Faction Umbara Expedition (DH)

[Serenai Vaelthith “Sera Vale”]

Location: Veradune, Mid Rim
Time: Late evening

Serenai arrived twenty minutes early. The cantina was half full, the hum of conversation just loud enough to drown thought but quiet enough to listen if one knew how. She took the corner booth, back to the wall, the light low enough to hide her eyes.

A vapor pen hung at the corner of her mouth as she lit it, the faint shimmer of smoke mixing with the smell of old spice and machinery. She ordered a Corellian whiskey neat and let the glass rest untouched for a while, watching the door.

Her contact had said there were a few people interested in what she carried. A map, old and fragile, charting a tomb on Umbara. The notes that came with it hinted at Sith sorcery buried deep beneath the surface. Dangerous work, but that was the sort she found hardest to resist.

She took a slow sip, the burn grounding her. All that was left was to wait and see who would answer the whisper.

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra settled into the booth with deliberate calm, letting the dim light wash over her face without giving anything away. Her eyes scanned the room once, memorizing the exits, the patrons, and the subtle shifts in posture that betrayed attention or unease.

She exhaled slowly, letting the air carry a faint trace of her presence without drawing unnecessary notice. "You carry danger," she said finally, voice low and even, each word measured. "I have learned to respect what cannot be controlled—and to fear what can."

Her gaze lingered for a heartbeat longer, assessing, calculating. "I will hear what you have to offer. Nothing more. And nothing less. Surprises are… poorly tolerated."

A pause, calm but deliberate, as if waiting not just for words but for intent. In that stillness, Ra's patience spoke louder than any tone could.

Serenai Vaelthith “Sera Vale”

 

[Kairi Shaltar]

Ra'a'mah Serenai Vaelthith “Sera Vale”

SIlent movement, wisps of smoke going against the breeze as she held herself up for a moment. Slipping under the door of the room and going up into the ceiling. To gather for a moment and spread with the rest of the smoke around. A low lit and smokey room, it even she guessed smelled of wines and cheap perfumes... but she wasn't taking a midnight train. Instead the scout had been sent to search and to observe. She looked for who she was supposed to find and came down hanging from the ceiling for a moment when she looked at the woman and then there was another one. Her body taking shape and form from the fireless smoke around the room to fill in and her eyes were glowing. "I would love to hear more."

 

[Serenai Vaelthith “Sera Vale”]

Ra'a'mah Kairi Shaltar

As Ra settled into the booth, Serenai gave a slight nod of acknowledgement. When the smoke began to fill in, her eyes widened for only a heartbeat before she masked the reaction with a slow sip from her glass, letting the burn pull her focus back.

"Thank you for joining me. The expedition itself should be," she paused, the faintest trace of a smile touching her voice, "mostly dull. But if I expected it to stay that way, I would not have looked for others willing to get their hands dirty. Sith tombs that have remained sealed tend to have... little surprises."

A mirthless laugh slipped out, barely audible above the hum of music and quiet conversation. "As I’m sure you know, my name is Sera Vale, and this is my specialty: finding things long lost. However, where the Force is concerned, as is typical with these sorts of jobs, I prefer to have one or two around who can deal with those surprises."

She took a long draw from her vapor pen, the faint glow briefly lighting her face. Her eyes flicked around the room, noting anyone listening a little too closely. "If that sounds acceptable to you, we can discuss my price. Though before we do," her tone remained even, inquisitive but measured, "I would like to know the names of those I’m sharing a table with."

Leaning back slightly, her right hand rested on her thigh while her left held the drink near her face, a trace of coiled stillness in her arm beneath the relaxed posture. Vapor drifted between them as she waited for their reply.

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra's eyes followed the shifting smoke as it coalesced into form, noting every nuance of movement with practiced precision. She gave nothing away, not a flicker of surprise, only a measured tilt of her head as she assessed the other presence.

Then she turned her attention to the woman who had spoken, her gaze deliberate, unflinching. "Sera Vale," she said, voice low and steady, carrying authority rather than warmth. "Your reputation precedes you. I respect skill, preparation, and discretion. That is sufficient to merit my attention."

Her posture remained controlled, each movement economical, deliberate. "The details of your compensation can be addressed later. First, I require clarity on the scope of this expedition and the risks it entails. I do not involve myself in endeavors that invite needless loss."

She allowed a pause, letting her words settle, her presence filling the space without raising her voice. "Names, assurances, and purpose. Provide these, and I will decide how—or if—I lend my expertise."

Serenai Vaelthith “Sera Vale” Kairi Shaltar

 

[Kairi Shaltar]

Ra'a'mah Serenai Vaelthith “Sera Vale”

She looked at the two of them and spoke with a nod of her head while she moved around to find a small place with a nod of her head. "I am Kairi a jedi." Well she was a jedi scout who went around but she hadf a harder time explaining she mostly got to float around... no one seemed to get the joke. "But If there is a chance for the recovery of some force item the temples would be interested in that and I can promise that I have no extra weight to be bringing around so can set off quickly." She said it while looking at her and at the other woman who had given a small acknowledgement which was fine.

 

[Serenai Vaelthith “Sera Vale”]

Ra'a'mah Kairi Shaltar

"It's an old estate, run down. There's much more below the surface than the ruins suggest. The power has been long dead. Some of what might interest you are the research materials, Jedi and Sith both. I have it on good authority this one liked to collect from both sides and twist what he found."

She let the vapor pen rest at the corner of her mouth, eyes narrowing slightly as she took a long, measured drag. "Name, Darth Malvra. Assurances you won't find here, beyond my reputation. The payment from you will cover costs and a little bit of what might be there and I'll be happy. Truly, I care more about exploring where no one has set foot since a time long forgotten."

Looking toward Kairi, she tilted her head slightly. "That trick of yours, I'm sure it will come in handy getting into place a little more easily," she said, half asking, half stating. "Are there more of your associates that may be joining us? Do you have your own transport, or will you be flying with me?"

She took another small sip before setting the glass back on the table in front of her. "Will either of you be ordering anything?"

 

[Glitch Kinthal]

He walked in listening to the thrum his black robes clung to his frame as his sword hung on his hip and the hilt of a saber on the opposite side. many things rolled through his mind but where sith mysteries where concerned you would find him searching for something searching for someone. he stopped by the booth and nodded to Ra a simple greeting. The man took a seat and looked at those gathered. "What's the order today?" he asked the gathering of people.

He fell silent and looked between everyone and watched them he seemed tired and run down but still up to speed he might of been on a job or in a hyper lane when the message arrived so it had taken him a bit to get here but he still made it and still wanted to help where he could. He ordered a drink and waited for it to arrive and sipped at it watching the women gathered.
Ra'a'mah Kairi Shaltar Serenai Vaelthith “Sera Vale”

 

[Kairi Shaltar]

Serenai Vaelthith “Sera Vale” Glitch Kinthal Ra'a'mah

She looked at her eyes glowing for a moment and tapped her mouth for a moment. "Trick?" She was looking at the woman almost curious and like she had grown a second head for a moment which would be quite a feat she was thinking when the others spoke. "Ah I just kind of go from place to place... sometimes wherever the wind blows or sometimes I can travel in a bottle if I need to." SHe was nodding while she remained there and hovered around looking at the others awkwardly. "And as far as I know other jedi aren't coming but they can move around quickly so they could show up if you want them to."

 

[Vulpesen]

Privacy in a Veran cantina was a rare thing. Its taverns and eateries were places to mingle, chat, and make new connections. If you wanted a private meal for intimacy or business, it was best done at home. Of course, that didn't mean that such meetings were taboo. It did mean that they needed a bit of additional distraction. Vulpesen was happy to provide that distraction. Ra'a'mah could fill him in on the details after she made the deal. She was quite good at that, and he wasn't particularly worried about funds in any case.

In the center of the cantina, there was what could best be described as a rising din as Vulpesen kicked, clawed, and punched his way through a growing mass of patrons. His nose was bloodied and the streak of white in his hair was turning a light shade of red due to a cut above his brow. "Come on! Show me what you've got!" Dignified? No. A valde for the people? Well, he was certainly popular judging by how many opponents he had rushing up to try their luck against the old jedi soldier turned wilder commander.

Serenai Vaelthith “Sera Vale” Ra'a'mah Glitch Kinthal Kairi Shaltar

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra let her shoulders relax the barest fraction, an economy of motion that read as ease rather than softness. Her eyes passed over each of them with the same precision, but the tone she used now carried something like courtesy—measured, intentional, meant to steady rather than command.

"Good," she said, voice even and quietly steady. "We have skill at every useful edge: information, speed, and—if necessary—force. That combination is rare and valuable. I intend to use it well."

She folded her hands on the table, palms down —a grounding gesture. "Practical things first: we move light and fast. Minimal gear, predictable manifests, and short transit windows. Glitch—your patience will be our advantage on entry. Kairi—your scouting sets our approach and exit. Sera—your knowledge of the site and its history will determine priorities for recovery. Everyone keeps one mouth and three eyes when we're in the field. No surprises."

Her gaze lingered for a moment on Vulpesen, and the inflection of her following sentence carried an unspoken acknowledgment of trust. "Where politics touch our work, we will carve civility into policy—not allow it to carve us. We take what the mission needs and leave the rest buried. That applies to relics, to information, and to reputations."

She tapped the tabletop once, a soft punctuation. "I will arrange transport and a short supply line. We depart at first light two days from now. I will circulate a coded manifest and a simple network of dead drops for comms. If there are any complications, we bring them to this circle first. Trust in competence, not charisma."

A small, almost private smile—brief, unadorned—crossed her face. "Cooperate. Watch one another. Do what is asked without asking for permission when speed matters. We will be careful and effective. That is how we survive and how we leave the world a little less shaped by those who would crush it."

She inclined her head. "Questions — practical ones only — and then we finalize the manifest."

Vulpesen Glitch Kinthal Kairi Shaltar Serenai Vaelthith “Sera Vale”

 

[Glitch Kinthal]

Glitch leaned back and finished his drink then leaned forward. "Patience is a virtue I have if it helps us get in I will gladly provide it I have searched many a grave before this will be no different." He glanced to Ra'a'mah then to Vulpesen then back to the others "Tell me what's needed and I will supply what I can so we can get in and out." He knew there was a level of danger to this and reached over touching his droid arm for a moment then let it drop to the empty glass and spun it.

He wondered if there was information he could glean or what they would find he had been searching sith crypts and tombs for awhile now getting used to delving. This one seemed more active then most though and they needed to be fast not sure what they where after but he knew what he was looking for. That was his driving force on this expedition. He figured Ra'a'mah would understand his want to be on this granted she made it clear to take only what they where after.
Kairi Shaltar Serenai Vaelthith “Sera Vale”

 

[Serenai Vaelthith “Sera Vale”]

After a slow sip and a long drag on her pen, Serenai watched the smoke coil upward before dissolving into the low haze of the cantina. The air was thick with light and noise, every sound softened by the hum of machinery and the murmur of voices. Her gaze settled on Glitch.
"Explosives never hurt," she said quietly. "Small yield. Not for demolition, just enough to breach and drive rods through to force a door. And your name is?"

"Good. I'll be heading out tonight. One or two of you are welcome to come aboard the Wanderlight if you want to be there from the start. I plan to jump in early and run a deep scan to fill the gaps in the map. I prefer to know exactly what waits below before we step foot on it."

From across the room came a sharp crash, followed by raised voices and the dull thud of something heavy striking metal. The commotion rolled through the cantina like a wave, pulling her eyes for a heartbeat before she turned back to the table, unbothered. The smoke between them drifted apart as she continued.

"The courtyard is overgrown, but there's space to work. The freight hatch in the center used to open for a lift, but the mechanism's long dead. We'll need to rappel down into the lab complex. The drop isn't far, but we'll be descending without power."

"This won't require speed at first," she said, her tone calm and precise. "Still, these places have a way of hiding things." She leaned back slightly, expression unreadable to a casual observer. "If you need to reach me or anyone who joins me, you know where I'll be."

A thin data card flicked between her fingers, catching the dim light. "This is the orbital site I'll be stationed at. It carries an encryption key for emergency contact. When you enter the system, ping me and I'll transmit final landing coordinates once the scans are complete. The cycle runs about twenty hours, and results should be ready roughly seventy hours from now, just before your arrival."

She drew in another slow breath, the pen resting lightly at her lips.
"As for kit, beyond the charges: climbing gear and extra light. Two grav sleds should be enough, three with mine as backup. I have two crates aboard with packing materials; bring five more to be safe. Supplies on the Wanderlight will cover three people for three months. If you need anything particular, get it before we leave."


Her eyes returned to meet each beings eyes in turn "I estimate three days if things go smoothly," she said at last, "seven if the doors fight us or if something else does. If that sounds in line with you requirements, or if you have more questions. Now is the time." Serenia takes another sip of her drink and lingers the glass to her lips for a moment before knocking the last of it back.

Ra'a'mah Glitch Kinthal Kairi Shaltar Vulpesen

 

[Zarrah Vex]

Objective: Watch Ra's back
Location: Cantina, Veradune
Outfit:Casual Outfit
Tags: Serenai Vaelthith “Sera Vale” | Ra'a'mah | Glitch Kinthal | Kairi Shaltar

It was a strange time for Zarrah. With the Zorren opinion of the Alliance in decline and other things being slowly put into motion, Zarrah resigned her commission in the GADF. She had completed her evaluation of the Santhe/Sienar fighter that had been commissioned and was finding herself a little bored. Bored Zarrah was not a terribly good thing, so she was happy to receive a request from Vulpesen to join him in looking after Ra'a'mah.

Zarrah arrived well before the meeting time. She was dressed in uncomfortable casual clothing. The preference for Zarrah was to be in her naval uniform or flight suit. Since she technically didn't belong to any navy at the moment, neither of those made much sense. In those cases Zarrah enjoyed wearing outfits that attracted a good deal of attention when she was out in public. So a simple white shirt buttoned one button higher than she would usually do, and pair of brown trousers, were definitely not the first pick of her wardrobe. But she wasn't in the cantina to call attention to herself.

As the meeting between Ra and the others began, Zarrah did her best to watch without staring. Things seemed to be going well, though Zarrah didn't like that she had no good intel on two of three participants. For Glitch she only had Vulpesen's word that Ra trusted him. That usually wasn't enough for Zarrah's guard to come down, but she would respect their faith anyway…for now.

As the meeting started going in earnest it seemed that a few outsiders gathering were getting more and more looks. Zarrah ground her teeth and wondered how long she could let the meeting go without changing the locale when a commotion started in the middle of the cantina. She gave a low growl as she realized that Vulpesen was in the middle of the brawl, and that he was providing a distraction so that things could be finalized at the meeting. Zarrah's stool spun around as she moved to give Vulpesen any back up that he should need.

Two patrons seeing the fight and who was at the center of it turned and looked to join in. "There are enough participants in this fight. When the Valde is finished here you are free to challenge him." Zarrah hummed with a bit of a chuckle. "In the meantime, why don't you buy a girl a drink? If you are really wanting to fight, I can do that too."

 

[Kairi Shaltar]

Vulpesen Ra'a'mah Glitch Kinthal Serenai Vaelthith “Sera Vale” Zarrah Vex

She looked at more people were coming.. a larger group but she just floated there and around. Finding a place she would be able to linger while listening to the plan. The fighting in the place was not exactly her problem as someone threw a thing and it passed into her head making wisps of smoke curl around before her eye was reforming. She listened when more were arriving to speak... it was quite a party she had to admit. "So many people." Her body moved and started drifting while she was moving around to try and see all of the ones who were there. At least she could learn their faces... humans all looked the same and were so heavy

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra'a'mah watched the room shift around her, the rising tide of arrivals and the occasional chaos folding into the background. She remained seated, posture composed, hands lightly resting on the table, eyes sweeping the gathering with practiced attention. Each person entering carried intent, skill, or opportunity—she noted each quietly, filing impressions away for later.

Her gaze lingered on Glitch. "Patience and precision," she said, her voice calm, carrying over the low hum of conversation and the occasional crash from the brawl. "We will need both. Know what to take, know what to leave. That is how we move through these places and return whole."

She glanced briefly toward Zarrah, recognizing the subtle vigilance in her stance. "Keep observation. Let the room's energy reach you, but do not act unless necessary. Every distraction has its place—and its cost."

Her attention shifted back to the group, settling into quiet authority. "Charges, climbing gear, grav sleds, supplies—those are the essentials. Beyond that, trust your judgment for what the situation demands. Coordination is key; we move as one, or we risk everything. And remember, there are unseen threads—channels through which the Dark Hand keeps the wider situation balanced. They are not to be ignored, even if they are invisible."

A slow exhale, her hands folded atop the table. "This gathering will not last long without notice. Make note of faces, of demeanor, and of those who may be useful. The more we know before departure, the less we rely on luck."

She allowed a brief pause, voice softening only slightly. "We leave as prepared as possible, and we return with what we must. Nothing more, nothing less. If anyone needs guidance, seek me first. We proceed deliberately, together, and without hesitation."

Her eyes scanned the room one final time before she leaned back, expression unreadable but attention sharp, the faintest trace of a smile touching her lips as she murmured to herself, "So many players… and yet, the game is clear."

Kairi Shaltar Zarrah Vex Serenai Vaelthith “Sera Vale” Glitch Kinthal Vulpesen

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen's ears flicked briefly as he caught the voice of Zarrah over the din. On one hand, being a distraction was his current duty. The more he fought, the more attention he gathered. On the other, Lucas would already be upset with the public image of the Valde leaving the cantina with a bloodied nose and a torn tunic. His arms wrapped around another patron who launched themselves at him, and he rotated to slam the poor sod onto his back before delivering a kick to the sternum of another. No weapons, and ordinarily, no use of the force. Such were the rules of Veran tavern brawls. Of course, they were commonplace enough that there would be a medical station in the corner where participants could get some first aid. Civilized? Maybe not. But it was how they lived and what more could you expect from a race dedicated to warring for just causes?

A glance up from the brawl had Vulpesen meeting the golden eyes of one grinning man who stood at the outskirts. Garlan, the head of his security force was giving him a nod. Whatever discussion Ra was having with the others was coming to a close and an accord was being struck. Time to make an exit. With one nod to the man, Vulpesen belted out once more as he threw his punches. "Come on! Y'all can do better than that! Lily livered pups! Show me wh-" His air left him in a rush of wind as a shoulder slammed into his chest. His feet lifted from the ground and he felt the air rush past him. He heard the hiss of an automatic door then felt the cold cobble of the street under his back as he was slammed down outside of the cantina.

For a moment he laid there, stunned as the victor rose their fists, basking in the praise of patrons who poked their heads out the door to cheer him. "Good job," the Valde wheezed, his voice lost to the sound of the cheers. Garlan for his part, simply inclined his head and offered his boss a wink and a whispered word.

"Any time, Boss."

Zarrah Vex Ra'a'mah Glitch Kinthal Serenai Vaelthith “Sera Vale” Kairi Shaltar