven took a breath as he gave a slow nod, and proceeded out of the bridge, and out a shuttle, back into his own ship, hyperspace jumping away.

 

[Amnell de Portiers]

While Gavin set things into place, Amnell was for her part, completely unaware of what was happening, what was being planned elsewhere. Right now, she sat at the counter in her shop on Ossus. A hydrospanner in hand, the young woman was working on a protocol droid. Aching fingers and wrists weren't going to stop her from doing her job.

Tinkering with things had been one of her few pleasures in life. Something she could always do. There was just something about having her hands buried in wires and circuitry that made her forget about the rest of the galaxy, as well as her condition. It was almost a form or meditation for the brunette.

Pain was a constant in her life, and something she could at least push through for things like this. It also helped that fixing things gave Amnell a certain feeling of control, when there were so many things in her life that she was powerless over. Like the disease that ravaged her body. That disease that would eventually take her life.

Nine whistled as the shop door opened and closed, the chime ringing to alert her of a visitor. Amnell set down the hydrospanner and released the wire she had been holding. Glancing up, this visitor she recognized. "One moment Mister Hofsetter, I'll grab your droid from the back."

She then stepped away only for a moment to return with a fully functioning astromech droid following behind her. "All the kinks have been worked out. He should function a lot better for you now with the programming changes. And I took the time to update all of his starmaps. You should be set." Said with a smile as the R8 unit marched out to meet it's owner. "Let me know if any problems come up." And with that credits exchanged hands and once more Amnell was alone in the shop, with no one but Nine and her own thoughts.

[member="Galven Solomon"]

 

[Liam Darkgear]

You had to love these easy jobs.

Liam Darkgear walked into the droid shop on Ossus, glancing around in the small business. He was geared in his Mandalorian armor, sufficiently intimidating by itself, but even more so with the man inside of it. A tangle of scars made up his otherwise handsome face, running diagonally, vertically, horizontally. His beard and eyepatch probably covered up more than were visible at the moment. His head and left arm were the only places not covered by armor, but his exposed appendage wasn't even flesh. It was a solid red robotic arm, traded in recently for the cybernetic implant he had earlier after it was damaged in the last conflict he took part of. All in all, just by looking at him, a person could tell he was in the business of killing other sentient beings and gave him a wide berth.

He wasn't here to kill anyone today, though.

A tip from his former employer had led him here. Vinskk Revamp still felt oddly...responsible for the mercenary. Liam had left on poor terms after an incident and decided to pave his own path, but that damn lizard wouldn't leave him alone. After he had politely told the King of Trandosha to go kark himself, Darkgear went ahead and took the job anyway, contacting a [member="Galven Solomon"] and getting briefed.

Easy credits.

The Mandalorian walked up to the front desk, towering over the somewhat ill looking mechanic who probably owned the shop. She matched the description. Liam leaned on the counter, pulling out a cigar and holding it with his robotic arm, observing it before speaking in his rough Dxun accent.

"You Amnell de Portiers?"

[member="Amnell de Portiers"]

 

[Amnell de Portiers]

The door chimed loudly through the shop as the Mando walked through, alerting Amnell to a new visitor. Her hands were still buried in the droid she'd spend much of the day working to repair. She only lifted a brow but kept her eyes keenly focused on the circuit she was soldering into place. "Yes, I am." Not many folks walk into my shop and call me by name. Not that it's not possible for someone to know... Still....

Her eyes moved only slightly to look over this stranger in the reflection he made in the metal of the droid's chest plate. Mando .... don't get many of those here... "You're a long way from home, my Mando friend. And the accent Dxun, yes? Which leads me to my next question... Who are you and why are you interested in me?" Perhaps a little defensive on her part, but not without reason. After recently escaping a kidnapper, she wasn't looking forward to dealing with another situation of that nature.

With a hiss of melted melts sizzling together, the circuit was properly seated back into place. Only now did she set aside the hot soldering iron and looked up at the man now leaning on her counter. "Forgive me if I seem a bit uneasy or untrusting. Last time a perfect stranger walked in here, and asked for me by name, I ended up kidnapped. If you're here for nefarious reasons, let's just skip the formalities and be done with it. And if not, you'll just have to forgive my abrasiveness about the subject. It's not without reason." She said with a heavy sigh. And Truth be told she was far too exhausted and in too much pain to put up a real fight should it come to that.

A single hand had already drifted down below the counter, wrapping her fingers around a simple blaster, just in case. She hoped genuinely that she'd not need such things, but that hadn't been her luck of late. Nine beside her whistled a word of warning to her, "He's bigger than you...." He chirped in Basic.

"I'm aware, Nine." She snapped back, a little annoyed.

[member="Liam Darkgear"] | [member="Galven Solomon"]

 

[Liam Darkgear]

Darkgear lit his cigar with the flick of a silver lighter, illuminating his rough face as he took a drag before speaking.

"Name's Darkgear. My employer has a package for ya. I'm to escort ya to a ship and then take you there myself. Don't worry, you're not in trouble."

With that, the mercenary looked at the astromech droid, smirking slightly before returning his gaze to the woman in front of him.

"I'm not here to hurt ya, lady. You can put the blaster you got down. I'm here to protect ya on your way over. So let's go, eh?"

With that, the Mandalorian cocked his head towards the door, motioning to exit already. Hopefully she made this easy.

[member="Amnell de Portiers"]

 

[Amnell de Portiers]

"A package? Define: Package. Because that could be a whole lot of things." Amnell wasn't sure if she could trust him quite yet. She glanced back to her droid and sighed, "Mister Darkgear, was it? You have to understand this is all very strange to me. Suspicious. And who exactly is your employer? I didn't quite catch that part."

"Snarky droid. Really should reprogram you." She grumbled as she looked down to Nine once more.

"Ah, but then where would the excitement be in your life if you did that?"

"My life must be one sad, sad story if you're the most exciting thing in it."

"It could be worse."

"Yes, it could be. Like the chances of you ever getting a hot oil bath, diminish by the second."

"I can take a hint. I'll be quiet, I promise."

"Thought so."

"Ignore the smartass." She said with a shake of her head. Though she had noticed, he had made no attempts to take her this Mando. He could have. There was plenty of time for that. And why walk in and announce yourself before doing so? There were easier methods, than tipping your hand to your target. Her grip did tight for a second on the blaster. Maybe he isn't here for nefarious purposes. "Go? Go where exactly?" Taking a breath she loosened her grip but only just. "I just, want to know more before I simply walk out of here or at least some assurance that I'm not to be harmed or hurt at any point in this little 'adventure'. Can you give that to me? Anything? That tells me I can trust you."

[member="Liam Darkgear"]

 

[Liam Darkgear]

Liam blinked slowly with his one good eye, taking the mechanic in while answering her questions.

"'Fraid I'm not at liberty to divulge my employer's name at the moment. As for the package, I was told it is...expensive. Take that how you'd like it."

"You don't trust me, eh? Well..."

Darkgear shook his head, puffing on the cigar, then stopped for a second. His blaster came out of his holster in the blink of an eye, held in his right hand. The mercenary observed it for a second, then flipped it so the barrel of the gun was held in his grip as the handle was offered to Amnell.

"I don't need her for this job. Hold her for now. Think of it as a hostage situation. You 'ave my baby and I'm defenseless now. Just don't lose her. And careful, she's heavy."

The bit about the defensiveness wasn't completely true. He still had a holdout blaster stuck in his boot, plus the knowledge and experience of very deadly hand to hand close quarters combat techniques. He was far from defenseless, but hopefully that peace offering set the woman at ease. It was a clear sign that he meant no harm, and for Mandalorians, giving up a weapon was a big thing.

[member="Amnell de Portiers"]

 

[Amnell de Portiers]

Amnell once more lifted a brow. There were so many strange things about this situation and she truthfully wasn't sure how to manage it. "Interesting ..." Expensive again, left her with little clue of what was going to be on the other end of this trip. "Did your employer give any reason for why this package is being given to me?" She at least hoped so, needing more answers.

What happened next certainly wasn't what she was expected. The brunette tensed as he grabbed his blaster. Amnell expected to be threatened with it. Not to have him flip it around and offer it to her. For a moment she looked a little confused. She had a small idea of what it meant for a Mando to giving up a weapon, knew that it was no small thing.

"I won't lose her, I promise." She said softly. Slowly the girl reached out with both hands to take the blaster. It was heavier than she expected and her weakened hands ached badly at the extra weight. It wasn't something she could hold for long, but she wasn't about to show her discomfort to a stranger. "This does help." With no outward sign that she was in pain she finally stepped around the counter.
"Come along, Nine." Motioning for her R-9 to follow alongside her. "I suppose we should get going then, shouldn't we?" There was still plenty of reason to worry and be weary, but for now Amnell had enough to put most of her fears aside.

"By all means Mister Darkgear, lead the way."

[member="Liam Darkgear"]

 

[Liam Darkgear]

The Mandalorian opened the door for the mechanic, ushering her out of the shop and into the mostly empty streets. Liam spoke again, his tone still professional and toneless.

"The package wasn't explained to me. It's expensive, though, and big. Follow me."

Darkgear led the way, walking down the sidewalk to the nearby spaceport. The walk wasn't too long. The woman had time to ask the somewhat silent soldier more questions, if she had any.

[member="Amnell de Portiers"]

 

[Amnell de Portiers]

"I see." Amnell nodded, racking her mind to try and figure out what exactly it was. Or what this possibly could be about. Then, of course, there was the question of who would do such a thing.

"I just don't quite understand. This is coming out of nowhere for me. People just don't give out packages, without reason or at least knowing me. It's just ... odd."

Amnell was doing her best to keep up and ignore the searing pain she felt in her wrists, her feet and legs. It always had been easier for her to put on a mask and pretend she was fine, despite the reality that she was far from fine. It kept folks from asking uncomfortable questions. It also gave her distance, and safety. Safety in never showing how vunlerable she could be and the ability to push people away as she pleased. It also let her avoid the one thing she loathed in this galaxy, pity. Then again such masks had kept away any friendship for a long, long time.

[member="Liam Darkgear"]

 

[Liam Darkgear]

Darkgear shrugged, not particularly interested in what the contents were. He was here to get paid. Simple. He noted the pain she was experiencing in her walk, specifically her legs and feet. It was noticeable, the way she slightly limped and hobbled alongside him in the walkway, trying to keep up. Liam supposed she had stiff legs or something, not suspecting that she was, in fact, dying.

"Just around the corner now."

The spaceport was close, but they weren't quite there yet. The Mandalorian spoke again, if only to break the silence.

"Maybe you do know my employer. It's a small galaxy, after all."

[member="Amnell de Portiers"]

 

[Amnell de Portiers]

Amnell nodded, grateful that the walking at least would be over soon. There was a reason she chose to work in a shop by herself. Easier that way to manage her pain, and only do what she actually could, without someone looking over her shoulder. And of course she always had her droids. Nine was more friend than machine even if he could be a snarky ass from time to time.

"Maybe. Galaxy seems to only be getting smaller these days. It's always surprising the connections that we make and never know it until much later." She gave a small shrug. It was what it was.

As for Nine, so close to Amnell, just on her heels he whistled sharply, switching into binary. "Are you sure about this?" He beeped to her, not wanting the strange to know the entire conversation they were having.

"No." She quickly replied.

"Then why go?" He whistled again remaining in his language.

"Why not?"

"Death is always a good 'why not'."

"Generally speaking yes, but it's fine. Don't worry." Another shrug followed.

"So Mister Darkgear, If I may ... What are the Mandos like? I've always been curious. And what knowledge I do have only comes from books and the like."

[member="Liam Darkgear"]

 

[Liam Darkgear]

Liam looked at the astromech droid and raised an eyebrow.

"I can understand trash compactor, ya know. I'm pretty sure she's not gonna die."

After that, Darkgear looked at Amnell and thought for a second before answering her question.

"Tough. Real tough. We get raised to fight. Even if you aren't a soldier, you learn how to kill effectively. That way if your clan is attacked while all the men are away, even the women and children can defend themselves. Mandalorian life makes you hard. There's our ride, by the way."

The mercenary pointed a mechanical finger to a shuttle at the landing pad they walked up to. The landing ramp was open, but there appeared to be no one inside. Darkgear knew that there was a simple pilot droid inside, though, that would take them to the location specified.

"Go ahead and get in. Make yourself comfortable."

[member="Amnell de Portiers"]

 

[Amnell de Portiers]

Nine whistled something obscene and indiscernible! He clearly didn't like this idea that someone outside of Amnell could understand him. "Pretty sure?! What do you mean pretty sure?!" The droid squealed.

"Mmm, seems you touched on a nerve with Nine. I thought I was the only one who could manage that." Amnell chuckled softly.

"Shut it!"

"That's a first, you telling me to shut up." That seemed to entirely amuse her. Amnell then turned her attention back to Liam. "I see. It makes sense. I know too well women and children are hardly ever spared in war. If you don't at least know how to fight in some regard, you'll end up dead." She gave a shrug, not liking to think about it. Though, a death in some far off war didn't sound all that bad compared with what she'd have to face before her end, slowly wasting away. "Admittedly I was raised in relative comfort, sheltered and protected from so many things. That didn't last forever, never does." That part of her story Amnell wasn't sure she wanted to tell just yet. A certain sadness lingered in her eyes, despite trying to push away those feelings.

She gave him a nod, and motioned Nine up the ramp ahead of her. "Thank you." She said quietly as she took a seat. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out a bottle of pills, quickly downing one to help ease her pains. It was starting to get worse where her medicines weren't quite covering the pain anymore. She was getting worse and knew it. As far as she knew however, there was nothing she could do about it. There wasn't a cure, and there was no way to buy more time.

[member="Liam Darkgear"]

 

[Liam Darkgear]

Darkgear hung on to one of the support beams in the ship, his single eye drawn off as if in a far away place.

"People die in war... in the end, it's just a matter of how many lives each side racks up."

A mechanical hand patted the top of Nine's head, clanging as steel meet metal.

"Nice droid here. He could use a memory wipe or two more, but it's a good model."

With the tug on a lever, the hatch of the ship went up. As if on cue, the ship itself lifted up into the sky with a jerk, flying off. The mercenary sat down and enjoyed his cigar, the smoke wafting out of his mouth and the roll of tobacco itself.

[member="Amnell de Portiers"]

 

[Amnell de Portiers]

"That is the inevitable, I'm afraid. And some are better prepared that others. Better technology, better strategy. Such is life, I suppose." She gave a shrug, not liking to think too much on the matter.

"I would think you know me better by now, little guy." She gigged as Nine whistled his protest at mention of the memory wipe.

"He's a good droid, just snarky and a bit of an ass sometimes. I've had him a long while now. Oddly enough been a good companion. Better than most people I've known. Though, I guess that says a lot about the quality of people I've been around. Only ever wiped him when I first got him, redid a lot of his programming at the time. I think I may have made him a little too spunky. At least, he makes life interesting, that's for sure." She said with a chuckle. With a sigh, she settled back in her seat as the ship took off.

"Where exactly are we headed?" That Amnell did wonder. It was to pick up a package sure, but where in the galaxy were they going.

[member="Liam Darkgear"]

 

[Liam Darkgear]

The mercenary looked at Amnell quickly before staring at the durasteel interior again, his cigar still puffing, before answering.

"My boss' ship. Your package is in there."

To himself, Darkgear was pondering this job. What eas all this fuss about? This woman was just a mechanic, a sickly one at that, not anyone of interest. Then why was all of this being done for her?

The transport was making it's way to the larger vessel in orbit, where Darkgear's employer was waiting...

[member="Amnell de Portiers"]

 

[Amnell de Portiers]

Amnell nodded and a sigh soon followed. None of this really made sense to her. Though stranger things had happened before. Still this definitely cracked her top five for strange events.

"I see." Leaning against the cabin wall, she ran a hand through her hair and closed her eyes. At this point there wasn't much for her to do aside from see this through to whatever end it had. Even Nine had grown quiet with no snark to be found. If only she could figure who and why exactly this series of events had occurred. Her mind ran through all the possibilities, and still she was coming up short for any explanation thus far.

[member="Liam Darkgear"]

 

[Liam Darkgear]

A few minutes later....

The ship's automated pilot had touched down in the Taboon-class Carrier Corvette through the hanger bay with a jolt. As soon as the landing gear had touched down, Liam stood and held an open red palm out, gesturing for Amnell to place one of her weaker hands in his metallic grip.

"We're here. Your questions will probably be answered soon."

Upon the placing of a hand, Darkgear would lead her to the exit ramp and they would walk out, both of them about to see what this was all about...

[member="Amnell de Portiers"] [member="Galven Solomon"]

 

[Jeron Verity]

*Not Galven*

[member="Amnell de Portiers"] | [member="Liam Darkgear"]


There, in the hangar bay, three men stood in Spaarti Clones gear, each saluting and looking at the woman that exited the shuttle. "Greetings, miss Portiers," spoke up one of them, his uniform embezzled more, looking like a Captain. "I am the Captain of this vessel, but I have not been given a designation." He gestured his hands to the right, pointing at the other two people beside him. "This is Head Officer of the Technician Group, and that is the Head Officer of the Trooper Group." They each nodded as they were presented. "We are clones. We were made to serve you. We can't tell you much, but we can answer any questions you may have." He looked over to the man that escorted her, "You, Bounty Hunter, our Bridge has sent you coordinates for where you will meet and get paid, please be off now."

He then looked back at Amnell, "I have been ordered to escort you to the Medical Bay, and then to your personal quarters. In the Medical Bay is an item you must know about, and then in your personal quarters, a message from the individual who made us, bought this ship, and transferred ownership of everything on it, to you. While we are walking, you may create designations for us, or allow us to designate ourselves. You are in control, miss... Oh yes, would you like us to call you Commander, or something else?"