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A Deadly Waltz: The Conflict of Greed
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| Rath-Deschain | Date: Saturday, 21 Nov 2009, 4:06 PM | Message # 1 |
 Colonel general
Group: Users
Messages: 857
Status: Offline
| ][ Nar Shaddaa - Y'Toub System - Hutt Space - Mid Rim ][ The darkness of the undercity was nearly total where the ship rested, dimly lit by the low power mode. With its transponders off, there was no signal marking it as anything but an abandoned piece of machinery. After all, the Undying Vengeance had been recorded as leaving the system. This craft had snuck in on the back of a barge, almost in the manner Han Solo had once evaded a Star Destroyer. Inside the planet's shields, it had quietly reactivated and sunk down to the lowest depths of Nar Shaddaa. From here, the being at the controls would send the message he intended to get out. It wasn't a long conversation, but it was a necessary one. The message encryption was a tightwave broadcast, the signal already preset so as not to be intercepted easily. If anything, the message was quite garbled to anyone not possessing the correct transmitter. This particular unit made it useless for broad-scale communications, but for a one-on-one basis, it was perfect. Received messages were equally encrypted by the same unit. From the darkness of the cockpit, Atropos looked down, waiting for Njon the Hutt to pick up the phone, so to speak. It was going to be an interesting conversation.
Rath Deschain
High Inquisitor
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| Paul-Gemmell | Date: Saturday, 21 Nov 2009, 4:20 PM | Message # 2 |
 Major
Group: Users
Messages: 88
Status: Offline
| Paul Oriel was flying along in his A-Wing when he saw the outline of Cales fighter, turning on the holo "Hello there drasek! whatre you doing hiding there? Are you sure you arent feeling a bit depressed? No leads on the slaving ring unfortunately so I thought id come find you" he gave Cale a wide smile. He flicked off the communicator to Cale for a moment and spoke to his droid "H8, Transmit to Master Skywalker that Cale is acting odd and hiding in the undercity of Nar Shadda, perhaps he is feeling alone. Im going to try and talk to him" "I lost you back there! Good thing I sensed your presence, but I noticed the records said you left the planet? What gives? Also, I brought some muffins." he held a muffin up so the holo-camera could see it.
Paul Gemmell
Lieutenant, IntCon, Internal Organization Bureau, Imperial Intelligence
Poet
Player of Lutes
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| Rath-Deschain | Date: Saturday, 21 Nov 2009, 4:40 PM | Message # 3 |
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Colonel general
Group: Users
Messages: 857
Status: Offline
| [Check the OOC board please] Added (21 Nov 2009, 5:40 Pm)
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Unlike the annoying cheerful Jedi Knight, Atropos did not switch on his holocam in turn. It was an odd moment, separating different identity from different identity. Atropos and Cale were, after all, two completely different people sharing the same body. It was an odd mix, so to speak, but this moment required Drasek Cale and not Atropos. A few minutes later, the gear that belonged to Atropos were safely stowed in their container and Cale was relaxing behind the controls. The viewports were heavily shaded, as well as having a blast shield in place, so there was no odds of him looking in. He had sensed Cale's presence, which was a relief as well. When he responded, it was with voice only and not holocam, and there was no shortage of annoyance. "Damnit, Paul, I'm doing my own investigation at the moment, and you're getting in the way. If I have a bounty on my head, I prefer to do my own legwork than let the Baltimn Security Forces deal with it for me. You flitting about in a craft that screams New Republic isn't helping. No, I don't want a muffin, I don't want waffles, and I don't need assistance. Let me handle things on my own here. This isn't the Jedi Order, it's a personal investigation and you're doing a great job of utterly blowing my cover and secrecy. I'm going to have to find a new spot to start from again. This one isn't safe." Grunting in annoyance, he powered up the ship, engaging shield first thing and then the engines.
Rath Deschain
High Inquisitor
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| Paul-Gemmell | Date: Saturday, 21 Nov 2009, 4:47 PM | Message # 4 |
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Major
Group: Users
Messages: 88
Status: Offline
| "Whatcha doing thats secret? Maybe I can help?" he gave a smile "Two young guys, together solving a crime, itl be fabulous. But I dont think this is the best place to hide, its a bit shady. Anyway, if you dont get waffles, how about we take it up to the big game and go get burritos and a beer? I know a lovely place that does them." He thought for a moment, considering how Cale's force signature changed, registering both "Why did you do something weird with the force then? I feel like you must be pretending to someone else, why are you doing that?" he chuckled at the Baltimn security forces comment "Yeah, I done blame you, I hear the Baltimn SF are pretty awful! Anyway, how about the burritos?". He stopped transmitting for a second to transmit another message. "H8, Tell Master Skywalker Cale seems to be pretending to be someone else and hiding here. I guess he must be really depressed and unhappy with himself, im going to offer to take him out for a beer."
Paul Gemmell
Lieutenant, IntCon, Internal Organization Bureau, Imperial Intelligence
Poet
Player of Lutes
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| Rath-Deschain | Date: Saturday, 21 Nov 2009, 4:53 PM | Message # 5 |
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Colonel general
Group: Users
Messages: 857
Status: Offline
| So, that was what it was down to, then. The young Jedi had made no effort to hide his open communications to the Jedi Order. With his own vessel's systems on, it was easy enough to tap into messages that were unsecured around the immediate area. Of course, they could hardly prove anything. Not with his and Oriel's conversation likely recorded by Cale's own data spool and Oriel's as well, if he had one in the A-wing. "It's not your personal business either, Paul. It's mine. No beer, no burritos. And it makes sense to pretend to be someone else when you have an eight million credit bounty placed on your head, Paul. Only an idiot goes around flaunting his true self at a time like that. I do not happen to be an idiot, Paul, so it seems wise to disguise myself as someone else. I doubt you've spent much time with a bounty on your head, so I won't expect you to know. "But, as I said, no burrito. No beer. Let me be to do my own investigation. Last I checked, this is a free world, which means I can still do that by all signs of the law."
Rath Deschain
High Inquisitor
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| Paul-Gemmell | Date: Saturday, 21 Nov 2009, 4:55 PM | Message # 6 |
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Major
Group: Users
Messages: 88
Status: Offline
| "Wow Drasek, you must be really depressed, Im so sorry. Perhaps you just need someone to listen to? A shoulder to cry on." he took his small lute from where it was stowed behind his head and began to play a tune, after he finished he spoke again "Did that make you feel more relaxed?"
Paul Gemmell
Lieutenant, IntCon, Internal Organization Bureau, Imperial Intelligence
Poet
Player of Lutes
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| Rath-Deschain | Date: Saturday, 21 Nov 2009, 4:59 PM | Message # 7 |
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Colonel general
Group: Users
Messages: 857
Status: Offline
| With a sigh, Cale shook his head, resisting the urge to pound it against the seat cushion. No, he couldn't kill a Jedi Knight, especially one who had already marked him to the Order. At least not yet. Oh, it was tempting at times though, very tempting. Closing his eyes briefly, Cale rubbed his fingertips against his temples, getting himself back to a relatively peaceful state. "No Paul, it didn't. It's starting to get a bit annoying, to be honest. I can't carry on an investigation with you yammering in my ear. If you continue to do it, I'll contact your superiors in the Order and let them know you are interfering with an investigation that could threaten the life of a royal person. I don't want any black marks on your record Paul, but you're a bit too young to handle this with the same level of professionalism that I'd need. Go back to hunting your slavers down and leave me to my business please."
Rath Deschain
High Inquisitor
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| Paul-Gemmell | Date: Saturday, 21 Nov 2009, 5:02 PM | Message # 8 |
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Major
Group: Users
Messages: 88
Status: Offline
| "I hope you liked the music, il just hover around here keeping inconspicuous and not cause any trouble, but il give you some backup should you need it old friend!" He began to play another tune over the communicator, a more meloncholy tune to soothe Draseks pain and stress. "Is there anything youd like to tell me about Drasek?" he said after he finished in a friendly tone.
Paul Gemmell
Lieutenant, IntCon, Internal Organization Bureau, Imperial Intelligence
Poet
Player of Lutes
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| Rath-Deschain | Date: Saturday, 21 Nov 2009, 5:09 PM | Message # 9 |
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Colonel general
Group: Users
Messages: 857
Status: Offline
| Gritting his teeth, Cale finally did pound his head a few times against the back of the headrest. Did the man not get the hint? No, he couldn't be that dense. It was nearly impossible for anyone to be as dense as this man was pretending to be. Perhaps Cale had gotten out of the Order at a good time. Their members were definitely going down in the intelligence bracket. "Paul, enough music. No more music. I don't want backup and I don't need backup. You hovering about is messing with a Baltimn affair and that is a breach of Baltimn's neutrality unless I'm wrong. I also know you're not the person I'd go to even if I did have a problem. Hell, Paul! you already know my problem! There is an eight million credit bounty on my head! I think I have the right to be a bit concerned! Now get the hell out of here! Get the point at all? Scoot! Vanish! Go find someone else to pester who isn't in the middle of an investigation!"
Rath Deschain
High Inquisitor
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| Paul-Gemmell | Date: Saturday, 21 Nov 2009, 5:17 PM | Message # 10 |
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Major
Group: Users
Messages: 88
Status: Offline
| "I guess my music wasnt very investagatory." He put the lute in a different position and began to play it like a violin with the force playing a gentle tune, H8 adding the extra backing music, after a few minutes he finished his recital "Did you like that Drasek? Im thinking about going professional with it" H8 beeped with protest "Dont worry H8, you can come along too!" he beeped adorably with happiness "Id never leave a friend behind, and thats why im here for you Drasek, il be up here, let me know if you need me!"
Paul Gemmell
Lieutenant, IntCon, Internal Organization Bureau, Imperial Intelligence
Poet
Player of Lutes
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| Rath-Deschain | Date: Saturday, 21 Nov 2009, 5:27 PM | Message # 11 |
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Colonel general
Group: Users
Messages: 857
Status: Offline
| Enough was enough. No more music. No more troublesome Jedi. Engaging the engines and microthrusters, Cale kicked the craft practically on its base and shot upwards. The Undying Vengeance was inferior in speed and acceleration to Oriel's A-wing, but Cale had been flying longer likely than Paul had been alive. He had a few tricks up his sleeves for losing annoying, tailing pilots. Even as he shot straight up towards the traffic lanes of Nar Shaddaa, he sent a final message back. "I have no friends in the Order, Paul. Stay clear of my investigation." If he couldn't lose his little ball and chain on the ground in the depths, then he would lose him among the thousands of speeders and atmospheric craft. At least here, of all places, an ambush wasn't likely, especially at such high speeds.
Rath Deschain
High Inquisitor
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| Paul-Gemmell | Date: Sunday, 22 Nov 2009, 9:59 AM | Message # 12 |
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Major
Group: Users
Messages: 88
Status: Offline
| Paul happily kept up, skimming his fighter around so it appeared to dis-appear and then re-appear again after a few seconds. "So Drasek Cale, I think we should have a little bit of music, H8, you take over the controls and keep up" H8 did so while Paul continued on his lute playing an intense tune. "You do have friends in the order. I am your friend Drasek, we all care for you and miss you! Youve had such a hard time and we are worried. I think we should be best friends, how about it bestie?"
Paul Gemmell
Lieutenant, IntCon, Internal Organization Bureau, Imperial Intelligence
Poet
Player of Lutes
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| Rath-Deschain | Date: Sunday, 22 Nov 2009, 10:08 AM | Message # 13 |
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Colonel general
Group: Users
Messages: 857
Status: Offline
| Realizing that there was no easy way (short of killing him) to get the annoying little Jedi off his back, Cale slowed his craft down to a more manageable pace as it hovered just within the atmosphere of Nar Shaddaa. Rubbing a hand over his brow, he sat back to consider things. There were times such as these that reinforced some of the reasons he left the Order. "Paul, look, if I go have some waffles with you... will you agree to leave me alone and let me do my investigation? Please? I'm asking as nicely as I can. I don't care about the Order. I left it. That chapter of my life is closed. For right now, will some waffles give you enough of a chance to catch up so I can do what needs to be done?"
Rath Deschain
High Inquisitor
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| Paul-Gemmell | Date: Sunday, 22 Nov 2009, 10:11 AM | Message # 14 |
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Major
Group: Users
Messages: 88
Status: Offline
| Paul smiled "I knew you would come around, lets go to the Inter-galactic House of Pancakes just north of here". He kept following Drasek closely. "And they do all sorts of tasty food! And I can give you these muffins I baked, and H8 did a drawing for you! Its going to be such fun, then we can go see a movie and get a beer. Its going to be just great! Im so glad you want to hang out besty!"
Paul Gemmell
Lieutenant, IntCon, Internal Organization Bureau, Imperial Intelligence
Poet
Player of Lutes
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| Rath-Deschain | Date: Thursday, 26 Nov 2009, 10:23 PM | Message # 15 |
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Colonel general
Group: Users
Messages: 857
Status: Offline
| Shaking his had again, Cale sighed. He had the feeling he'd be sighing a lot over the next hour or two. How the hell was he supposed to be able to get ahold of Njon if this kid didn't get off his back? Well, remaining calm was the first thing. Anger wasn't going to solve this problem. No, anger would just suffice to bring the kid around more. Ah, well. It couldn't necessarily be helped in this case. "Ah... no offense Paul, but I've never been too big on muffins. Thank you just the same though. I've also never been much of a drinker. If you want a beer, you're more than welcome to drink it. As for the movie... well, I may have to take a raincheck. Like I said, I'm willing to have some waffles with you, but after that, I need to get back to my investigation. Sound fair?" Added (26 Nov 2009, 11:23 Pm)
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The waffles hadn't been bad. Cale could admit that much. Hell, there was a lot he could probably admit but wouldn't. Thankfully, Paul had been content to accept the waffles and let things be. It seemed that some of his leads on the slaving ring had paid off. For now, Cale was alone. That was good, though. It gave him time to think, despite the fact that he was surrounded by countless other beings. The galaxy was rotting away quicker these days, it seemed. Voss had to complete his section quickly so that Cale could move on. Odds of meeting with Njon the Hutt seemed few and far between now, which cut back his options slightly. Perhaps he would have to take a more direct hand. Perhaps it was time for things to move into the next phase of his operations.
Rath Deschain
High Inquisitor
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