The Gateway

[handofthrawn]

ShadowFett said no more. He walked over to the tables that he had seen the Twi'lek called Kamino sitting. He sat down across from Kamino and signaled the waiter to bring him a drink.

 

"Hello, Kamino. Long time no see. What have you been up to?" he asked, friendily. He hadn't seen Kamino for quite a while, and last time he had the circumstances had been quite different.

 

Fett remembered how Kamino had reliably run all of the office work for the Black Sun. He had been very heavily appreciated, and after he left the other operatives had had to make due by using more of Piccolo's time for such transactions.

 

Simply put, Black Sun missed Kamino. But Fett was not here to re-recruit him, nor to pursuade him to join. He was here merely for a relaxing chat, seeing as he had nothing better to do.

[JaggedFelII]

Felling that Piccolo was angry at him for being late, Jag sighed. He felt relieved that he at least showed up, but at least he had time to do what he needed to do now.

 

He sat down in a secluded corner, and started meditating, focusing on refreshing his mind and focusing on his objectives in the near future.

[SithAcolyte]

Whilst still on coruscant Darla had pulled herself together and used all her charm to learn the co-ordinates of the planet know as Concord Dawn from a bounty hunter. It had eneded up costing her a couple of credits but she had no others leads to follow. She left coruscant and entered the co-ordinates into to her z-95s' navicomp.

 

I hope your still there Scando....and I hope you can help me....

[Kamino]

OOC: Holy Crap! There have been a LOT of things happen in this thread the past few days...

 

Kamino watched as Drake abruptly slid out of the booth, stood up, and walked away. WTF?

 

Kamino, however, simply shrugged of Vortex's pre-emptive departure. Probably a good reason for being so rude.

 

For the next few minuates, the Green Twi'lek sat in his discreet little booth in the smokey cantina. He though about the galaxy, his role in it, his future....

 

Kamino's thoughts were suddenly interupted with glee! Was that? No, couldn't be! But maybe....IT WAS! Kamino could barely believe his eyes. Of all the places in the Galaxy to be, he had picked this space station...and coquincidentaly, so had the old Black Sun gang. It was an amazing and welcomed suprise.

 

Kamino motioned for ShadowFett and some new recruit to sit down in the same space that had occupied Drake only minuates before. To the Twi'lek's delight, Fett ordered drinks for the table, how generous. Kamino was always willing to let someone else take his tab.

 

The smile on Kamino's face almost made his cheeks hurt. He recieved his drink, sipped it, and dived into conversation with one of the few friends he permitted himself to have.

 

"I, regretfully, haven't been up to anything for a long time. Its time I get my butt in gear. Its scary how clean my boots are...I haven't shuved them up someone's @$$ in an extremely extended period of time."

 

The three men (Kamino, ShadowFett, and the new guy) all shared a laugh...but afterwards, Kamino's tone grew very serious.

 

"I hear the Black Sun has fallen on hard times. If such rumors are true, then it is time for calculated action. I will no longer stand by while our faction is degraded, unrespected, and destroyed. With Picollo's leadership, we can be strong again....FEARED again!"

 

Their was a long silence, and then Kamino spoke again.

 

"In the meantime, would you mind me inquireing who the new recruit is?"

 

Kamino studied the rookie over. He seemed fit, and with some tuneing, he could become an awesome killing machine.

 

Kamino went on...

"Also, where is the great Piccolo? It has been a long time since I've seen the greatest leader of the greatest faction.

[handofthrawn]

ShadowFett smiled at Kamino's curiousity and good mood.

 

"Yes," he answered, "Black Sun has been through some hard times, but we have emerged stronger than ever."

 

He looked at the man seated beside him, "This is Jagged Fel the second. He is one of our newest recruits, an outstanding pilot, and extremely over confident."

 

He laughed with Kamino, but Jag sat, red with a bit of embarrasment.

 

"To answer your last question, Piccolo is here. I think he wanted to oversee the reconstruction of the fleet, but hasn't left yet," Fett paused bu added, "I think he misses your council, though he won't admit it outright."

[Kamino]

Kamino's reply was truthfull and from the heart.

 

Its very kind of you to say that ShadowFett....but when you're as smart as Piccolo, you don't need my council. The Black Sun doesn't need me, I need the BS!

 

For a moment, the green Twi'lek sat moitionless, reminising about his past experiances. His gaze drifted to far off, distand memories.

 

"Piccolo is a good man. He introduced me to the Black Sun, and for that, I will always be indebted to him. In fact, the first time I met him was in Whyl's lair. He was their with two subordinate operatives. I was their with bussiness of my own. Belive it or not, the two operatives attacked me, but luckily, Piccolo saved me....that was the begining of our friendship and of my destiny."

 

Kamino shook his head and snapped out of his little meditation. He returned his attention to Fett and Jag.

 

"So, want to let me in on any secrets? What has Pic' got planned to restore the Black Sun to its former glory?"

[handofthrawn]

ShadowFett would tell some, but not all of the secrets there were to be told, "Well, I can tell you a little. But only another operative would have access to some information. I will tell you that Piccolo has us here to ask Drake Vortex to help us rebuild the Citadel and the Fleet, and he accepted."

 

Fett paused for a moment, then continued in a low voice, "He says he has a plan of vengeance prepared, but the details he has not told even his top operative."

 

He sat back in his seat. He had come a long way since he had first met Piccolo. It had been at his start. he had embarked on a mission with Piccolo which ended up saving the galaxy and during it Fett had confronted and injured the infamous Rane Scando, surviving the battle himself. But after Smash Daisaku had died from a rare disease, the Black Sun was disliked...Piccolo had enemies that Smash didn't.

[Tea'dora]

She looked at Drake and smiled..."I'm Tea'dora, and you can't help me, but I can help you. I'm here for a job."

[Capt. Phillep]

Phillep drank the shot glass worth of Vodka and felt the warm rich liquid enter his body, savoring the sensation he managed a smile as he continued to fiddle with the plans of additions to the Imperial War Machine, the business of his voyage while in his other hand he held the drink, the pleasure.

 

Ordering yet another, this time a Brandy, he watched the fellow patrons as he contemplated the Tie Defender compliments and the X-1 Viper Automadon plans he carried in the datapad to compliment the new additions. Soon, the stagnation of the Imperial War Machine will end and with it the Rebel Alliance.

 

A smile etched itself across his face, not large but rather minute only noticeable to those who payed attention to the man in the shadows of the cantina, meanwhile, he drank and sat, awaiting Drake Vortex...

[Kase]

Kase piloted his ship gingerly toward the Gateway.

 

According to the chatter he had picked up over the subspace networks, this was the place to be to gather information and information is what he needed.

 

Putting the rusted out pile of barely space worthy metal down onto a landing pad Kase wandered out. He could still feel the rumble of the once powerful engines in his legs and gut. It was nice to to be on solid footing again.

 

Activating the locks and alarm Kase left the Firespray. As he pulled his black hood down over his forehead the blue Twi'lek made his way into the station.

 

It didn't take the force to tell him that he was hungry, so he wandered his way into a cantina.

[Capt. Phillep]

Only one other soul was as corrupt and dark as that of the dark-cloaked Twi'lek entering the cantina, by the robes, the Imperial Fleet Officer and Commander reasoned that it must be a Sith and managed to track him down by some rather unorthodox means as all Sith tend to do, that or simple dumb luck. Either way, he will do nicely...

 

Phillep's eyes matched those of the blue Twi'lek and a single thought, which he hoped to make the force user take notice of... Are you the Sith Bishop sent for the Imperial Dark Troopers?

 

Phillep still held the brandy as it glimmered in the low-lighting of the shadowy portion of the cantina.

[Drake Vortex]

OOC: Sorry Phillep, I'll get to you soon

 

IC: Drake smiled, "Really, and what kind of job might you be looking for in my corperation?"

[Piccolo]

Piccolo emerged from the shadows, he had planned to depart, when he had seen ShadowFett and Kamino speaking. He had only caught ShadowFett's last statement. It had been some time since he'd seen his old friend, and it brought him out of his bad mood. He took a seat.

 

"ShadowFett is right. I have a plan, and there will be some changes to the Black Sun soon. I can't reveal too much, but I will say everyone in the galaxy has been lied to. Smash never died, he merely retired."

 

Piccolo hoped they had gotten the hint.

 

"But enough about that. When do you plan to return to the Black Sun?"

[handofthrawn]

ShadowFett smiled under his mask at Piccolo's statement about Smash. He had suspected as much.

 

But he kept his mouth closed and tried not to think as much as listen to Kamino and Piccolo. He himself was about to ask Piccolo's question, though not as outright.

[JaggedFelII]

Jag raised his eyebrows at Piccolo's statement. But he quickly controlled his surprise.

 

Wonder where he is then? Jag thought.

 

Jag then relaxed and started to listen to Kamino and Piccolo's conversation.

[Capt. Phillep]

As Phillep waited for the Sith Lord to approach, he fiddled with his personal Comm and sent a highly encrypted Comm ordering fleet movements to the Charybdis.

 

-------Aboard the Charybdis-------

The Comm Officer received the Captain's orders and relayed them to the main fleet above Coruscant on a highly encrypted frequency

 

-------Back at The Gateway--------

Phillep still waited for Kase...

[Kase]

Kase sat next to the man, sensing that he was who the Twi'lek was seeking and knowing that the Force had indeed brought him to the proper place.

 

Kase ordered a drink casually and let the man conduct his business.

 

When the time was right Kase, keeping his voice low, asked, "When can I begin with the recruits?"

[Capt. Phillep]

Phillep eyed the man as he sat... Finally, some progress. He kept the thoughts deep within his mind, hiding them as much as possible.

 

"You can begin with the troops, as soon as you are ready. The initial force awaits you aboard the Charybdis, the rest are aboard the Tiamat. You've been granted a position equal to Commander and are allowed the secrets pertaining to your division as deemed neccessary by your direct superiors, me."

 

Phillep eyed the Twi'lek wondering if he revealed any expression in his face.

[Kamino]

Kamino contemplated Piccolo's question. It was frank, to the point, and had taken him by suprise. This was a big question....his answer would decide his destiny.

 

The green Twi'lek sipped his drink before responding.

 

"Now."

 

With that single word, Kamino had chosen his path....it wasn't a bad decision....in fact, Kamino was filled with a sudden rush of adrenaline and excitement. He had been re-awakend to a Black Sun Renissance! The Twi'lek downed his drink and stood up, full of excitement.

 

"Its time I get off my sorry butt. I am back in the BS....and I couldn't be happier!"

[Kase]

The Twi'lek remained stoic, looking through Phillep, seeing the anxiety and impatience the man clearly held.

 

Kase turned his concentration on the troopers, he saw them fighting a tremendous battle. Nothing could touch them.

 

"Send me the co-ordinates of your ship, this Charybdis. I wil begin the training when I arrive."

[Piccolo]

It appeared visibly as if a great weight had been lifted off Piccolo's shoulders. He felt much more secure with Kamino back. The bounty hunter grasped his Twi'lek friend's hand. Despite Piccolo's vow never to fully trust an ally again, he found himself doing just that.

 

"It's an honor to have you aboard again. The four of us will have to rebuild the Black Sun. If we work together, I think we can do it. But I fear all we can do now is weight for Mr. Vortex to come through."

 

And relying on someone else was something Piccolo always abhorred.

 

"Perhaps it's time we made our way back to the remainder of the Citadel. I want to observe the reconstruction."

[handofthrawn]

ShadowFett broke into a wide grin at Kamino's answer. Piccolo obviously trusted him, so Fett felt it safe to do so as well. His mask still held back his reaction from the others, so no one could really tell what he thought.

 

But he gave them a good idea, "Welcome back, Kamino."

 

Fett then listened to Piccolo's suggestion. He, too, had been slightly uncomftorable with just sitting around and waiting for Drake's operation to show some progress. But as a result of that waiting, Kamino had been brought back to the Black Sun.

 

"Well, I'm ready to leave as soon as you are. I think the Citadel could use some watching over anyway, if I know Ob Ordeena as well as I think," he said.

[JaggedFelII]

Jag smiled. Finally, some action. Now I get to see if my clawcraft made it out of there in one or two pieces. he thought.

 

"Great idea Piccolo. I would also like to get back to the Citadel. Mainly to see the reconstruction, but also to see if parts of my clawcraft survived. Because then I could probably rebuild it back to fighting condition. But, I want to see if Vortex is all that he is cracked up to be."

 

Jag smiled and stood from his seat, stretching and getting ready to leave.

[Piccolo]

Piccolo's R2 unit sent a communication to the bounty hunter. It had monitored something of interest on the Holonet.

 

"It seems ShadowFett won't be going with us. I have a mission for you."

 

Piccolo carefully inputed the detailed instructions onto a datapad, then handed it to the operative.

 

"This contains the details. Good luck, and don't fail, there is a hefty some of credits in this for us."

 

Piccolo heard Jag's comments,

 

"That's fine Jag. We'll head over their immediately. You and I can go in my ship. I'm sure your eager to get some field work, but I may need your aid if we run into trouble on Coruscant."

 

Piccolo walked with the others to the hangar.

 

"Kamino, if you don't have a ship contact the Black Sun Captain and the Armada will send one. I'll see you there."

 

The Howling Runner headed for Coruscant.

[Capt. Phillep]

Phillep eyed the Sith, a smile etched itself across his face, "My Charybdis is orbiting the planet as we speak. Here are the Access Codes, just issue them on that encrypted frequency, and the officers will direct you to its hangar bay via tractor beam."

 

Phillep's facial expression relaxed, "Well, Sith Lord, is there anything else?"

[Malvagio]

--- Comm. To Captain Phillep:

 

 

This is Malvagio, talker for the Dark Lord of the Sith. If the Empire so wishes, they can return to pick up their equipment on Arbra. We are almost finished with it. Though I realize you have other matters to attend to, we have become concerned that the rebels know of our location. An accomplice was kind enough to inform us that he logged our plans for activity on Arbra on the Byss computers. Though this is only a short-term problem, it is an immediate one. If you would, the Bishop would appreciate temporary support in defending the planet from rebel forces. This could be done in escort to re-attaining your equipment. We shall be leaving, as well, once you have collected it. I apologize for the rather sudden request, but please respond with haste.

 

 

--- End Comm.

[handofthrawn]

ShadowFett took the datapad and began to read it. There was some good credits in this. He would have to move quickly though.

 

He boarded the Night of Vengeance, nodding a slight goodbye to the other operatives. The ship blasted off into space and entered hypersapce en route for the Last Call on Coruscant.

[Jidai Geki]

*Geki's ship re-enters realspace a short distance from the hulking station. He goes through the appropriate procedures for docking at the Gateway, and manoeuvres his ship into the allocated docking bay. He pays his fees and strolls through the entertainment district of the station, stopping at a small cantina. Geki orders a unique and seldom requested speciality, a tall, chilled glass of spiced Bantha blood. He sits, sipping his drink, and awaits his contact.*

[Capt. Phillep]

Phillep responded to the Comm with a slight roll of his eyes, "Your Order is prone to too many problems."

 

As Phillep sent a Comm to the Imperial Fleet orbiting Coruscant, he ordered a new series of Orders, performed immediately.

[Tea'dora]

Tea'dora smiled at him..."I am more the a decent mechanic...here are my credentials." She handed him the papers, and as he took them, she softly touched his hand. "As you can see, I am very good with putting things together."