OOC: Sorry, but I wanted to put this up in advance. Work might be hairy on Thursday, and I didn't want to delay anyone in case I didn't have time to post. If necessary, I can make adjustments if needed (ie. breaking the post up into segments if Nightshade wants to say/do anything in between actions):
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Niil boarded Ch'lana's ship, and led Nightshade to his quarters. Rummaging around through his duffle bag, he removed his cash and handed it to Nightshade. "There's two thousand, six hundred and forty six credits here. I know it's not much, but you never know what expenses you might run into." He swept up his personal effects and shoved them into the duffle bag, and dropped it next to the door. Next, he moved a table to the center of the room, and set two chairs next to it. Inviting Nightshade to take a seat, Niil plopped himself down in the other and grabbed a datapad. "Okay, the Karvis resistance cells . . ."
Niil took his time to detail the locations of all the resistance cells and compounds that he knew of. He went over the information one last time, and nodded. "That's all the resistance cells and compounds that I know of, including the northern base the Imperials attacked. Unfortunately I don't how many of them will still be active right now - if any of them. You should be able to commit them all to memory during your trip. If Trax will be going with you, then I'm sure he'll vouch for you, too. I'd suggest starting with the southern compound; if it's still active, ask to speak with Senator Pasteur. He's the bigwig there. Now . . . I suppose I'd better prepare the message next. If you don't mind, Nightshade, I'll bring you into the recording in a bit. Just watch for my cue." He grabbed one of his recording rods (OOC: A/V, but no holo capability), and set it on the desk.
Niil sat down at the desk in front of the recorder, and took a deep breath to compose himself. He activated the recorder, and said, "To the KDF units and members of the Karvis resistance: I am . . . Warrant officer Niil Spaar of the Karvis Defense Forces, Special Forces Team." His features grew solemn, and he lowered his eyes briefly. "I first wish to say that I am greatly saddened and outraged over the destruction of our northern compound, and I wish to convey my most deepest condolences to the families and friends of all those that perished or were wounded in that attack. I knew most of those people, and they were like family to me. We were bonded in a common cause, and in that we shed our blood and risked our lives for each other. The Empire will be taken to task for that attack, and their other countless depredations."
Niil looked down at the table for a moment, and let out a sigh. "Many of you are undoubtedly asking, 'So where the hell are you now?' Regrettably I can't tell you at this time. I can tell you that Collan and I ran afoul of an Imperial hunter team near Tez?st, and we were forced to flee via a ship, along with two of our comrades that we met in the Bladesea - Ch'lana, a former commander in the Old Republic army, and Nightshade of the Shinobi."
He shrugged helplessly. "Our only thought at the time was to evade Imperial pursuit and prevent them from tracking us back to the resistance." Niil closed his eyes, remembering the vision that would be forever burned into his memory. "As . . . as we broke orbit, we saw a flotilla of six Star Destroyers arrive in orbit and open fire on the northern compound. We made the decision at the time to leave the system and evaluate our options rather than risk an immediate attempt to return through such an overwhelming naval force."
Niil rubbed at his forehead as a stalling tactic to comport himself before continuing. Leaving the Karvis system had made him feel like he'd horribly betrayed his comrades, even though he knew it was likely that their ship would have intercepted and blown into chaff before they could've reached the atmosphere. "With my disappearance and that of Collan's shortly before the attack on the northern compound, I'm . . . aware that some people might think that we betrayed our comrades to the Empire." Niil leaned forward, and stared intently at the recorder. "For whatever our assurances may still hold, we did not betray the KDF, the Karvis royal family or anyone else on Karvis with anti-Imperial sentiments - nor were we aware of any attack planned against the northern compound until we saw it being executed. If we had any warning beforehand, we would have sent out an immediate warning. I hope that is at least some tiny amount of reassurance in the face of what happened."
"I hope to return to Karvis one day to help in the fight against the Empire, although I wish I could tell you when. If I was to return now, I believe that my presence would jeopardize the resistance far more than help it. I wish I could explain myself further, but I must ask you to trust me on my word. When I do return - and if the resistance is still active - I shall willingly present myself for court-martial and trial if charges of desertion and treason wish to be pursued."
Niil glanced briefly to Nightshade, and gave him a subtle hand signal to join him in front of the recorder. "I had mentioned earlier that I had met up with a comrade in the Bladesea named Nightshade." Niil turned in his chair, and bowed to the man in a sign of respect. "Nightshade here was contracted by the Karvis royal family for a specific task; however, he is duty and honor-bound only to divulge the nature of this task with his contractor, and no one else. Collan, Trax and I will readily vouch for the man's honor and trustworthiness. We implore you to arrange for him to meet with the Karvis royal family as soon as possible."
He was quiet for a few moments to gather his thoughts. "My friends, if there is anything that I can say to bring any comfort in such times, it is this - hold on to hope, lay low and use that time to regain your strength and spirit. You are not forgotten. Karvis is not forgotten. Niil Spaar out."
Niil shut the recorder off, leaned back in his chair and let out his breath. "Well, that made me feel like a piece of rancor crap . . ."
