Nightshade: Return to Karvis III

[Nightshade]

I was contracted by the Karvis royal family for a job just before the Imperial occupation.  I have to try to find any that remain of the family to discharge my duty.  I was informed that your group might be able to get me a meeting with Senator Pasteur, which would likely be my best chance to accomplish this.

I have messages from Niil Sparr, Collan Rostiern, and Trax to verify my trustworthiness, and I have also returned the body of the girl Mariah for burial when time allows. 


ooc: fixed, thanks for jogging my memory, Corey.

[GM Craig]

He nods, and you see recognition in his eyes - he knows at least some of the names you recited.

"I know Warrant Spaar. Ok, look. I'll see those messages. But you need to understand something: almost no one sees the Silver Fox. I lead this cell, and I've never laid eyes on her. It's been her policy since she first started resisting the Emperor, long before they showed up here and turned Lendt into a crater. It's the reason she is still alive and all our other leadership is dead. If you want to speak to her, you're going to have to go through some hoops.

"Now, let's see these messages."

[Nightshade]

"I understand." Nightshade's reply was brief and to the point as he handed over the messages given to him by the others.

[GM Craig]

The first message is from Niil.

"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 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 Tezest, 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 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 to the side briefly, and a subtle hand signal off-screen. Nightshade's face appears in the recording.  "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 honour-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 honour 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.  "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."

[GM Craig]

Next he reads the message from Collan.

When he is done, he looks you over for a few moments.

"Ok, your bonafides seem legit. Let me make a call. In the meantime, go grab some food and take a load off. Sentara will see to you." He motions to a tall female with white hair across the cistern.

[Nightshade]

Thanking the leader of this cell with a bow, Nightshade moved over to join Sentara.  A little food and rest would be most welcome after his exercise.  He was particularly interested in finding some water to brew some tea.

[GM Craig]

You walk up and Sintara turns to you, hands on her hips. She is a good head and shoulders taller than you. She has an athletic build, but her size and attire make her seem more muscular than she really is. She has a few visible scars, and you recognize the wounds of a well-practised knife fighter on her forearms.

She looks you over in a borderline rude way, and you feel like the jury is still out when she finishes. "Boss says be friendly." Is that reluctance in her voice? She jerks a thumb over her shoulder. "Grab a ration pack if you want. Caf is in the black pot, water on the burner. The tap on the back wall has potable water. Wash what you use and put it away."

She spins a nearby char around so it is reversed, and sits with her arms crossed on the back of it, watching you in their makeshift galley.

[Nightshade]

Nodding his acknowledgement to the woman, the Shinobi moves to the water on the burner and prepares some tea for himself.  Having eaten with Cali, he passed on food for now, and sat where he could watch Sintara as well, cradling his cup of tea and waiting for what would happen next.

[GM Craig]

You sit enjoying your tea, pointedly ignoring the rude stare of Sintara. For her part, she continues to sit on the reversed chair, staring at you. You do not see any open challenge in her eyes, but there is simmering hostility and distrust. Back home such behaviour was worth of a duel, but you remind yourself you are not at home and your customs are likely to not be observed, and sip your tea.

It is perhaps 20 minutes later when Mal Revin ducks past a tattered and bound up curtain to enter the "mess" area. He grabs a chair, and spins it much the same way Sintara did, and sits facing you. As he entered the space, you caught a glance at Sintara. In that glance, you notice affection. Perhaps an emotional attachment, or perhaps just close friends. You mentally file that away, like so many other details your training provides you.

"The Silver Fox has agreed to meet with you, but there are some conditions. You will need to surrender your weapons to me, and you will submit to being drugged for the trip. I am to tell you the Senator has no reason to doubt your honour, and reasons to believe you, but I am to remind you that you cannot be compelled to share information which you do not know. You will be entering the remaining stronghold of the Rebellion, and it must be protected."

He looks you over as you take another sip of tea. "Those are the conditions. They are non-negotiable."

[Nightshade]

Why did everyone on this cursed rock want to have him give up his blades?  Was the honor of his clan and way of life really worth all of these insults?  Or more to the point, where did the line fall between the honor of keeping your weapons and the honor of completing your task?  Why did he keep having to face these decisions...it had always been so cut and dry before.  Sighing internally about the changing world around him, Nightshade broke from his internal reverie and answered the man before him. 

"Under protest, I agree to your conditions.  However my weapons will stay here in a container sealed by me and I will take your word that they will not be touched by any in my absence."

[GM Craig]

He considers a moment. "If you want. I was going to bring them with us in a footlocker, but they can stay here if you want."

[Nightshade]

"That will be fine, I suppose I should have asked if you would be coming."

[GM Craig]

He shakes his head. "I miss-spoke. I'm not coming. They'll be sending a transport. We're supposed to knock you out, load you and your gear up, and send you on your way. They should be here in an hour or so."

[Nightshade]

"Very well."

ooc: good to go

[GM Craig]

Time passes. Slowly you become aware of your surroundings.

Your training keeps you still as you slowly come to your senses, and you manage to not reveal your awareness to the other individual in the room. You hear someone moving, though with your eyes closed, you cannot see them. You are thirsty, though not overwhelmingly so. The drug is still in your system, but fading fast.

Risking a quick blink, you spot a female with her back to you. The only fixtures in the room are a stool, a cot, and a small shelf where the female is currently going through the contents of some sort of kit. You note a used syringe on the small shelf - likely the antidote. You remember nothing of the transport here, or getting the drug.

The resonance of the air system, and it's exposed location, suggest this is either a re-purposed building, or you are underground. Given that the walls are all rock, likely the latter.

The woman turns. In the instant before you close your eyes again, you see a datapad in her hand. You hear the creak and scuff as the stool is shifted, and the quiet tapping as she starts using the datapad.

There is no sign of the locker with your weapons in it, but you have not looked around completely.