Karvis
The Karvis Rebellion => The Rebel Alliance => Topic started by: GM Craig on April 16, 2016, 12:40:53 AM
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It is almost two weeks to Kashyyyk from Horuz.
On the old Consular ship, things are quiet. The mostly stocked medical bay, and Collan's care, helps everyone get back to their full strength. Keshani rigs up a scanner to detect her implant, and locates it in her back between her shoulder blades. It is just sub-dermal - only a small incision is required. There is some tense discussion, but eventually Keshani let's Collan remove it. It is not quite painless, but the relief she feels when he hands it to her and lets her crush it under her boot more than makes up for it.
During the course of the trip, Collan learns that the old blind man is Rahm Kota, former Jedi Master and a General in the Clone Wars. He and Bail Organa appear to be particular friends.
On the Rogue Shadow, PROXY has some very good medical programming. Niil and Trax are up and around after about a week, but Nim stays in the tank for a while. Danny is up as well, but she is shy and reclusive. Other than asking where Keshani is, she keeps to herself. Juno stays in the cockpit around the clock, with the door sealed, so the two men are left on their own.
It is during this time that Niil finds, quite by accident, an occupied stasis pod. Closer examination revealed the body of Mariah, preserved in stasis. It is clear she is quite dead.
Eventually, even Nim comes out of the bacta, but some some reason she stays in the medical bay, and refuses visitors.
Eventually, both ships drop out of hyperspace. Bail Organa comes on the comlink. "Rogue Shadow, follow us. There's a safe spot where we can meet."
About an hour later, the ships touch down in a largely clear zone in the middle of Kashyyyk's great forest. There are ruins nearby - it looks like some sort of single family settlement, long abandoned and burned. The sun is setting as both groups are reunited. Everyone seems hale and healthy, with the exception of Nim who looks like death warmed over. Despite the warm temperature, she is wrapped in a heavy blanked, but sweating heavily. Her speech is slurred, and she walks unsteadily, often stopping to brace herself.
Danny, looking shy and nervous, steps off the ship behind the others.
Coming down the low rise that leads to the main building, you see a woman dressed in white with long, dark hair. She runs up to Bail Ograna and they embrace and kiss. He refers to her as Leia.
No one on either vessel has seen Maris since you left the Death Star.
[Pausing her for reactions. Maybe have private conversations in your scratchpads / public conversations here? You have about 15 minutes as the senators catch Leia up on everything that happened. After that, the senators head up the hill to finish what they started on Corellia.]
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[ooc: what abour Rand and the other guy that works foe Bel Iblis]
Collan first approached Juno. Her loss was perhaps the greatest of all. She would be in a great deal of pain.
"Juno," he said gravely, "I'm so sorry. You should talk to General Kota but I think Galen did precisely what he wanted."
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[OOC: Thanks, I forgot about them in all the excitement. They stayed on board the consular ship. Rand is still not mobile - she'll need implants if she's ever going to walk again. Wyrren spent a lot of private time with Bel-Iblis.
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Keshani followed the others out of the ship, still feeling out of sorts and very uncertain of what was going on. She was drawn toward Danny - the two outcasts in a sea of people.
Her eyes, however, were drawn in the direction of Trax. She hadn't seen him, Nim or Niil since they had split up on the two different ships and as much as she wanted to pretend that she didn't care about anyone or what they thought of her, she knew it wasn't true. As much as she wanted to pretend that she could just go off in the galaxy by herself now that she was free and be answerable to no one but herself, she knew there was some sort of longing inside of her to BE part of a group; to HAVE someone who cared about her. If they would have her...
But there was also the thing that she couldn't shake the feeling that she would be expected to provide some sort of "payment", for want of a better word, in return for having rescued her and for allowing her to stay with them. People just didn't do things for free; out of the "kindness of their hearts". It just didn't happen.
And there was this comparison between her and some other girl named Mariah....
She was sure that if she stayed with this group that at some point, probably sooner rather than later, they would realize that she was NOT this other girl, that she was a disappointment, and that she wasn't worth their time...
And so she stood, a bit aloof from the others, and just observed and waited.....
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"Juno," he said gravely, "I'm so sorry. You should talk to General Kota but I think Galen did precisely what he wanted."
She looks at you, and there is a flash of anger in her eyes, though she masks it quickly. "Thank you," she says tersely, and moves away.
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Keshani followed the others out of the ship, still feeling out of sorts and very uncertain of what was going on. She was drawn toward Danny - the two outcasts in a sea of people.
Her eyes, however, were drawn in the direction of Trax. She hadn't seen him, Nim or Niil since they had split up on the two different ships and as much as she wanted to pretend that she didn't care about anyone or what they thought of her, she knew it wasn't true. As much as she wanted to pretend that she could just go off in the galaxy by herself now that she was free and be answerable to no one but herself, she knew there was some sort of longing inside of her to BE part of a group; to HAVE someone who cared about her. If they would have her...
But there was also the thing that she couldn't shake the feeling that she would be expected to provide some sort of "payment", for want of a better word, in return for having rescued her and for allowing her to stay with them. People just didn't do things for free; out of the "kindness of their hearts". It just didn't happen.
And there was this comparison between her and some other girl named Mariah....
She was sure that if she stayed with this group that at some point, probably sooner rather than later, they would realize that she was NOT this other girl, that she was a disappointment, and that she wasn't worth their time...
And so she stood, a bit aloof from the others, and just observed and waited.....
Danny's eyes fall on Keshani, and the former Imperial makes her way over.
She stands beside Keshani and looks at the others. Quietly she says, "Thank you. I would be dead by now if you hadn't..." Her voice breaks.
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Collan shook his head. A lot of pain. He realized that his words were easily misinterpreted saying that Galen chose to die instead of be with you. A Jedi serves a higher cause. Ch'lana's caution about sacrifice loomed large in his mind. Collan knew why Galen had chosen his path. It was the way of a Jedi Knight.
He sought out Kota. He had a need as well. Inigo Rostiern would be coming for him; his actions on the station had advanced that timeline considerably. Collan needed a teacher. So did Niil, whom Collan snagged.
"General Kota. We need to speak with you," Collan said.
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Rahm Kota holds up his hand, turning his bandaged eyes toward you. "Yes, I feel the questions burning within you. But the answers you seek must necessarily be part of a larger discussion, and that will have to wait. I ask your patience for a time."
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Collan nodded. Patience was a virtue and they had plenty of time.
"Of course, General, but when you deem the time right, you might want to talk to Juno. I get the feeling she's in an incredible amount of pain right now."
Collan offered the general a formal bow and turned to Niil. It was time for the conversation he had been dreading; Trax.
"Niil...you know I have to talk to Trax, right?"
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Niil nodded, his face etched with weariness. Back on the Death Star, he had known something was amiss when he'd heard Nim yell out, "For Mariah!", but had been too preoccupied with fighting the Inquisitor to dwell on it much. Seeing her body in the stasis pod, though . . . it had felt like a strong man had driven a full-force punch to Niil's midriff. He had sat next to the stasis pod and had remained there for hours.
"Yeah, you do. Don't worry; I'll provide backup. Besides, he's had time to think about all that went down, and Nim is a Lorrdian. She probably saw that you were trying to pull a bluff. Collan . . . you know about Mariah, right?"
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Keshani followed the others out of the ship, still feeling out of sorts and very uncertain of what was going on. She was drawn toward Danny - the two outcasts in a sea of people.
Her eyes, however, were drawn in the direction of Trax. She hadn't seen him, Nim or Niil since they had split up on the two different ships and as much as she wanted to pretend that she didn't care about anyone or what they thought of her, she knew it wasn't true. As much as she wanted to pretend that she could just go off in the galaxy by herself now that she was free and be answerable to no one but herself, she knew there was some sort of longing inside of her to BE part of a group; to HAVE someone who cared about her. If they would have her...
But there was also the thing that she couldn't shake the feeling that she would be expected to provide some sort of "payment", for want of a better word, in return for having rescued her and for allowing her to stay with them. People just didn't do things for free; out of the "kindness of their hearts". It just didn't happen.
And there was this comparison between her and some other girl named Mariah....
She was sure that if she stayed with this group that at some point, probably sooner rather than later, they would realize that she was NOT this other girl, that she was a disappointment, and that she wasn't worth their time...
And so she stood, a bit aloof from the others, and just observed and waited.....
Danny's eyes fall on Keshani, and the former Imperial makes her way over.
She stands beside Keshani and looks at the others. Quietly she says, "Thank you. I would be dead by now if you hadn't..." Her voice breaks.
She couldn't help but smile a bit as Danny came up to stand beside her. It was a tentative smile, but it was still a smile. It felt...strange.
Gods, when was the last time I had reason to smile?
She took the older girl's hand and squeezed it.
"And I would be worse than dead if you hadn't rescued ME."
She turned toward Danny and studied her carefully, trying to convince herself that she was actually ok.
"I'm glad we are both okay. Do you know what you'll do now?"
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She couldn't help but smile a bit as Danny came up to stand beside her. It was a tentative smile, but it was still a smile. It felt...strange.
Gods, when was the last time I had reason to smile?
She took the older girl's hand and squeezed it.
"And I would be worse than dead if you hadn't rescued ME."
She turned toward Danny and studied her carefully, trying to convince herself that she was actually ok.
"I'm glad we are both okay. Do you know what you'll do now?"
She squeezes your hand back and sighs. "For years I knew exactly what my life was going to be. My path was laid out before me, straight as an arrow. Now, I have no idea. The Imperial Military has been part of my life for so long, I don't know how to live without it."
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Kesh looked down at the ground at her words. "This is all my fault..."
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Danny turns to Keshani, and forces her to face her. "Yes. Your fault for making me realize we were treating people like animals. That I was working for an Empire that thought it was right and just to make slaves out of young women. Your fault for teaching me that even a slave can show compassion to their oppressors when I had been taught that slaves were less than human. Your fault for opening my eyes and letting me see what I was working for - what I was becoming. And your fault for freeing me from being part of the machinery of tyranny. For making me realize how terrible the things I had done actually were."
She reaches out and grabs Keshani in a hug (willing or no). "You saved me. You owe me no apology. I should be apologizing to you, now and forever, for being part of the thing that made you a slave."
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Kesh resisted the hug at first, but then returned it tightly.
She didn't say anything as the two stood there, tears silently welling up in her eyes. She moved to wipe them away.
"You could stay with us..."
She blinked as she realized what she had said. "Us". Was this group really her home now? Would they want her to stay? Did she WANT to stay? Her stomach felt a bit queasy at the thought. She wasn't quite sure yet what her decision would be....
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Danny pulls back, but keeps her arms on Keshani's elbows.
"I don't know. I was part of what they want to fight against - how could they ever trust me?"
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"I don't know, but you could hang around and see...they DID help rescue you...."
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She laughs, nervously. "They did at that. Well, I will see then." She releases the embrace and stands back, looking at you. "What about you? You are free now - can do anything you want."
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Collan said to Niil warily, something in his gut noticing something was badly off.
"No...what about Mariah?"
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She laughs, nervously. "They did at that. Well, I will see then." She releases the embrace and stands back, looking at you. "What about you? You are free now - can do anything you want."
"I'm not sure....I....promised them I would wait to decide. "
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"I'm not sure....I....promised them I would wait to decide. "
Danny nods. "Then we both will."
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Niil sighed, and rubbed his forehead. "She went with Trax and Nim on that mission to Corellia. She . . . didn't make it, Collan. You, umm, remember that stasis pod that they had on board Juno's ship? Yeah . . . that was her."
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Collan stopped in his tracks. Mariah's face flashed before him. His breathing turned ragged and shallow; he knees weakened and he had to brace against Niil for a second. Mariah had been one of the first beings he met in the Resistance.
"Oh...damn," was all he could weakly manage. No wonder Trax was all twisted up inside. He loved Mariah like a kid sister. And...Keshani looked a lot like Mariah. No wonder...
Collan straightened himself. Mariah was gone. Few remained of who had known in the Resistance.
"Yeah...I need to talk to Trax. Let's go," he said. Trax was with Nim so this would be easy. Collan let the Force flow through him. The big man would probably want a swing so Collan prepared himself to take it.
Approaching him, Collan said, "I'm sorry, Trax."
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OOC: Might want to hold off a bit on this one. Niil will likely talk to Trax on board the Rogue Shadow about Collan's deception attempt.
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[OOC: Okay, seeing as the Rogue Shadow stuff will likely go on for longer than expected I'll post using some middle ground.]
Trax was at Nim's side as they exited the shuttle. The man's first instinct was to glance around for threats despite the apparent calm of the situation. Satisfied he began to look over everyone that was gathered. He recognized the woman with the long dark hair from the image that PROXY had been projecting, now he also had a name to the face. And a pretty face at that.
Next Trax saw Doha and he gave a nod of greeting to the man. Further behind him he noticed Keshani, and watched as she and the imperial girl spoke briefly before hugging. Keshani was looking significantly healthier, which made him smile.
Then his eyes fell on Collan and the smile quickly disappeared. Trax still hadn't decided what to do about him, putting some plasma through his skull seemed as good an idea as any.
"Here's my problem," he began, about to show a surprising amount of openness.
"Either you were lying about who you were on the station, who you were before we ended up on the station, or a mix of both and you're still lying. I haven't entirely worked out which, but when I do, I'll either look you in the eye and accept your apology or I'll look you in the eye and put a bolt of plasma through your skull. Sound fair enough?"
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Niil's eyes narrowed at Trax's statement, then muttered, "Show him what they did to you, Collan."
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Collan nodded.
"I'd expect no less, Trax. I don't how much you've talked to Nim but if she saw me then she'll know. Niil likely knows as well. As does General Kota."
"I had to make a choice right then and there. I didn't see Nightshare or Nim. But, I knew if I could get their full and complete attention, at the very least they forget about two missing beings because they were scared of what I might be. I'd hoped they'd turn everything back on so Nim could slice the defenses."
"There was a significant truth in there. My father serves the Emperor. The Seer we rescued in part chose not to teach me anything because doing so would draw my father out. I'm going to pay a price for that lie. But I could never work for my father...I saw him behead my uncle...his own brother and he probably killed my mother as well."
Collan rolled back his sleeves.
"The guards took me before the Emperor," Collan shuddered, "I'd never felt such fear...he's strong Trax. A Sith for sure. Malignance just radiated off him. My knees...they just gave out. I could barely control myself. He saw through everything. I know he was in my head and could feel how the Dark Side was trying to tempt me."
Collan smiled, "I tried to keep his attention on me personally for as long as I could. But he grew bored and activated the pain cuffs."
The red welts were fading but were still there as Collan held up his wrists, adding, "And then he took me to be tortured," Collan showed him the fading welts on his temples.
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Trax looked at Collan's injuries but the look on his face and tone of his voice were still completely impassive.
"Tortured you in an attempt to accomplish what?"
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"To force me into despair, fear, anger. To make me feel hatred. Ultimately, to turn me to the Dark Side," Collan replied.
"Or kill me. Whichever came first," he appended.
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Nim didn?t add anything to the conversation but she did sneeze. That was her contribution. Only a day and half out of bacta she still smelled and looked terrible, and terribly out of place with a giant blanket wrapped and tucked around her as she sweat profusely. It would have been embarrassing if Nim gave much of a kark.
She leaned heavily on Trax and looked around with dark visors and squinted as if the light physically hurt. The woman noticed Wyrren and, despite everything wrong with herself, felt a pang of sadness as she noticed Rand wasn?t with him. She knew she wouldn?t be, but it struck her anyway.
The conversation grew louder and Nim winced, shoving one ear into Trax?s arm and pulling the blanket over the other. Finally she opened her mouth but her words were very slurred - yet slightly better than the incomprehensible ones the day before. They resembled something close to ?...couldn?t lie his way out of...paper bag.?
Then she followed up with, ?Knew he was...goner...goin? to see Palpy.?
Then she coughed and sniffled and refused to look at anyone.
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Nim had looked bad but she sounded worse. If not for the visor...bacta didn't do that did it?
Collan voice held a lot of concern, "Hell, Nim...did the bacta do this?"
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Oh, crap. Niil mentally winced and shot Collan a warning glance, but he suspected it was too late.
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It took a moment to process what Collan said and though the woman usually would have retorted something more biting, her heart just wasn?t in it. The lack of spark was depressing.
?Rodian.. flu. Allergic.. Jedi. Pick.?
The flu was clearly a lie, but she wasn't capable of masking it properly right now, which was aggravating.
?I'm cold,? Nim then said to Trax, almost accusatory, standing there and shivering in warm weather with snot dripping from her nose. Proxy had ordered her on her feet and out in the sun but it didn't seem to be accomplishing anything. She started to look a bit agitated and anxious, looking backwards.
?Wanna.. go back,? she muttered, indicating the ship without gesturing. Whatever words came after that was unintelligible. Not whispered, just slurred and not well formed as if lacking concentration.
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Collan gave Nim a look of sympathy. He wasn't Lorddian or a fully trained Jedi but he could parse when beings, humans at lesst, clearly lie. Hlshe must be in incredible distress for whatever reason. She also seemed to be unable to communicate or concentrate well.
"Trax...is she gonna going to be okay out here?" It was a topic change but Nim was very clearly hurting bad and Collan felt bad for her.
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"Out here or in there," he indicated the shuttle, "makes no difference." he replied coldy to Collan.
"There's probably somewhere more comfortable inside the building." he said softly to Nim as he began to lead her away. It was a good opportunity for him to get away from the young man.
"To force me into despair, fear, anger. To make me feel hatred. Ultimately, to turn me to the Dark Side.
Or kill me. Whichever came first."
Collan had said.
Well, you're not dead. Is that because the other option came first?
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"Trax...I'm sorry...about Mariah," there was a catch in voice and Collan did his best to hide it, "I know you two were close."
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Trax's whole body visibly tensed when Collan said Mariah's name. It was if he had just coiled up like a snake and was about to strike. But then the tension just let go and the man seemed almost smaller.
"So am I." he replied without looking back.
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Collan was having a hard time controlling his emotions and Trax clearly was in pain over her death and it was clear he was hostile towards Collan.
"I...uh...I owe her a goodbye," Collan's voice caught on that last word and cracked a little. He walked up the boarding ramp to the Rogue Shadow. He tried to breathe away what he was feeling but it was hard. Mariah had been the second being he'd met in the Resistance and for a time he'd liked her a lot.
It didn't take long to find the stasis pod she was in.
"Oh...damn...Mariah..." Her face brought unwilling tears to Collan's eyes. Mariah was gone; a friend lost. Yeah...Collan didn't think he had it in him to cry or at least be able to control his feelings.
So, Collan let himself feel the pain and sadness. The loss hurt, but there was a tragic peacefulness to her face too. He wiped the tears on his sleeve with a little snot going with it.
"May you find rest in the Force Mariah..." That had been hard to say bringing some fresh tears that Collan had to wipe away. Damn this is hard, he thought.
He walked back out...not sure how he looked but trying to compose himself. His eyes were red and his cheeks still had wet tracks reflecting jungle light.
[ooc: I'm ready to move on when everyone else is]
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Doha emerges from CH'alan's ship, wheeling Siobhan Rand in a hoverchair. She looks well, considering.
After a few minutes, Senator Organa steps forward. "If I might have everyone's attention?"
As everyone gathers, the Senator speaks. "Perhaps some introductions are in order." He runs through the group.
Senator Bail Organa, of Alderaan.
Senator Garm Bel-Iblis of Coruscant.
Senator Mon Mothma, of Chandrilla
Princess Leia Organa, of Alderaan, Bail's daughter.
Rahm Kota, former General of the Republic, and Jedi Master
The rest of you make introductions as well. Those of you who care note that Maris is no where to be seen.
Bail continues. "Friends, we owe you a great debt. As you may know, we have been secretly working on a plan to stand up to the Emperor and the Empire. At it's very birth, that plan seemed to have failed entirely. Yet from that certain defeat, you have given us a chance. You, strangers to us, risked your lives to free us. For that, we are eternally grateful. Whatever your reasons for helping, you have our thanks.
"As grateful as we are, we must ask one more thing from you. We have some things to discuss. Can I ask that you watch over us again, so that we can conclude what was started on Corellia? I am certain it will not take long. PROXY, please join us."
Those of you who can take defensive positions, while the rest hang out near the ships.
Some thirty minutes later, the senators come down, Mon Mothma leading them. She holds up a datapad.
In a loud, clear voice she says, "We wanted you here to be the first to hear these words."
"We, the beings of the Rebel Alliance, do this day send forth this Declaration to His Majesty, the Emperor, and to all sentient beings in the Galaxy, to make clear to all the Purposes and Goals of this Rebellion.
We firmly acknowledge the importance and necessity of the institution of Galactic Government. We accept that all must subjugate themselves to that Government, giving up certain rights and freedoms, in return for peace, prosperity and happiness for all.
We believe that the Galactic Government derives its power and right to rule from the consent of the governed. We believe that, should the rights of free beings be willfully and malignantly usurped, it is the unalienable right of said beings to alter or abolish said Government.
We believe that the Galactic Empire has willfully and malignantly usurped the rights of the free beings of the Galaxy and therefore, it is our unalienable right to abolish it from the Galaxy.
We do not take this course lightly. Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes, but when a Government displays a history of usurpation, abuse and moral atrocity, displaying a clear design to subjugate totally and absolutely beings born free under the auspices of nature, it is our right?our duty?to depose of that Government.
The history of the present Galactic Empire is of repeated injuries upon its members, with the direct objective of establishing you, Emperor Palpatine, as absolute tyrant over the Galaxy:
- You have ignored the Senate, the voice of the people;
- You have instituted a policy of blatant racism and genocide against the nonhuman peoples of the Galaxy;
- You have overthrown the chosen leaders of planets, replacing them with Moffs and Governors of your choice;
- You have raised taxes without the consent of those taxed;
- You have murdered and imprisoned millions without benefit of trial;
- You have unlawfully taken land and property;
- You have expanded the military far beyond what is necessary and prudent, for the sole purpose of oppressing your subjects.
We, the Rebel Alliance, do therefore in the name?and by the authority?of the free beings of the Galaxy, solemnly publish and declare our intentions:
- To fight and oppose you and your forces, by any and all means at our disposal;
- To refuse any Imperial law contrary to the rights of free beings;
- To bring about your destruction and the destruction of the Galactic Empire;
- To make forever free all beings in the galaxy.
To these ends, we pledge our property, our honour, and our lives.
She lowers the datapad, and indicates the senators, the princes and Rahm.
"We have made this pledge this day, and signed Articles of Rebellion."
She lowers her voice somewhat. "This will be a difficult fight. The Empire is build around the waging of war. We do not expect an easy victory. But some things, though hard, are worth doing because they are right.
"Those of you who have made this day possible, we thank you. War is not an easy path. We have chosen to walk this path, but no expectation is placed on any of you to walk it with us. You are all welcome to join our cause, but if you do not, know that you leave us with our gratitude and thanks. For those of you who..."
She is interrupted by Doha. "All right, we get it. Where do I sign up?"
Garm stifles a laugh. Mon Mothma turns a stern eye on Doha, but she cannot hold it and she smiles. "Very well. If you wish to pledge yourself to this cause, please come before us, and we will accept you oath or pledge."
Doha marches up before them, and gives his oath to the Rebel Alliance. Juno Eclipse is right behind him.
[Actions?]
Decision time. Join the rebellion, or not.
They're not imposing anything specific - the Rebellion is nothing if not inclusive, so if you wish to join, present yourself, and make your intentions known in whatever way you wish. they want three things:
A statement of Loyalty (you agree to the declaration of rebellion).
A statement of Obedience (agree to put the good of the Alliance is placed before other concerns)
A willingness to risk your life for the cause (acceptance of death for the greater good)
It's free form, so post as you wish.
If you do not wish to join, then do not. There's plenty to keep people occupied outside of the Rebellion. >:D
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Collan didn't even hesitate. He stepped forward immediately.
"I, Collan Rostiern, hereby pledge my loyalty to the alliance to restore the Republic against the tyranny and evil of the Empire. I place all concerns including my own life after this cause. I will serve until the Empire is destroyed or my life ended. As the Force wills."
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Trax quickly, but gently pressed Nim's head tight against him in an attempt to cover one ear, while he used his hand to help cover her other ear. Hopefully it would be enough to limit the woman's discomfort.
But other than that, the man just stood there, watching with interest at how the others would react to the proclamation.
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Keshani felt a queasy feeling in her stomach. She didn't know what to do. She wasn't sure she was at a point that she could feel comfortable pledging unerring loyalty and allegiance to ANYTHING, but at the same time the thought of being alone again completely terrified her...
And she found her eyes turning desperately in the direction of Trax to see what he would do.
She felt the urge to throw up all over again....
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Niil stole a quick look over at Keshani, and saw that she looked like a cornered animal. He quietly moved over to her, and whispered with a faint smile of encouragement, "This is a hell of a lot to take in all at once, Keshani. If you're not ready to make a decision, then tell them; they'll understand. Don't feel obliged to commit to anything because others do. Your life, your decisions."
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She nodded, grateful for Niil's reassurance, but found herself taking a few steps backwards. She was a kid. Surely they wouldn't actually notice her if she just could step back away from the others a bit...
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Niil gave Keshani a quick wink and strode forward to where the senators, Master Kota and Princess Organa stood. He checked a smile; he wasn't sure if Senator Organa or Leia even remembered him from such a long time ago, but he'd have supported the Rebel Alliance's cause regardless of whether they were involved in it.
"Nearly a month ago, the Force guided many of us to the Horuz system with a very important task to fulfill. That we are all meeting here today shows me that there is hope and a strong conviction to overthrow Palpatine and the Empire. I, Niil Spaar, pledge my life and loyalty and obedience to the Alliance without reservation. I so swear before all here, by The Force, and by the memory of my parents, Kael and Lissa Spaar."
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Nim was thankful for Trax?s insightfulness on the ?ear muffs.? Though her concentration was lacking, having the proclamation laid out in bulletpoints helped quite a bit to understand specifically what the Rebel Alliance would stand for. She pulled back her blanket and started typing into her wristcomp as the others spoke. It wasn?t an easy task but it was far easier than trying to speak.
When she was done and all eyes were waiting expectantly on herself and Trax, Nim pulled up a large holo image of her typed text and a robotic voice emanated from the wristcomp (ala Steven Hawking):
As a former intelligence operative I wish to operate as a free agent within the Alliance in good faith that my life and loyalty belong to the greater good and the right to freedom of all beings, of which I swear upon the five hundred million graves of my slave ancestors.
So sworn by me, Tiberius and Naia-Erek and Soona-Gentii and Hara-etc etc etc-Khaana Grayza of Lorrd
Then she added, with a smiley:
(Just call me Nim :) )
The robotic voice responded in kind with:
"Just-call-me-nim-smiley-face"
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Nii's eyebrow rose as he turned to look at Nim with the twitch of a grin tugging at his lips. Nim Smiley-Face? She's going to be very, very interesting.
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Collan snickered at the smiley face comment. Even messed up with something she had a humor to her.
-
Trax watched everyone in turn as they spoke, or tried to shrink away.
Causes weren?t his thing. Did he have a beef with the Empire, hell yes. Even before Corellia he?d had a bone to pick, it?s what lead him to join the Karvis rebels. But there they accepted him as a?free agent as Nim put it, and he liked it that way. He could pick and choose what he wanted to do, come and go as he pleased, and didn?t have to follow orders if he didn?t agree with them.
Besides, he still had other obligations. He needed to ?pay Pluvoo a visit?, to not only get the private bounty on him rescinded, but to pay the man back for what Tormax had to endure. Trax was well aware it was his fault the young man was a part of the smoking crater and debris that was currently on Corellia, that death, like Mariah?s, were burdens he would have to carry alone.
Then there was Boba Fett and the Imperial bounty. That was one bounty he?d never get rescinded, but if he could find a way to deal with Boba Fett, permanently, then other hunters would think twice before coming after him.
Now all of that aside, he still felt some obligation to the KDF, which brought him to Niil. Barely two months ago the man had accepted a warrant in the KDF that carried with it a term of service. The destruction of the northern base didn?t mean it was the end of the KDF. In fact, now more than ever they would need every man and woman they could get. Which led to Rand, he needed to find the funds to get her back on her feet. He owed it to her, for like Mariah, he wasn?t there to help her when she really needed it.
And of course there was Nim Naja. Trax had no idea how long it would take for her system to purge her addiction, but he sure as hell wasn?t going to go off on some crazy assed mission and let the woman suffer alone. And how did Keshani and her imperial friend fit into all of this?
As for where he would fit in this grand rebellion, as he did with the KDF, he would help how he could, when he could but he would not offer his unwavering loyalty, obedience, or agree to risk his life for a cause. It was his life, he would determine if and when he would risk it.
Looking at each of the senators in turn, then the old jedi, and then Doha, Trax never said a word, he just shook his head.
-
Nightshade already had a cause, so had no reason to join this one. Moving to stand next to Niil, he reminded the other man of his words on Karvis, "Will you have time to help me now, with your nascent rebellion forming?"
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Niil nodded. "I wanted to formally pledge myself to the Alliance first while there were witnesses, but yeah, I should've added that caveat while I spoke. I'll be speaking to them about it after the ceremonies are over. Yes, Nightshade, I will honor my promise to you."
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Senator Organa steps forward. "Thank you for your pledges. And for the rest of you, you again have our thanks."
Senator Bel-Iblis nods towards the ruined house. "Time to make plans. Wyrren, Niil, Nim and Collan, would you join us up at the house please?"