[The Kathol Outback]: Dominion of Jelucan Hex

[Jorus Merrill]

[member="Matt Justice "][member="3X744"] [member="Bryce Bantam"] [member="Joza Perl"]

The cadet ball more than measured up to the standards he knew. Then again, he'd been a larger man in a staff uniform at the last LAA function he'd attended. The world looked different as a cadet.

The Underground had its share of slicers. Cadet Jor Quentin was on the Jelucan rolls, and had been for two entire days. There were, on occasion, non-health-related benefits to the rxtreme rejuvenation that had come his way in Wild Space. In a context like this, nobody looked at another cadet twice.

Jorus mingled furiously. At least, he tried. Building rapport with kids in their late teens and early twenties took more than a young face. Somewhere along the way, he'd gotten old. Mara would have been the better choice for this operating, but Mara was off bankrolling planetary reconstructions and learning the ins and outs of Force-attuned crystals. And she'd been more withdrawn, more solemn in most social situations ever since the Ilum enclave massacre. Sociable, but only with adults and a few close friends. No, she might not have done so well at this after all.

 

[Bryce Bantam]

Location: By the bar
Allies: [member="Joza Perl"] | Layla (NPC) | [member="Matt Justice "] | [member="3X744"] | [member="Jorus Merrill"]
Enemies: Qektoth and FO agents
Objective: #1 Infiltrate the ball
Gear: Executive Protection Armor Holo-link Defender Bracelet

Bryce and Layla had made their way to the bar and were sharing a drink as they looked over the fertile hunting ground.

"Feth she's a wet fish," Layla said jokingly as she pointed out stuck up young noble that seemed to be boring the tears out her academy date.

"Bet he could use the company of a girl who knows how to have a good time." Bryce replied.

Layla was already as work. Even though he wasn't in range for her pheromone attack she had already caught his eye. Her work hadn't gone unnoticed either as his date now seemed mortified her date as staring intently at another and before Bryce could comment the young junior officer was soaked in champaign. As the prissy heiress walked away Bryce leaned over to his date.

"You're on, he was number three in his class, go give him the night of his life."

With a devious smile, she nodded her understanding but left she pointed over to a woman who seemed out of place.

"Yes but she was number one, looks like she could use some company as well sug."

Looking over Bryce saw the cadet in question. A battleship of a woman she was sitting at a table all alone. Bryce looking over at the bartender and grabbed the glass of champaign she had been pouring. Slamming it down in one giant gulp he needed the liquid courage to steel himself for the encounter ahead.

Ok boy, if you can ask these girls to take one for the team, only fair to take one yourself, now fire up, lets' do this...

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

Location: In line to enter
Allies: [member="Matt Justice "]/ [member="Joza Perl"] /[member="3X744"] / [member="Bryce Bantam"] / Personal "security"
Enemies: Qektoth and FO agents
Objective: #1 Infiltrate the ball

The trail towards the door had been an interesting one. Her gown for the evening had turned plenty of heads, and some even posed to take a photo with her like she was some sort of royalty...oh that's right, she was role playing a crown princess this night. Her "security" got the hint and began ushering their charge through the crowd out front. This whole ordeal had made the already late infiltrator run even more late, and she was getting frustrated.

They reached the front of the rather extensive line, and Ki sighed in relief. Now she could gather herself and begin her grand peacock show.

Her "status" got her and her all female crew to the front and eye-to-eye with the event's security. Commander Tikami took the lead, handing their forged IDs and passes to the head usher, engaging in little to no conversation all the while. The usher beckoned over the head of security, and they quietly conversed with Chika. They then scanned herself and each of her detail, finding the standard holdout pistols for a force such as theirs, and they were surprisingly cleared soon after.

Tense seconds felt like forever before the doors were cleared and the attendants and security bowed,"Your Highness, the Commandant is honored by your presence. Please, do enjoy your night and if you require anything, we are your humble servants."

Kimiko returned the gesture with hard practiced grace before her and her group entered. They quickly reached their first obstacle: the top of the stairs, where they were to be announced. Ki gave herself one last look over herself, taking in the sight of her gown.

Chika approached her followed by another attendant,"Princess, are you ready?"

The fox-kin swallowed and nodded, and they stepped forward under the words of the usher,"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Crown Princess Kimiko."

Her eyes swept over the gathered masses, giving her best smile before she could descend to the party below.

 

[Leo Vandermolen]

Location: En Route (In LAAT)
Allies: [member="Cody Bantam"] | [member="Aerin Kath"] | [member="John Shepherd"] | [member="Dax Fyre"] | [member="Yarva Adisu"]
Enemies: CALIAN CONFEDERACY
Objective: #2
Post: #2

John's speech was rather amusing, rallying the troops to the cause and all. Leo smirked from the far side of the LAAT as they came into view of their LZ. Peering through the openings in the side of the LAAT, Leo spied crude barricades and fortifications set up near a small village, this is all we're getting, he thought to himself, grimacing as he came to the realisation as to exactly how many lives were going to be lost this day. And Leo was determined to not be counted as one of them, this was gonna be a battle to remember.

 

[Dax Perl]

Location: LAAT
Nearby: [member="John Shepherd"], [member="Aerin Kath"], [member="Cody Bantam"], [member="Leo Vandermolen"]
Objective: Disembark

Dax saw the mercenary peer out one of the rifle slots, a grimance passing over his features. Dax likewise looked out one, the ramshackle buildings, the hastily constructed barriers. None of this would stand against a full scale attack. A quiet curse could have been heard by those nearby had it not been for the clanking and rattling of the transport as it neared the AO.

Dax closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He wondered what [member="Azlyn Ike"] would think of the fact that he was risking everything to assist some strangers. Sure she'd probably enjoy the violence, the thrill of the fight, but he doubted she'd understand why he did it. He wasn't sure he did either. To be a hero? No. More like to prove he wasn't the scum the saber on his belt said he was.

 

[Aerin Kath]

Location: LAAT
Allies: [member="Tilzi"] | [member="Dax Fyre"] | [member="John Shepherd"] | [member="Yarva Adisu"] | [member="Cody Bantam"] | [member="Leo Vandermolen"]
Objective: 2
Post: 2


Aerin appreciates Commander Shepherd's speech, "Thank you Shepherd," he shuffles his feet once again. Thinking upon the lighthearted talking between friends on the way to war. Aerin grabs his scarf and pulls it tighter at the turbulence. "Nearing the LZ folks, get yourselves ready, and not to spoil or sour the mood, but look at the men around you." he pauses for effect "These are your brothers in arms, if they go down, you help them back up, you hear?"

 

[Joza Perl]

Location: Ballroom
Allies: [member="3X744"] | [member="Matt Justice "]| [member="Bryce Bantam"] | [member="Kimiko"] | [member="Jorus Merrill"]
Enemies: Qektoth and FO agents
Objective: #1 Infiltrate the ball
Post: #3

Joza smiled graciously as Matt kissed her hand, bowing her head slightly in turn. Events like these were something she relished at the right time, especially so considering the task at hand. Flirting, seduction, hopefully a cleanly executed murder—what could make for a better night? If only she wasn’t swollen with child, the Zeltron would be freely flittering through the crowds right now, testing her alleged skill on the young bucks of the Jelucan Preparatory Academy. At least the dress she’d worn was more appropriate than the last ball she’d crashed with The Kathol Outback. Pregnancy may have had something to do with it.

“You’re looking a bit peachy for a main who claims to be three quarters Zeltron.” Her voice was light, teasing even. She was well aware that genetics did not always play fair, given the number of partial Zeltrons and their varying appearances she’d come across. Joza was similar in appearance to her mother, though a bit lighter in skin tone. Mystique, another half-Zeltron also bore the pink skin of their race. However, a certain James Justice appeared fully human despite his Zeltron heritage as well. At Matt’s next words though, a barb of suspicion poked at the back of her mind and her brow scrunched in mild amusement. “How kind of you to come here on an errand for your friend. Is said friend in attendance today?”

Her gaze drifted through the crowd for a moment before her attention—and that of the room—was drawn towards a lovely young woman with vulpine attributes as she entered the party. Eyes remained on her as she mingled through the crowds, flanked by her security force. Princess Kimiko? Ah, Kimiko. Bryce’s friend. At that thought, green eyes flickered away from the snow-haired woman and her entourage, scanning the throngs of people for said doctor. “Oh?” She muttered out loud, surprised yet pleased to see him approaching a stern looking woman who was sitting alone. Layla was already off doing what Zeltrons did best, and Joza eyes her with an approving gaze once she caught sight of the violet haired vixen.

Her date for the evening seemed thoroughly occupied as well, given that Ivan now had three young officers looking interested in whatever he was talking about. Never did she think she’d get jealous of the attention the grumpy pilot was getting, but Joza was proud all the same. It was nice to see him having a good time.

She turned back towards Matt and looked as if she were about to say something when the flash of a crisp red uniform caught her eye just over his shoulder. The images she’d studied in preparation for this event were a good representation of Commandant Tiberious—their target for the evening. Action mode kicked in, and the seductress kicked into gear, unwilling to let her prey get away. Even if she didn’t manage to wrangle him into her flirtatious web, she could at least set the stage for someone else. “Oh, it that Commandant Tiberious? Come, let’s go say hello.” Grasping Matt’s arm gently, she looked up at him with a bright smile.

 

[John Shepherd]

Location: Shiva IV
Allies: [member="Aerin Kath"] | [member="Dax Fyre"] | [member="Leo Vandermolen"] | [member="Tilzi"] | [member="Yarva Adisu"]
Objective: 2
Post: 4

He looked over at some of the soldiers as they where peering out the window.... on the wrong side. This group wouldn't be defending the town, no they wold be the front lines digging themselves into foxholes on the plains below the mountain where the Sandstorm will hit first. They were going to make a zig-zag with their foxholes and hide right in the storm as they waited for the enemies to walk close enough that when they attacked they would hit hard. Each member was given their spades and their goggles and mask before they left to help with the digging and the sandstorm. Sighing softly he finally glanced out the window in which they were going to land and saw how close the sandstorm was going to be, he knew he was cutting it close but he needed to get into the cover of the storm quickly. He pulled his goggles up over his eyes and rustled the spade over attached to his belt thrusters. He watched the men rustle around as they got closer to the LZ and started turning towards the door to get out as fast as they could after they hit the ground. After what seemed like hours they finally hit the ground and the doors slowly opened. "Everyone out! Form a 360 around the LAAT and make sure it gets back to the ships! It's a rental and I don't want them to get a scratch on it!"

 

[Thorald Magnusson]

Location: Ballroom
Allies: [member="Joza Perl"] | [member="Kimiko"] | [member="Bryce Bantam"] | [member="Jorus Merrill"] | [member="3X744"]

He smiled softly towards the woman as she seemed to enjoy the politeness and the hand kiss as well. He stood with his back straight and his broad shoulders set as she talked to him, he payed attention to her words actually very interested. He listened to her as she teased him about his skin and laughed slightly, he actually got that a lot more then people thought. "Haha, yes I take after my father who was Half Zeltron but maintained his human-like skin color as well. Oh, and it's just he needed me to help him get something done with the decorations for the night, I had a.... pin that he wanted to wear along with a belt, and invited me to come, but I don't see him here, he had gotten pretty sick last I heard." As he said this he saw her scan the room and after the mention of a Princess Kimiko she apparently was looking for the woman, but then she gave a very interesting look of approval to the other Zeltron. This made him raise his eyes slightly because seeing one Zeltron was out of place at event like this, but two that knew each other, was fishy. But, before she saw he returned them as he then noticed her glance at a man who had caught the attention of three cadets. He assumed it was her date and just looked back at her as she mentioned the man that his friend had told him about, the man he needed to help the Outback take down. Then before he could react she had slipped her arm under his and started walking toward the man. Fixing his posture after this unplanned turn of events, he looked down at the woman that was leading her into the Commandant's presence, he pulled her a little closer to help him appear as though she was his date.

 

[Bryce Bantam]

Location: By the bar
Allies: [member="Joza Perl"] | Layla (NPC) | [member="Matt Justice "] | [member="3X744"] | [member="Jorus Merrill"] | [member="Kimiko"]
Enemies: Qektoth and FO agents
Objective: #1 Infiltrate the ball
Gear: Executive Protection Armor Holo-link Defender Bracelet

"Can I get you a drink?" Bryce asked the female cadet he has walked over to.

He was trying to keep a casual smile on his face, working to not let his nerves or the overriding fear of this woman get to him. I mean feth, he is was a force master by now, he had fought sith spawn, mutant man-beasts and worse, but yet he was still nervous at talking to a woman. Now mind you she was over two meters tall and built like a hutball player but still a twenty-something woman none the less.

"You can go..." was all she could say before looking at Bryce. Then a strange look came over her as she breathed in deeply. She was smiling in an almost drunken way. She paused for a moment then said, "Kark the drink, lets dance pretty boy!"

As Bryce was dragged onto the dance flow the woman held him close and continued to deeply inhale. As he was lead around all Bryce could do is just, well, go along with the ride all the while wondering what was happening.

 

[Dax Perl]

Location: Shiva IV, the Plains
Nearby: [member="Cody Bantam"], [member="Aerin Kath"], [member="John Shepherd"], [member="Leo Vandermolen"]
Objective: Dig in

Dax declined the goggles, his face already protected behind the haunting and menacing metal mask. Hooking the spade onto his belt he checked one last time that his weapons were prepped and ready. The red overhead light was suddenly illuminated as the LAAT arrived the landing zone. As the light tirned green the commander ordered, "Everyone out!" Dax didn't stop to hear the rest. He was the third man to step onto the battlefield, yet unmarred. The wind had begun to pick up the sandstorm growing closer, looming over them like a monster preparing to devour them. And devour then it would. The wind picked up Dax's cloak, billowing around him as he took a knee, the Shaklebolt rifle aimed outwards, awaiting the others to disembark from the ship. The eyes behind the mask scanned left and right, for any sign of danger. Whatever was to come, he was ready.

 

[Carbon]

Location: Corvil, Shiva IV
Post: 2

[member="John Shepherd"] [member="Cody Bantam"] [member="Leo Vandermolen"]

He stayed and chatted with the soldiers for a few minutes in their harsh, native tongue, and then made his way up a fortification that jutted out of the mountainside the fortress was built into. From a firing slit high in a crenelated battlement, he cast his gaze down to the lines below, where a LAAT - old, battered, it had to be, though he couldn't see clearly from up here - landed.

Even with the sand blowing and howling on aggressive winds, it was hard to mistake the form of a dropship coming in for a landing. Even the ghost of it's shadow was big enough to see from up here - though this was likely related to the advantage of height.

Turning backwards, he tugged at the collar of a sentry, pulling him aside from his patrol. Making a cupping motion with his hands around his eyes, the man nodded and handed over a pair of magnoculars. He waited, rather ominously, behind the Mirialan as he hefted the sight-enhancers to his goggled eyes and peered down into the swirling maelstrom of fine granules. He knew about sand, and he knew that it was so thick down there it'd even get into the underwear, where it would chafe and generally make everyone uncomfortable that wasn't already.

Settling his enhanced gaze on the apparent Ell-Zee, he tried to discern shapes in the sandbank as, by now, the doors should be opening to disgorge it's cargo.

 

[Iron Giant]

Location: Shiva IV
Allies: | [member="Cody Bantam"] | [member="Aerin Kath"] | [member="John Shepherd"] | [member="Leo Vandermolen"] | [member="Yarva Adisu"] | [member="Tilzi"] | The Outback Underground Forces
Enemies: Calian Confederacy (None Currently Targeted)
Objective: 2 (Counter-genocide "Liberation" of Shiva IV's natives from the immigrant Confederacy)

So far, since the Exodus from the Realm of Resu from the dreadful biological atrocities of the theocratic dictator, Stone Hermes and the plethora of Morrossian abominations, Iron Giant and her cadre of cybernetically augmented Resu warriors had dealt exclusively in the tactics of piracy and space warfare. They had, in fact, repossessed on their own limited resources, a frigate and three cruisers before exchanging them for the far more coveted Dark Blade dreadnought... which they had converted into their base of operation and mobile home for those who could not comfortably live on Exodus yet. In addition, with that same fleet of a single frigate and three cruisers (with some unarmed support from Resu-class Freighters) Iron Giant was capable of capturing a Wyyrlok as well as three Razer's gifted to her comrade [member="Kimiko"] with the assistance of long lost friend, @HK-36.

Those were all fairly incredible feats for a species that had been so isolated and so at war with itself the galaxy only knew of these exotics on the rare occasion one decided to do anything outside of its system when the galaxy wasn't eclipsed by either cataclysm or all consuming war. Or in other words, a species almost nobody knew about unless Iron Giant did something as a mercenary, or misconstrued by the tall tales of surviving the Morossian Resu and their biologically atrocious experimentation, likely originating from survivors such as [member="Kiber Dorn"].

Now these "CybeResu" were offering humanitarian aid in the only way the knew how: be even less humane against their aggressors. Equal or disproportion retribution was always the favorite policy of every Resu in existence. Though, in this particular case... they made find that difficult to accomplish. They did not have the same flexibility for maneuvering like they did in outer space, or in their home waters. This was going to be an alien battle for them, without the use of the third dimension.

Iron Giant though, was told that ultimately this battle would come down to tooth and nail... and very few humanoids had as many teeth or nails as a CybeResu. They would cut them down, gore them open, and crush their heads under foot. They would be the thing that could break the moral of the enemy, if only if "The Beast" could be taken down... though that in itself, would likely do it. In essence, Iron Giant and the few who accompanied her (namely Mercury Tongue and Steel Broker, her two most trusted), were out of their element, but not without their use.

All three of them had a blaster in hand, and had some modicum of armor even despite its likely ineffectiveness, and all three of them intensely listened to the chatter and commands of the Undergrounders who had more experience in knowing what was going on... even if they conceptually didn't understand everything that was being said.

Apparently there was a storm coming, but something like that didn't concern the Resu... they saw things in the infrared.

 

[Leo Vandermolen]

Location: Surface
Allies: Cody Bantamhttp://starwarsrp.net/user/11613-cody-bantam/ | Aerin Kath | John Shepherd | Dax Fyre | Yarva Adisu
Enemies: CALIAN CONFEDERACY
Objective: #2
Post: #3

The signal went out, troops began pouring out of the LAAT, creating a 360 formation around the drop-ship. The circle was already formed by the time Leo had made his way to the other side and out of the LAAT. His trench coat gently lapping at his heels in the dry wind as he stalked smoothly from the ship, standing between it and the circle, right up behind John. "So... what now boss?" The sandstorm was closing in fast, it was going to cause alot of problems during the fight, but also might work to Leo's advantage. He slipped the goggles on over his eyes and sheathed the shovel John had given him on his shoulder strap.

 

[Tarok Vassket]

Location: Watchtower
Allies: [member="John Shepherd"] | [member="Aerin Kath"] | [member="Tilzi"] [member="Cody Bantam"] | [member="Yarva Adisu"] | [member="Dax Fyre"] | [member="Leo Vandermolen"]
Enemies: CALIAN CONFEDERACY forces
Objective: #2 - Hold the line

As the walkers approached they were mere shadows in the dust storm to Tilzi. Yet her keen eyes started to pick out smaller shapes. Their troop complements were dismounting. Whilst the nightsister was no expert on military tactics she knew that sending the walkers into the rocky terrain unprotected would be a bad idea.

Another friendly scout appeared over a nearby ridge. Spotting Tilzi he made several hand gestures. Their scouts spoke barely a word of basic between them so they had resorted to hand gestures to communicate. However she got the notion here.

Get your head down and wait for the soldiers to start to pass.

 

[2-1B 35]

Location: Above Shiva IV, crashing down in a medical ship
Allies: N/A (until contacted)
Enemies: CALIAN CONFEDERACY Forces
Objective: Contact someone and return to base, safely

35 was pinned against the bacta tanks in the medic bay of the Medical Frigate he was in. It had been shot down and was crashing towards Shiva IV. Desperate to find help, he pushed hard against the broken metal, but it wouldn't budge. He frantically searched for a way to get to the comm link near one of the bacta tanks. 35 tried pushing again, still nothing. Lying on the ground near his leg. Grabbing it he smashed the button on the comm link and called for help.

"Mayday mayday! This is Medical droid 35 aboard a medical frigate! We've been hit and we have many wounded on board! We're currently heading towards the planet Shiva IV and may be heading towards your base! Please get your shields up so if we do hit, the base won't be affected!"

The ship started to shake as it entered the atmosphere.

"Please hurry, many are on here and we can't afford to~~~~

The connection broke and the ship kept crashing down.

 

[Tarok Vassket]

[font=lucida sans unicode']Location: [/font]Watchtower
[font=lucida sans unicode']Allies: [/font][member="John Shepherd"] | [member="Aerin Kath"] | [member="Tilzi"] [member="Cody Bantam"] | [member="Yarva Adisu"] | [member="Dax Fyre"] | [member="Leo Vandermolen"]
[font=lucida sans unicode']Enemies: [/font]CALIAN CONFEDERACY forces
[font=lucida sans unicode']Objective: #2 - [/font]Hold the line

Normally her fingers tightened on the leather-bound grip of her saber hilt and there they stayed. Now she kept changing the position of her hands over and over. It never quite sat correctly in her hands.

She'd pressed herself back into a crevice in a smooth rock face. She saw several shadows pass by the entrance. In here ear was a small comm. The Underground had at least given the tribes the basic tools to fight back. Comm units and blasters and ordnance. Tilzi didn't need to speak their language to know the call to action. She struggled free of her hiding place and back into the harsh sun.

She brought her saber up but the storm had brought in a thick dust cloud. She could no longer see the confederate forces that had passed by. She pulled down her cowl to cover her eyes. With visibility down to a few metres it was easier to rely on the Force to go hunting. The sound of approaching walkers echoed between the rocks.

 

[Alasdair Sitra]

​

​

“I hate balls.” Alasdair took the drink handed to him as the attractive Zeltron came to a stop beside the roguish explorer. “Especially boring balls.”
“I find it all rather exciting really.” The pink girl said as she stared around the various faces in the crowd. “Beside’s it is Jelucan, the after parties are legendary.”
“Hold on.” Alasdair paused to look at the girl. “Did I just here Valeria say that somewhere other then Zeltros has legendary parties?” He looked at his drink with a mocking stare.
“Sometimes one must expand beyond the usual haunts my love.” She smiled sweetly. “Now go and mingle, become one with the pompousness.”

Alasdair did his best sliding through the crowds, keeping small talk here and there but as usual he wasn’t really in the right sort of mind to get into a full conversation with these academic sorts. Most of which looked like they had no right to call themselves neighbours to the Outback.
Yet there were possible recruits among those present, possible contracts and credits to be made as well. After all academic sorts cared for transporting things, valuable things, beautiful-valuable things that could get lost.
Yep for Alasdair today could be a very profitable day.

 

[Van Bri'tsyd]

Location: Landing Pad
Allies: [member="John Shepherd"] | [member="Aerin Kath"] | [member="Tilzi"] | [member="Yarva Adisu"] | [member="Dax Fyre"] | [member="Leo Vandermolen"] | [member="2-1B 35"]
Enemies: CALIAN CONFEDERACY forces
Objective: #2 - Save the droid

As any good commander would Cody has been listening to the comm channels and the report of a medical frigate about to drop on their heads was the last thing they needed right now. There was a new "105" still on the pad having just completed dropping off its' emergency supplies and Cody had made his way to meet the captain.

"I don't care what you have to say, I'm not risking my ship for you anymore. We are going to be long gone before that frigate hits."

"It wasn't a request captain Cody said drawing his side arm. Now I know that ship, my half brother just started making them. Rugged little vessel. Good for cargo runs, a makeshift pocket carrier, of and one hell of a tug boat. Way I see it you got two options, Captain. One is to die a coward from "friendly fire", the other to live as a hero after we save that karking ship. Ya, I said we now get your shebs back onboard your ship. We got some hero work to do.

Cody quickly escorted the reluctant captain back on board his ship, as the ship was already prepped for takeoff, they wasted little time getting into the air and beginning to angle toward the incoming medical ship.

"Unknown medical frigate, this is Colonel Cody, hold on tight, we are going to try and guide you in."

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Objective: Attend a nice ball with an old friend
Nearby: [member="Joza Perl"] [member="3X744"] [member="Matt Justice "][member="Jorus Merrill"] [member="Bryce Bantam"]

"...so then, I kid you not, they tried buzz droids."

Commander Tiberius smirked. "Against planetary-grade shields? And then griped about it, I don't doubt."

"Not as hard as they griped about the kind of losses you take when you throw everything you have against the largest, toughest target in the galaxy, while everything else focuses on you."

"Yes, that was my assessment as well, after the fact. What I'd have given to be at Druckenwell." His face tightened. "For the battle, at least, not what it became. I don't mean to imply-"

"I know what you meant, Jaemes." Ajira offered him a smile. "I have some business to handle. I'll be back in a minute, though. Can I bring you anything? A refill?"

"That'd hardly be gallant of me to accept."

"Then forget gallantry and settle for gratitude. I'll be right back."

As a pregnant Zeltron and some watery-looking young man with a huge jaw sauntered up to Commander Jaemes Tiberius, Ajira made for the restroom. Her Force presence was fully hidden, of course, but such things required some amount of stress. Her bladder was the unfortunate victim.