Dominion Starbird | GA Dominion of Coruscant

[Allyson Locke]

As silly as it sounded, Allyson was thrilled to hear Ryv ask about her health. He had been there when she went down when she chose to sacrifice herself. He had been there to comfort her as a part of her recovery, and it was only natural for him to ask. She smiled and then nodded to Cedric, who had said something about a reminder of women. The Corellian raised an eyebrow, but let it wash away. For this moment, Allyson Locke was happy to be where she was. "That's good. I was a bit worried I'd be interrupting. I tend to have bad timing." A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she brushed her hair back from her face.

"How have you been? My days feel like such a blur currently every day feels the same." Stopping, she caught herself, rambling a bit, not giving him a chance to answer. Around them, there was a speech going on, she figured they should probably pay attention, but she was more interested in the conversation between them. The way he looked at her made her feel special; it was a feeling she hadn't felt in some time.

She wanted to believe at this moment; he was looking at just her. Silently, Allyson hoped that he wasn't going to get pulled away - it felt so hard to get a win in this department nowadays. She continued to smile softly as she felt drawn to the Knight, trying her best to hide the faint trace of a blush that danced along her cheeks.

Ryv

 

[Placeholder 0128]

He'd not been paying much attention to the speech, but he made out Ryv's name being announced well enough. The spotlight was the last place he had any desire to be near.

"Get on up there, Sword of the Jedi," he huffed a quiet laugh, and clapped Ryv on the shoulder as he stepped past the boy. "-and lovely to meet you again Miss Locke," he added as he dipped into the crowds. Getting around was a bit easier given the speech. People were paying attention, and that meant they weren't jostling about. Cedric intended to take full advantage of it while he could.

He chose a slow pace, mostly because he wanted to hear what Ryv might have to say, but he wouldn't be remaining long. Coruscant was moving on, and he had little desire to be swept up in it any longer.

All that remained was the path forward.

Ryv , Allyson Locke

 

[Leon Gallo]

As the speeches were continuing to be made, and the podium changed speaker many times over, Leon was still in the crowd outside. He was enjoying the joyful chaos that was unfolding around him. He wormed his way slowly closer to the senate hall, stopping at vendors that caught it eye. At one, the young Jedi purchased a number of confetti launchers, which he began to hand out. One exploded in his hand, covering him with brightly colored scraps of paper. at another he was challenged to a drinking contest by an already drunk man. It was early in the day, but Leon agreed. the man nearly collapsed after the first two shots, and his friends dragged him away from what was definitely not a bar. Now tipsy, he continued on. He found a long row of vendors, all hawking carnival-like games. He was pressured to try three shots with a cross bow for a prize. with a little help from the force, Leon easily won the best prize: A giant stuffed toy. He decided to carry it with him until he found a kid to give it to. Evidently, the game was fairly easy, as he saw many others walking around with similar toys.

His semi-formal attire now covered in confetti, and with a giant stuffed animal slung over his shoulders, Leon was quite a sight. Despite that, he didn't stand out. The Corusanti had pulled no punches in their celebration. After continuing to work his way through the crowd, he caught the end of a speech. Something about the Jedi. He began to push through towards the sound, and caught sight of the podium, where a certain Kiffar was taking the stand.


Ryv

 

[Adhira Chandra]

Coruscant // Galactic City
Senate Plaza
Objective 1 & Objective 2​

The journey to Coruscant was particularly arduous for the newly elected Senator of Balmorra. It was from her ship, in a sedentary position, that Adhira Chandra gave her first live address to the galaxy. One of many that she would likely have to give, as her Press Secretary so kindly reminded her. With one speech she set the tone for her entire term. No big deal, she mused as she winced through her own broadcast. Still, Adhira would have rather given 1000 public speeches than be standing on a stage for hours, smiling like a moron, while other people gave them.​

​

It wasn't so much the speeches that bothered Adhira. It was the indulgent, obligatory applause every few sentences. She began clapping along with the other Senators as the Chancellor said... something. She wasn't listening.​

​

Well... maybe I'll be assassinated. Adhira believed firmly it was important to look on the bright side.​

​

"Wonderful speech, Chancellor," she smiled graciously at the man as he stepped back to allow Vice Chancellor Starseeker to speak. She had yet to work very closely with Tagge. Most of her recent tenure had been spent alongside his predecessor, but she had heard good things from her contacts in the intelligence community. No skeletons to speak of. Tremendously disappointing, really. All the most interesting politicians had skeletons.​

​

When Starseeker ceded the stage once more, Adhira began to applaud obediently, but all the while she was searching the Senate delegation gathered around her for someone, anyone remotely interesting. Maybe she could strong-arm some weak-willed politician into supporting her anti-slavery bill. The thought cheered her up immensely.​

​

​

Emmen Tagge Ryv Leon Gallo Sssar Taszzn Raona Cadera Allyson Locke Arage Bao Imperial Warlord Zovesa Irveric Tavlar​

​

 

[Ryv]

With the Galactic Alliance's Chief of State's call to action, Ryv momentarily listened in on the elected leader. While he'd only briefly encountered the silver fox during various meetings as the Jedi Order's representative, he had the Jedi Knight's respect. Very few could handle a position of such importance without breaking. Emmen Tagge, though a diplomat by trade, boasted the heart of a warrior. Though, the going speech didn't interest him beyond the introduction. Hours before the festival's commencement, Ryv sat through a briefing covering his part in the ceremony, alongside the two before him. His speech would come in time. Until then, the kiffar wanted to take his time enjoying anything other than bureaucratic addresses. Fortunately, Cedric's words and farewell yanked Ryv's attention from it all.

"Alrighty, Cedric. I'm not seeing the folks who are supposed to get medals yet, so uh," Ryv waved farewell to his companion before motioning one of the officials over. He whispered something into the middle-aged human's ear and turned back to Allyson. The man strode away to alert the others that Ryv intended to wait until the chosen heroes arrived in full.

In comparison to Ryv's earlier demeanor, he seemed far more positive. Perhaps it had something to do with seeing his formerly bedridden friend back on her feet, or maybe the ongoing speeches and the overall celebration going on around them. Either way, Ryv flashed his typical smile at the Corellian pilot before falling in place beside her. He returned to people-watching, his gaze following Cedric until he inevitably disappeared into the crowd. Ryv looked back to Allyson and peered up and down her form.

"I've gotta say, for someone fresh out of a hospital bed, you clean up real nice. While I, on the other hand," Ryv raised his hands to both sides, showcasing the typical leather jacket he wore. "Tend to enjoy simpler things. Don't let me dissuade you, though, cause its a kick-ass look," the compliments came back to back, mostly to keep him from having to answer her question. Mentally, the Jedi Knight's mood improved significantly from where it started an hour or so prior. Discussing emotions and past events could quickly sour the atmosphere, but she'd been honest enough.

"I'm doing alright. Happy all this chaos surrounding the merger of both governments has come to an end. Can finally return to the simple stuff. What uh-" Ryv paused, meeting her eyes. "What are you doing after this whole thing?"

Allyson Locke ​

 

[Allyson Locke]

Allyson silently thank the Force that she went against her typical military uniform for this thing. She was a girl with a plan tonight, and it seemed like she was doing an excellent job at making sure she stuck to it. Having been some time since she let her hair down, Allyson wasn't going to let anything hinder her fun. Of course, Ryv seemed to have newfound confidence, and she would be lying if she said she didn't like it. The new pep in his step, she wondered if something happened that seemed to lighten the weight on his shoulders. Thinking about it, Allyson asked what her deal was with being attracted to people who like her wanted to be the one to bear the sins of the world.

His compliment broke through her thoughts, and she blushed harder. Getting a Corellian to blush should win the person an award. Corellians were confident and prideful; they were the ones who were the aggressive flirts - yet here, Allyson was turning into soft clay in his hands. She smiled and raised an eyebrow towards the Knight. "Well, I couldn't just show up in military blues. How would I get you to notice me?" She didn't look at him, mostly because she wanted to save seeing his reaction until she was done. His compliments came in rapid succession, and she nodded and shrugged playfully at his attire.

"I agree, uh, with things returning to simpler times, not your outfit - might need to try a little harder to impress me Sword of the Jedi." She knew his title, and it was a perfect moment to use it. Ryv had to be something, someone special to earn a title like that. His gaze had drawn hers as she looked into his eyes, they were amber, and they reminded her of some of the star nebulas she had flown across during her spice running days. He asked his question, and she let it hang in the air, making silence fall between them.

The Corellian didn't blink, and she stared back with her greenish hazel orbs, there was a hint of mischief in her gaze as she smirked. "It depends on if you don't have any plans tonight - because all of mine, well" She paused and shrugged. "They could include you."

 

[Lucien Dooku]

GALACTIC CITY, CORUSCANT
REVELRY & BUSINESS
V I B E S

-​

Coruscant wasn't his home.

In fact, the planet was nothing to him in the slightest besides a place which reminded him of how much his actual home was better in comparison. The lack of anything but infrastructure for thousands of miles without ending made him miss the mountains surrounding his family's estate, the sight of natural gardens and trees lining the streets of the planet's cities, and a fresh smell to the air that made the Jewel of the Core a stale comparison if ever there was one to make. There were better swoop races on Corellia if he needed to be this close to the Core, and the Sabacc tables on pretty much any other world were bound to look more enticing than anything he could find in the planet's large, impoverished underbelly. Even the alcohol wasn't the same, in his opinion, but that last piece of evidence pointing towards his dislike for the world was his own conjecture based off a bad experience at a cantina a year or two back.

Altogether it meant that he avoided the planet as if it had the plague, and he was happy to continue doing so until his business partners' interests brought him on an exclusive trip to Coruscant around the time of a planet-wide state of revelry and celebrations. He was tasked with located an individual on behalf in possession of vital information on behalf of a Hutt Kajidic that held answers that he was searching for as payment for the job's completion. The acquisition of things was right up his ballgame, but the sheer amount of traffic on the planet made the process a bit more difficult once he began formulating a plan of action.

The direct course of action was settled upon after little thought was put into the plan. He had a tracking fob on the target, and the skill to complete the job with presumably little difficulty, given the previous jobs he'd done for the Hutt in the past. It was all a matter of getting the man off planet once he was found, and hopefully not running into any heat along the way. Luc wasn't a legitimate bounty hunter after all; he preferred the acquisition of more lucrative sources of income, but unfortunately the exchange of pertinent information demanded he improvise his repertoire of skills for this occasion.

A few hours was all it took to track down his target and prepare to set things into motion. He was unsurprisingly at a local club, partying as if there was no tomorrow along with three-fourths of the planet's residents as well it seemed. A handful of credits were all it took to get him into the packed establishment, and he immediately went to work observing his target from a seat at end of the bar. Between the music and the place itself, Luc would freely admit that it wasn't the usual place he'd visit, as he preferred a warmly-lit booth at a cantina, where the music had a relaxing vibe and the women and gambling was aplenty. He didn't stand out from afar, but the spacer caught enough attention up close that he decided to make his move early to get the job done and over quickly.

Lucien cut a path across the center of the room, weaving through the men and women on the dance floor to cut a shorter path to the other side of the room. His target was at the far end of the floor according to his fob, but Luc could barely keep a solid visual contact once he left the bar and went down into the depression in the floor where the packed stage was located. His slow creep across the floor was ended after a woman bumped into him from behind, catching him off-guard to the point where it was impossible for him to avoid the collision without letting her fall onto the floor. It was dark, but Lucien could faintly make out her facial features and the color of her hair beneath the blue lights above. "Sorr--" His apology was cut off as she grabbed him by the shirt -- thankfully not the jacket -- and pulled him into the thick of the floor against his will.

On one hand, he was flattered, but on the other hand, his target was close enough that he really didn't want to risk him leaving. But on the other hand, she was rather cute from what he could discern at that moment in time. He stood there for a moment in contemplation as she danced on and around him, then let out a sigh before his lips curled back into a grin. "I'll humor you for a while." He said after pulling her closer to his body and speaking up next to her ear. He kept the fob tucked beneath the cuff of his jacket as he lightened up his mood and seemingly went along with the fun. Slowly he began shifting them across the floor, step by step over the course of he song that was currently playing over the speakers.

"Close, but not alone." He said to himself, his voice muted by the sound of the music around them. Glancing to his left, he spotted his target sitting in a private booth with a host of other men and women around him. None of them looked armed from what he could tel, but even if they weren't , he guessed they were drunk enough to still cause a scene if their friend ended up getting escorted out the door. Luc would have to improvise to complete the job, but at least he was able to confirm the man had no intention of leaving anytime soon based off the bottle service headed his way.

"This better be worth it, Jinnosha." He remarked to himself again, then returned his attention back to the woman in his arms. "You got a name, stranger? Or do Coruscanti women just pick up any stranger for a dance, eh?"

Tempest Yore

 

[Leon Gallo]

The crowd was even thicker here than anywhere else, and Leon decided to open himself up in the force. No reason in particular, just to see what he felt. Instantly he was overwhelmed with the energy of the crowd. Thousands of people, joined in happiness and frenzied celebration. He cheered as everyone else did. He fed off their energy and grew his own. He pushed onward towards the senate hall with a new spring in his step, and the confidence only a half drunk extrovert could have. More confetti stuck to him as he strode forwards. He remembered being summoned there for something or another, but whatever it was probably wouldn't be important enough for him to bother cleaning up.

Right?

A little kid bumped into him, but Leon caught him before he hit the ground with the force. The kid looked confused for a moment, but then ran off to tell his father. The tall man who had been watching his son dash through the crowd watched Leon catch him, and approached him. He yelled into the crowd, marking Leon as a Jedi for his display of the Force. The crowd around him erupted into cheers again, pumped up the previous speeches concerning the Jedi.

The cheers carried him on to the side entrance of the Senate Hall. Security stopped him, seeing his ridiculous appearance. HE assured them that he was in fact, Leon Gallo, and that he had been told to come for an award ceremony or something. Finally he convinced them with a flash of his I.D, and Saber, and he was let in. He certainly stood out, even though most all of the other attendees were deeper in. He wandered on, looking for someone he recognized.


P Placeholder 0128 Ryv Allyson Locke Adhira Chandra Sssar Taszzn Arage Bao Cassius Callaesar

 

[Ryv]

With Allyson's more direct approach following their brief encounter perhaps a week prior, Ryv found himself enjoying the playful banter. He had to admit; the Jedi Master did indeed clean up nice. In comparison to seeing her bandaged and wrapped in hospital blankets, the dress brought on a level of elegance and beauty that did surprise him. Seeing her cheeks flare a pink color brought another faint smile to his lips, His luck with women hadn't been too hot lately, noticing he still had something working for him helped boost what growing confidence swelled within him. Cedric's words, Allyson's attention, and the trust the Galactic Alliance showed reminded Ryv of why he did what he did. Victory or defeat, he had to ensure he continued to remember such things in the future. Otherwise, a relapse into more shadowy elements of his mind was assured.

"Seems like you made the right choice then, with the civilian black," Ryv responded to the playful flirting with something a tad more literal. Better to shake things up, keep her guessing as to what he had to say at any particular moment. His brow perked in response to the title-drop. It didn't surprise him outright, given the nature of life on Peace. His responsibilities to the Jedi Order were those of a Jedi Warmaster. An emergency knighting saw Ryv elevated to the council of masters who helped direct the day to day life of Peace and its inhabitants. His sly grin turned to a smirk. What else had the Corellian dug up on the Jedi Knight? How far did her supposed interest go? If only these answers came easily

"Maybe if something worthwhile comes up, I'll consider something less rough and tumble. Until then, the jacket has always done me right. I don't see a reason to shake things up quite yet," Ryv answered honestly. Allyson would likely pick up on the tinge of emotional attachment to the jacket, showing a much deeper connection to whatever it represented to the Kiffar. As the silence hung between them, he scanned the crowd for the faces meant to come up to the podium. Sooner or later, Ryv had to take the stand. Until then, the pleasant distraction Allyson provided seemed to hold his attention.

"My plans?" Ryv asked with a coy smile. "To be honest with you, I've got the speech to give and nothing to do after that. As surprising as it may seem, I'm not one to go out on the town by my lonesome. Far less entertaining than getting into some trouble with folks you know," he pivoted on his heel to face her. "So, Allyson, want to get into some trouble?"

Allyson Locke ​

 

[Maynard Treicolt]

​

// OUTRIDER //
// OBJECTIVE // Try and not cry tbh
// FOCUS // Loske Treicolt | Amea Virou | Emmen Tagge | Raona Cadera

The military dress colors were never all too comfortable. Given the maverick nature of Outrider it wasn't all too fitting of a sight to see him in an officer's uniform. But this was twice in a row he'd be representing the Alliance under some form of obligation in a high brow setting. At the very least, it made choosing the attire not so much of a chore, something Maynard had never been a good at in a venue that required more than his preferred Spacer Trash™ ensemble. A choice of aesthetic far more fitting to his character, but even so that wasn't even what bugged Treicolt the most. It was easily the wait for his newfound love's arrival.

Knocking back a drink of sweet liquor before setting it down unto a nearby table Maynard exhaled a nervous breath before soon enough he felt a snatch at his wrist before he felt that warm lacing of fingers between his from Loske as he turned to see her with widened eyes before he smiled into the kiss on the cheek.

"Oh- hey." He said, his face flushed red as he looked over the Kiffar in her Coruscantily clad dress. Even when Maynard was 'trying' his hardest to look the part, she still had him out-did. But when didn't she? It was moments like these where he was reminded how lucky he'd been. It wasn't always the case, he'd seen his close scrapes with mortality several times over be it on Brentaal or Honoghr . Ironically enough, she was there at his side. He was pretty sure she was the difference, at least, he certainly felt an elevated purpose when she was near.

"Well I guess I have no choice do I. Glad you dressed about as well as I would, Amea." He remarked with a grin in his characteristic Concordian charm, he probably would've adopted a look only a notch or three in formality of her's if he didn't have the obligation of representing the Alliance starfighter corps and Saber Squadron. An obligation Loske seemingly was not under. Spacer Trash™ knew Spacer Trash™ after all. Wrapping an arm around Loske until he had a hand resting on her waist he let off another exhale as he seemed to settle into the environment and blotted out the idle bustling noise around them.

Spotting Ryv in conversation with P Placeholder 0128 past a mass of people his grin evened out as nerves enveloped his senses again. That wasn't any encounter he cared to have, not now. His discomfort was evident, Loske likely piecing the reasoning why when he shifted his gaze back to the two ladies.

"So-" And he was immediately interrupted, his brow arching as he raised his brow and looked in the direction of the Chancellor whose speech seemed to overtake the noise of the crowd. His expression was all but placid when Emmen Tagge began to speak, expecting it to be another round of gratitude to the attendees. And then, he started naming names. As soon as Maynard's was dropped his expression went through a stage of shock to surprise and then excitement. He'd never even gave thought to accolades, only ever entering any level of official service to the Galactic Alliance to do right by his friends. Seemingly more than them noticed.

Almost immediately he turned to Loske, his face lighting up with a grin once more before he aimed to pull her into a kiss with a hand clasped at the side of her neck. Closing his eyes into the action he eventually shifted his gaze away, moving his hand to caress her cheek as he peered into her deep blue eyes.

"Whatever the hell it is you probably deserve most of the credit. But- don't think you wanna be up there. I know I sure as hell don't." He said with a faint laugh between them, reluctantly breaking the physical contact with Loske before offering a wave to the two.

"Wish me luck!" Maynard said before he made his best attempt at weaving through the crowd before he finally managed his way unto the stage. Upon hearing Ryv mentioned, his expression lit up again. Offering an enthusiastic clap in support of his Kiffar pal, his eyes sought out the Sword Of The Jedi, hoping to share the moment of revelry with him. Maynard knew well he deserved it all the same, if not far more than the Concordian did.

 

[Lyra 'Sybila' Voikryt]

Objective I : WOOOO
Focus : Irveric Tavlar

---

---

The festivities were well on their way before Lyra had bothered to circulate through the crowd unaccompanied. The rest of the Rangers didn’t seem to have the nerve to brave the storm and she had abandoned them at the entrance of the plaza. They had to at the very least try to grin and bare the party or that was at least the way the command had insisted solidarity meant. They were in foreign space, the woman would give her boys that but she was over it long before they had reached Coruscant.

Look around and take it in for what it was worth, the propaganda she had been spoon fed made for a good laugh after getting a real look around the place. You could only travel so much before cities and worlds began to bleed together. The fireworks were a nice touch at least. She liked to imagine with a bit more sacrificial blood and the works, this was what the upper echelon of the Sith were doing while the rest of them were on campaign. It may have been an over zealous thought but it amused her nonetheless.

Between the revelry and gracious setting the Commander was torn between the free alcohol and the gaps in the crowd that offered some reprieve from the dirty looks. At that thought she brought the glass of champagne to her lips. Navigating past the fringes of the party as she stole another sip. The droning of speeches and the commemorations lost on her, she didn’t give a damn about keeping up with politics but good for..whatever this meant.

She really hadn’t given the memo a close look over, and considered the setting they should have chosen someone else for the visiting delegation. Lyra was going to be late on so many reports and the dress uniform was beginning to scratch at her neck. Looking past the ornate decorate and occasional performer, the woman's brows raised a fraction-spying a familiar face through the crowd. Irveric Tavlar couldn’t blend in to save his life and the Commander considered him. She contemplated leaving him be, but she knew all the shavit aside it would be cruel. Something about an imagine to help maintain as well. Lyra exhaled heavily before approaching the man. Slipping out the crowd in to view of the Imperator.

“You’re brooding,” Lyra muttered under her breath when she was within ear shot, catching her finger under her nose. It may have been considered casual but she had imbued herself with enough liquid courage to deal with him.

 

[Gat Tambor]

// TAMBOR //
// OBJECTIVE // Getting A Medal
// FOCUS // Emmen Tagge

---

---

---

The only feasible reaction of any legitimate government to the heroic feat he managed during an assassination attempt on Tython by valiantly saving his Senatorial rival to the seat of Skako in Blat Slambor. The race for the Senate seat of the industrious world had been polarizing and contentious. Between the Corporatist maverick in Tambor there was the Centrist straight shooter in Slambor the often insular and apathetic Skakoan people had to choose between priding their distincteness in a representation that respected its sovereignty and individuality among the Galaxy above all else, or one that sought to show the Alliance how valuable Skako truly was by folding it into the greater network of worlds the Alliance had to offer.

It was a true argument among the constituents. Regardless, among this feuding Gat Tambor certainly made himself distinct at the acknowledgement of Emmen Tagge. Tagge was almost universally regarded as an upstanding individual in the Alliance's political sector and yet...was there a motive to this act.

Was this an unofficial endorsement of Tambor? Perhaps a plea for a Technoid armament contract on the cheaper side before the war against the Sith Empire really kicked off? Many questions and no answer except the tyrant of trade himself hovering up the steps to the stage with his finger tips pressed against one another in an errant tapping over his chest as he made his way toward his fellow recipients.

 

[Belisarius]

PARTY TIME,
NIAGARA PLAZZA

Belisarius was not on Coruscant. He had not been there for many, many years. No, he was not here but there was a man who once served under Belisarius and he had joined the NIO retinue to congratulate their allies for proclaiming the start of a new era in the Core. An era of prosperity and goodwill.

Who this man is, you ask?

The man, invited personally by both Irveric Tavlar and Cassius Callaesar , was here for a single task. The man put on his sunglasses, plugged in the wire into the music system through which all the speakers were blaring across the planet and he brought the mic to his mouth, then:

Spoiler

 

[Republic Engineering]

​

Corusca Sector // Coruscant System // Coruscant
Alliance Military Base and Staging Area // Vanguard Memorial
Earlier that Day...​

​

His hand trembled. The man was never good with expressing himself off the battlefield, nor bereft of armour. He felt naked and exposed, despite the overcoat he wore. It wasn’t the same. Thanks in part to a lifetime spent in conflict, his warrior’s mind raced from one grisly eventuality to another. A sniper would have little trouble in lining up a shot and taking him out from behind, or a wailing mourner could easily discard their facade, and personally see to the violent end of his tumultuous career. He clenched his trembling hand, seeking to force such thoughts from his mind. It wasn’t the place for such notions. Gideon lived, and those whose names were on the wall before him - didn’t. Such introspection dishonoured their memory.

The epithets belonged to comrades from another life, and another iteration of the Galactic Alliance. Betrayed by those supposed to guide them and stabbed in the back by those who supposedly loved them.

He placed a trembling palm against the polished stone and felt something coarse through his veins. He couldn’t fight this rising sensation, not when the man was so exposed and bereft of his battle armour. Gideon closed his eyes as the sorrow and despair welled within his chest. The Balmorran had to fight it. He had to remain strong in the eyes of his wayward brothers. For their collective memories lived in him, now. It was his duty to carry their memories with him. Sure, the man could forget them and allow this polished slab to shoulder such a burden, but it would’ve been a disservice to those he fought and bled beside.

Whilst his mind filled with the faces of those he lost, Gideon barely noticed that his outstretched palm turned into a balled fist. As the newfound pressure rippled through his arm, the Commando withdrew from the stone monument. The man was almost consumed by his emotions and nearly lost control. He couldn’t let that happen, not while he was so exposed. His welling tears were not for others to see - nor his fallen comrades. They would be his, and his alone, to shed in private - away from prying eyes. So, the Balmorran began his lonesome trek away from the memorial slab, only to halt in his tracks as the newest portion was unveiled earlier on that very week.

As his eyes turned towards the towering Obsidian Slab - Gideon spotted an all too familiar name that chilled the blood pumping through his veins. While the Commando knew many of the names that adorned this new monument, there was one that seized his attention. Hatchet. Like the others adorning this monument - his name was one of the many that were lost during the various battles fought before the two governments joined as one. Hatchet was his second, and a fellow Balmorran. He died saving as many lives as he could during a rescue mission on the planet of Vulpter. Their Ad-hoc Unit split up to cover more ground, and the Commando stumbled into a Viper’s nest - from which he never returned.

The man was dead, and Gideon was here. It was like he was a punchline to some terrible joke.

“You’d probably smack me for acting like this,” Gideon whispered as he ran a hand across the etched name and serial number. “There’s a flurry of emotions swirling around my head, and standing on familiar ground stained with the echoes of the past…”

“It’s not easy for me to be here. But, when I heard that they were finally putting up this memorial, I had to come by and make sure that your name was on it - even if I wasn’t ready. Then again,” Gideon mused. “Were any of us ready for this?”

He paused then, to blink away the welling tears and offer a small - but noticeable smile.​

“I know, it’s uncharacteristic of me to get all morose. However, my Shrink said it’s good to express myself. Yeah, I got a Shrink. The Navy threatened to strip me of my Command after the action on Vulpter. I see her every Primeday before we muster. Aside from today - on Unity Day of all days - I’ve been doing pretty well for myself, despite the fact I’m still having issues expressing myself outside of combat.”

“Some of the other Squads have been saying I’m like a Battle Droid who doesn’t know how to switch off. That it’s all business with me.” Gideon chuckled, then. “That would probably explain why I feel naked without the armour.”

“To that end,” the Commando said with a sigh trailing his lips. “Some of the Lads begged me to join them for drinks later this evening. I think it’s about time I got a taste of some of that life you were always telling me to get.”

“Until we meet again, Brother.”​

~*~​

Coruscant // Galactic City
Uscru Entertainment District // Outlander Club
Scenario One - Party
[ Casual Attire / Face Reveal ]​

​

His vision swam as the crystalline tube struck the bar-top. Gideon was - for all intents and purposes - a lightweight when it came to alcohol. Sure, the man could’ve activated his anti-toxin implant and would’ve been perfectly fine, but that would have defeated the purpose of exploring this new frontier. He was here to enjoy the finer things in life. To finally celebrate all the achievements that his comrades-in-arms strived toward. They would’ve wanted him to live in the future they fought for, rather than be consumed by lingering rage leftover from another age, and past life.

Now, when it came to drinking - Gideon was wholly new to the prospect and considered by many, including his Sun Guard trainers, to be a lightweight. The man had nursed a single Eyeblaster, which unexpectedly lived up to its name and caused his vision to swim. He didn’t feel much other than warmth flowing into his belly, or the slight burn tingling the back of his throat. The man haphazardly assumed that he was intoxicated - or at least close enough that anything further would get him wholly drunk.

“Itsh crazy,” Gideon slurred as the newest face in Sigma Squad sought to draw the man into a conversation. He hadn’t really gotten to know the Caridan all too well since he got assigned to his Unit - but there was something that Gideon couldn’t place about him that reminded the man of someone he used to know. “I’m used to scheeing the same people, ovah and ovah again, and not so many… coloursh.”

The man was slurring his words. That wasn’t good. He needed something to help clear his mind and his vision for that matter. Thankfully, before they clinked their glasses, the sober Gideon had the foresight to order himself a glass of water - which reportedly helped the body cleanse itself of intoxicants naturally. So, as the Sergeant asked his next question, the Lieutenant gulped down a refreshing mouthful from a partially frosted glass.

“Yeah,” the man responded, sounding less inebriated than before. “I was a fresh-faced trooper recovered from the frontlines against the First Order, and was stationed…” He paused. “Stationed here when the Vanguard went down.”

His tone softened as he spoke. The memories of his visit to the memorial still clung at the back of his mind, making Gideon partial to another drink. Something that would help him drown out the faces of the honoured dead. Such blessed relief arrived as the Droid returned, carrying another round. Din, the name of the newbie to Sigma’s ranks, was quick to snatch up their drinks - one of which was passed to Gideon, who caught the crystalline tube by reflex. Others were on the tray, but those tubes found themselves in the hands of Whisper and Dynamo - the remaining members of the original Sigma.

Unlike their Commanding Officer - they looked like they were enjoying themselves, rather than drowning their secrets in alcohol.​

“I...” Gideon began, before taking a swing from his newly acquired tube. “I’ve never been to Carida before. Sadly, I was deployed elsewhere and never really had the chance. I heard it’s lovely this time of year, though.”

That was when the Commando’s attention was instantly drawn elsewhere. He couldn’t see who it was, but someone decided to emit a nigh-ear-bursting shriek in the proverbial heart of the Outlander Club. His eyes, now alert, drifted from patron to patron - trying to see who screamed.

“Sir,” Dynamo said, pressing his hand onto Gideon’s weathered overcoat. “It’s alright. We’re perfectly fine here. Hell, the Coruscant Security Force is sitting outside, making sure we don’t cause too much Chaos during Unity Day.”

The Lieutenant nodded.

“You’re right. Thanks.”

As Dynamo spoke to Gideon, Whisper leaned in closer to Din. ​

“You’ll have to excuse the Boss. He’s not really the same without his armour, nor a good blaster at his side.”​

| Din Marren | Val Drutin | Outlander Patrons.​

 

[Allyson Locke]

The Corellian understood utterly the need and desire to wear the leather jacket. She was the owner of an extraordinary jacket as well that she wore often. It didn't belong to her but to someone extremely special to the Corellian. The coat was one piece of her that Allyson had left along with the fond memories. Remembring, the jacket, made the woman smile - it was warm and had good vibes to it. Her laughter stifled the best it could be by her hand, knowing that speeches were happening. One moment she peeled her eyes away and glanced as to who was making their way up. Maynard Treicolt seemed to be the brave soul, she gave a little clap, and then her attention returned to Ryv.

"A speech, huh?" She pondered the thought, knowing that he was probably going to be going up there pretty soon. It would be a terrible thing if she left him hanging or lost her chance. He was looking to have fun, and she was in the same boat - the fact that he chose to spend his evening with her meant the world to the Corellian. Though she did her best not to show it, she moved her head from side to side slightly as she mused over his question. Of course, she wanted to get into trouble, and she was Allyson Locke, her middle name was trouble.

Did Ryv know what he was getting? It was possible he did, but she would bet he didn't. He looked at her, and she stepped forward, closing whatever distance was between them. Reaching out quickly, the woman grabbed the man by his collar and pressed her lips against his. She released his jacket and broke the kiss briefly, her face still close to his. "I'm ready to get into all sorts of crazy trouble with you, Mr. Sword of the Jedi." Grinning, she started to pull away, making him work for another kiss if he so wished for it.

Ryv

 

[Adhira Chandra]

Coruscant // Galactic City
Senate Plaza
Objective 1 & Objective 2​

​

Adhira had already grown bored of the latest pawn at the podium and started to fiddle with the large jasper stone on her left pointer finger. She deftly turned it several times around her finger as her mind trailed off to current issues on her home planet. Balmorra had several companies exporting to the Confederacy which had recently turned its back on the Alliance. The Balmorran Senator meanwhile had been working overtime plotting ways to undermine their government economically. On approximately the fourth turn of her ring, a familiar green plateau slinked into her periphery.​

​

Her dark brown eyes darted to the source of annoyance on the edge of her field of vision. The hero of Skako, her internal monologue was little more than a venomous hiss at this point. Her eyes darted between the Chancellor, the podium, and Gat Tambor as she pieced together the reason for his presence. They're going to pin a medal on him, she smirked in the direction of the Chancellor. She'd found his skeleton.​

​

Adhira excused herself from the front line of Senators behind the podium and positioned herself closer to the line of people who would be speaking. Specifically, she made sure she was right next to Tambor himself.​

​

"Chairman Tambor," she cooed discreetly at the Skakoan billionaire, "such an honor to be in your presence..."​

​

The Balmorran Senator stopped speaking briefly to offer her polite applause and a smile to whoever was prattling on at the podium before returning to her conversation.​

​

"I don't believe we have had the pleasure yet... Adhira Chandra, Senator of Balmorra," she offered a small nod, "I just didnt want to miss out on the opportunity to congratulate you. My sources on Skako assure me that you will be walking the hallowed halls of the Senate shortly. I hope you and I will have many an opportunity to cooperate." Adhira promptly faked a smile in the direction of the speaker at the podium, a little something for the cameras, but her attention remained fixed on the Skakoan executive.​

 

[Din Marren]

Coruscant // Galactic City
Uscru Entertainment District // Outlander Club
Objective One - Party
Republic Engineering Cuyan'ika Rook Val Drutin​

Din can't help but smirk as the battle hardened vet slurs his response. Of all things to happen, he hadn't expected to hit the club with his commando battle-brothers and lose their L-T on the second round. Truth was, there was something humanizing about it that he appreciated. Most guys like them were so stunted from the battlefield that they could spend the whole night firing back Blasterfuel shots and still head home miserable.

A laugh finally escapes him after he draws another sip from the near-frozen cup, "Yeah, it's not so bad." He tosses a glance over his shoulder to Whisper, shaking his head "Ain't we all a little more comfortable in the ol' tin suits?"

He looks back to Null and extends his drink to cheers. There's a sharp clang as the metal tube taps against crystal, prompting him to quickly fire back what remained of his drink before letting out an exaggerated gasp for air and slamming the empty cup down, "Come on, boss! More people'd want to try a blaster on you in that armour than they would lookin' sad like that. If we're not fighting for days like these, what's it all for anyway?"

Din nudges the Balmorran's shoulder with his elbow, "We gotta celebrate, Null. We owe it to the people who can't."

Looking out across the club as he waits for another top-up, his eyes catch a lone Mandalorian at one of the tables. His left arm extends to smack against Whisper's chest in a hurried attempt to get his attention. "Speaking of tin suits!" he gestures with a tilt of his head "You don't see many of those tough motherfethers around much anymore, huh?"

He pats Whisper several times on the chest and gives him a wink, "You better believe I'm not missing the opportunity to party with a Mandalorian."

At that, he raises a hand to try to draw his attention while attempting to shout over the booming music, "Mando! Get that beskar-plated ass over here!"

 

[Val Drutin]

Din Marren Republic Engineering Cuyan'ika Rook

The bartender reached Val, who had already leaped off the bar stool, knocking it over with a loud thud.

“Kid, I don’t know what your problem is—”

Val wasn’t looking at him. He was staring in horror at the apparition of his mother. Sinead Drutin was supposed to be in prison, serving time after having been busted for drug possession and her intimate connections to a slave-trading crime lord. A crime lord who had convinced her to sell her own son into slavery…

The old woman smiled at him, her teeth much too white, her eyes far too blue. To Val’s tattered mind, it no longer mattered whether she was real or not. He had to get away from her, now.

As the bartender started toward him, ready to haul him out, he turned tail and ran out the door. Thrust into the crowds of celebrating citizenry, he staggered, skidding to a halt before he could run into a group of loud, drunk people. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the apparition following him, clutching her handbag to her chest as if she was afraid someone would try and steal it from her.

Val tried to run away, but the streets were too densely packed for him to get far. Soon he was trapped, surrounded by moving figures, the sounds of laughter and the smell of perfume and body odor swirling around him. He pushed through the cloud, only to be swept up in the current moving inexorably forward.

Fireworks exploded overhead. Val sputtered as a piece of confetti caught on his lip; more attached themselves in his hair and costume. At last, he was unceremoniously ejected from the bubble of shrieking partygoers and found himself deposited on some kind of balcony overlooking a… stage? Someone was giving a speech? Wh—Where was he?...

As he looked around, his danger sense went off. He turned and found himself facing a man. He was middle-aged, with dirty blond hair cropped short, wearing some kind of military uniform—and holding a green lightsaber.

Despite this, no one around him seemed to pay him any heed; it was another hallucination, visible only to Val. Val sighed and pouted. Tonight just wasn’t his night!

“Now what?” he asked the illusion. “Do we fight or something? Am I even allowed to fight here…?”

In response, the man charged at him. Val leaped straight up, flipping over his head and landing on his feet just in time to watch as the man dove over the edge of the balcony.

“Ha! That was stupid,” Val declared, looking at the spot where the man had plummeted to his (imaginary) death. Somewhere in the crowd, someone who had seen Val do a flip was awkwardly clapping. In a galaxy full of aliens and space wizards, such tricks weren’t that impressive.

Val sighed, watching the VIP down below yakking. “Maybe I should run for office,” he murmured, brightening. “I could probably give a much more interesting speech...”

Arage Bao

 

[Loske Treicolt]

Objective 1 - Wooo!
Coruscant // Galactic City // Senate District
Amea Virou // Maynard Treicolt ​

There was a little bit of irony to use the word remember so fluidly with Amea and her introductions. Things moved quickly from that point onward, and a list of contributing names was drawled out from the stage. As much as Maynard recognized his title, she did too and in a moment of proud clarity turned to share the that's you! sentiment with the captain at her side. He seemed to figure it out about the same time as she did, and captured her attentions in an outward display of hooray. Even with the chorus of people around them, the crowds dissolved when she closed her eyes and the acknowledging moment was just between the pair of pilots.

Her hand slid up to cover the back of his hand for the brief moment it lingered on her cheek and she gave it a squeeze."No, stop -- this is all you." She objected as soon as the sentence and gave a pat to his chest. Take the compliment. He was absolutely right, though. The idea of getting up on stage, in front of all of Coruscant was so far from her wish list that she almost physically churned at the idea and only gave an overly enthusiastic nod of confirmation.

'Luck!" It was entirely unnecessary, but the sentiment remained the same as a bolstering. As soon as Maynard started to make his way, someone wandered through the crowd with flutes of sparkling. The accessibility made it all too easy, and she plucked two from the tray and handed one to Amea, keeping her gaze trailing after her uniformed counterpart as he took the stage, unable to stop the grin that suffused through that was rooted in admiration. It wasn't completely surprising May was being recognized for his efforts, he'd been thrusting himself headlong into conflict since Brentaal and an unmistakable ally for The Alliance's efforts, let alone a representative for the Jedi Order. The fact that he reacted so swiftly to the attention was a huge leap forward in contrast to the denial of compliments or acknowledgement. Growth! Speaking of Jedi Order representative, that answered her question of Where's Ryv .

A few rallying calls of his callsign happened nearby, and Loske's attention flickered in the direction of the hooting members of Saber Squadron. Out-ri-der! Out-ri-der!

Just short of reaffirming in a gushing string of excitement how cute she thought that moment was, she cin cin'd the rim of her glass against her friend's and poked her fingers into the bubbling golden liquid to pick out a piece of coloured paper that had dropped from the sky, before she flicked it down to the ground that was already collecting a mass of the little paper. It was like dry, rainbow snow.

Affording to look away from the stage for a moment, she grinned in the direction of the tomb raider. "You uh," she tapped the end of her nose in indication to her short-haired friend. "You have a bunch of glitter at the end of your nose. Hah - welcome to The Core." Where things like glitter and confetti were a thing. "This is the first time I've been to one of these."

Part of her was surprised at the distinct feeling of P Placeholder 0128 nearby, and she made sure there was nothing concealing about her own presence. As far as she was aware, there was still some sort of tether that existed by choice of the unknown. The part that was offended and hurt, and ultimately the bitchy side, snidely reassured herself that of course he was on Coruscant at the time of the political agenda's apex. The other part, the true majority of herself, was genuinely shocked and relieved that he was back and around. That suggested that perhaps the purpose of his Barash Vow had been accomplished, and he was ready to reintroduce himself to the machine that greatly needed more cogs. And closure. She owed him closure and a conversation - not matter how justified she felt.

 

[Nora Lithos]

Quinvee Dogen​

As far as games actually went, Nora knew only as much as any other hobby practitioner would. She led an active lifestyle, kept herself on her feet and running about as often as she could, and with the dissolution of what little had remained of the Sacred Lotus that wasn’t exactly difficult to do. Peace was a big station and Nora had more than plenty of rooms that she could turn into an impromptu space for, well, anything she wanted to.​

While Nora was undoubtedly disappointed to get off the Mirialan man’s shoulders she would quickly let any semblance of a frown fade away and in its place let a questioning glance and accompanying grin spread across her face from cheek to cheek. Had she known just exactly who this man was, maybe she wouldn’t have been quite so quick to assume her luck. But Nora didn’t know he was and Nora most certainly didn’t question her luck in the slightest.​

She waved as the kids ran away and quickly turned back around towards the Smashball simulator. Which was to say, a small lane with several circles of varying sizes in which you would toss a fairly sizable ball. The closer to the center you got, or rather your fellow ‘teammate’, the better you scored. ​

“Yeah, although the Order itself has sort of… Dissolved, I guess.” Nora smiled as she gave the man a gentle shrug. “Last I heard, the Confederacy has taken over our old temple grounds. Those of us that still remain have moved on to other things, but hey, that’s not why you and I are here.”​

She picked up the ball and held it before her.​

​

“Now, I don’t mean to presume, but I take it you know the rules to Smashball?”​