Rest and Relaxation [Open to Antarian Rangers, everyone else please PM to join]

[Beltran Rarr]

Location: The Imperialis, hyperspace – enroute to Nar Shadda

“Ya know,” Jost Cal Dayne was complaining, as he often did. “For such a beautiful ship, this thing really is a piece of crap.”

Sitting next to him, crammed into the pilot’s chair, the massive Wookiee Lupewarreg uttered a soft moan-growl, which Beltran Rarr took to mean his agreement with the statement. The three of them barely fit into the luxury Yacht’s cockpit, which only had seating for two. That meant that the Lorrdian had to stand, somewhat wedged in between the two beings.

“It took me and Waurr nearly four days to track down that power distribution glitch.” Jost continued, all the while his stubby fingers were keying in commands through the archaic co-pilot’s console in front of which he sat. Over the odd-looking man’s shoulder, Beltran could see that the Corellian was running one of a dozen diagnostic programs. That was good, as the Imperialis had a tendency of acting up during the worst possible moment.

From somewhere distant behind him, Beltran heard the muffled sound of raucous laughter. While he didn’t expect there to be any problems in what was supposed to be a simple run to Nar Shadda for some much needed Rest and Relaxation for himself, Colonel [member="Valkren Calderon"] and a few select members of Radama’s Raiders and the Third Infantry, the Lorrdian was quickly learning that problems tended to occur precisely when one didn’t expect them.

“I’m not paying you to whine, Cal Dayne,” Beltran replied shortly. “I’m paying you to fly.”

Even though he couldn’t see Cal Dayne’s eyes, he would positively feel the smaller man roll his eyes as he responded with an overly sarcastic: “Yes, sir!”

Waurr, as usual, remained reasonably quiet while the two of them sniped at one another. The Wookiee, Beltran surmised, was at least a century older than either of them-and probably more. He wondered just what kind of wisdom that kind of age could bring a being, and just as quickly dismissed the idea entirely.

Beltran Rarr had grown up a homeless ruffian. He’d then been trained to fight and kill by one of the most ruthless of the Lorrdian crime bosses. He’d been molded into a killing machine, if you will, and if there was one axiom that Beltran had learned to be completely and utterly true in this universe it was: If you live by the sword, so by the sword shall you die.

In short, he didn’t expect to live a long life. So he settled for making his short one as memorable as possible.

Turning from the two beings, he stepped out of the cramped cockpit and started strolling down the small corridor toward the sounds of laughter. The Rangers who’d accompanied him on this trip had, predictably, spread out throughout the ship-taking full advantage of the various amenities offered by the numerous luxury suites available to them.

Upon learning of this trip, Beltran had offered the use of The Imperialis to make the journey. Not only was the ship quick, and well equipped-despite its continuing power distribution problems-it provided a level of luxury that he doubted most of the Antarian Rangers was accustomed to. It also provided the Lorrdian with an excuse to finally get to Nar Shadda and track down Gordella the Hutt, the client who had hired him for the Alaris Prime mission all those months earlier and who had yet to pay the Lorrdian in full.

He passed by a couple of Rangers who seemed to be enjoying a soak in the saltwater hot tub in one of the suites. He nodded to them, but had no particular interest in joining them. He was looking for a specific person, their leader: Colonel Calderon. Ever since they’d run into each other in that corridor on Nickel One, things had been somewhat awkward between Beltran and his CO. While he wasn’t entirely sure that Calderon had truly recognized him, but he wasn’t convinced that the Colonel hadn’t either.

Neither of them had broached the subject, yet.

He would find Valkren sitting with several of the other Rangers in the mess hall. As he approached, he would nod before taking a seat and speaking up. “Gentlemen, ladies, enjoying yourselves?” He would ask as he settled in with the group. Though not a social man by nature, Beltran found himself beginning-if only slightly-to relax around the Rangers. “We should be arriving at Nar Shadda within the hour.”

Little did Beltran, or Colonel Calderon and the others for that matter, know that when they arrived they would find themselves pitted against one of the most dangerous groups in the galaxy in a fight that could very well leave them all lying on the ground in a pool of their own blood.

Spoiler: OOC Note

[member="Roona Osmari"] [member="Vertigo"] [member="Tyrell Caphey"] [member="Valkren Calderon"]
Hey guys, so this is the first in a series of threads that will explore some of Beltran Rarr and Valkren Calderon’s background. You’re all welcome to join in, or not. There’s no obligation to join, but feel free if you’re looking for stuff to do. Anybody else who wants to get involved once the group is on Nar Shadda, please PM me first. Thanks!

 

[Roona Osmari]

In the galley with the others, Roona had enjoyed a good meal. And now, she sat quietly, listening to the lively conversations happening at their table. While the banter was highly amusing, she didn’t speak up to add to it. She was the quiet one and the serious one, after all. But all in all, it had been nice to share a meal with Colonel Calderon and the others, especially one that was served outside the galley in the Ranger Base.

Her head turned ever slightly as Specialist Rarr entered and addressed them.

“I ought to go get ready,” She said, in order to excuse herself from the table. Roona gave Valkren the tiniest smile, and then nodded to Rarr as she passed by on her way out.

It was pretty surreal to be traveling to Nar Shaddaa in such style. Roona was well used to riding in warships and crowded transports, not luxurious ships like this. Her green eyes roamed her surroundings curiously as she navigated back towards her passenger suite.All around, it seemed that people were in good sorts. The Rangers worked very hard and…they played hard, too.

Back inside her room, she made her way over to the overnight bag she brought along. Pulling out a few outfit choices, she laid them out on the bed to get a better look. With a hand cradling her chin, she sought to make a quick decision… but it wasn’t easy. Her usual outfits practically made themselves, BDU or armor. But ‘going out’ clothes were still something of a puzzle. It was oddly overwhelming.

With a sigh, pulled out a small pouch of cosmetics, most of which had been used only a handful of times. The last time had been in preparation for the ball at Silver Rest, an event that brought back some very fond memories.

A quiet smile formed on her lips at the thought.

[member="Beltran Rarr"], [member="Valkren Calderon"]

Spoiler

Just a heads up, I may be slow at times -- feel free to continue as you like and I'll catch up!

 

[Valkren Calderon]

Valkren almost spat out his drink due to a comment that came from one of his fellow teammates, a grin from ear to ear on his face. He was usually seen this happy and not so stone-faced killer whilst in the presence of his team. His position on the ground made the camaraderie between the group much stronger, opposed to taking an officer position at forward-operating-bases much further away from the frontline.

"I swear to it. The raiders can't go one single operation without Lowder going down with a round in his arse!" Lieutenant Konrad Harris added on to the same statement that was brought up before, bringing forth another round of laughs and jeers toward their teammate.

Of course, Specialist Lowder had to try and defend himself, at the risk of his pride.

"What? It's not like I'm trying to get karkin' shot!"

"I think what Konrad is trying to say, John boy, is that you're losing your touch." The smile still rested on the colonel's face as he spoke, stirring the waters so the humorous conversation could go on.

"Now come on boss! Do you really know anyone with my kinda' wits when it comes to combat?"

Valkren's posture and mood seemed to shift once Specialist Rarr made an entrance into the room. The smile remained on his face, yet it wasn't as big. The look almost seemed as if he had something to hide.

"I think Rarr might put you in for a run for your money."

From what the Colonel had perceived from Beltran's presence in the rangers so far, was his level of intelligence. He knew his entire team held great combat knowledge and wits when it came to the split-second decisions that are taken to win firefights and battles, but Rarr was just smart. Those smarts made for a valuable asset and elite soldier.

That is, if those wits rested in a 'soldier' with loyalty.

His glance changed shifted quickly as the group continued their argument over Lowder's skillset, moving to meet Osmari's look as she exited. There was that smile, it got him every time. Just like that, the idea of Calderon's sudden streak of mistrust for Rarr vanished as he returned the smile to Echo before she left.

He looked back to the center of the table, listening for a moment as they talked. Perhaps the thoughts in his head just proved even more that himself and his team needed this break from their constant combative lifestyle. Still, he just couldn't shake what happened at the end of Nickel One's battle, and what he discovered.

[member="Roona Osmari"] | [member="Beltran Rarr"]

 

[Tyrell Caphey]

Having made an early exit from the dinner the group who had tagged along Rarr on this journey just had shared, he now laid on the bed in one of the Imperialis luxuorious cabins. Even if the yacht was old and known for it's mechanical flaws it was unlike any other transportation the Rangers were accustomed to in terms of comfort and accommodation. Perfect for rest and relaxation.

Ever since the business on Nickel One and a few other skirmishes Tyrell had proven himself and grown into the ranks of the Rangers. So much that colonel Valkren had mentioned a future appointment to squad leader, a task that he wasn't t entirely sure about just yet. With increased wage came increased responsibilities. This trip might help him come to a descision.

Casually zapping through the Holonet screen on the wall in front of the bed, thoughts of the experiences in the Rangers and the may-be-promotion was replaced by thoughts of Sam, the silver jedi he had met on a garden party at the Silver Rest a while ago. They had gone along just fine, connections had been great and the thoughts got him to smile for himself.

He took a quick glance on his wrist-watch; it was time to get ready for Nar Shaddaa. Tossing the remote aside on the bed, he got up and into the wash room to make final toutches and get redressed.

[member="Valkren Calderon"] [member="Roona Osmari"] [member="Beltran Rarr"]