Xalek Yuun LS Jaesa SCORPIO

I was thinking about the romance letters that (some) people get from their base campaign love interests, and I thought, that's not really fair - why don't our friends write to us? We're supposed to have gone through thick and thin together, so why are the romantically involved people the only ones who drunk text us (or sober write us, we can hope) while we're missing? So I wrote a few. Then I wrote a few more. Maybe you should write some, too. Even more than one for the same person, they may have multiple late nights of thinking too hard. All of these contain spoilers up through the first chapter of Knights of The Fallen Empire. Some individual ones contain class spoilers, most notably Lord Scourge (Jedi Knight). I have enclosed entries behind

Ugh, I had three chapters written and then my video card died. All my files were on the internal drive; I'm stuck until I can get a HD-USB adapter or repair the old warhorse. Sorry, Nalenne. You'll be inconvenienced for a little while.

Balkar! Jace! You had such good plans, if only certain individuals would answer to your reasoning. If only, if only.

Ehehe. Well played, Baras. And it's just the sort of thing his extensive network might start revealing patterns in.

Part 3-58. In which Torch’s challenge begins This series has pervasive spoilers for the Shadow of Revan Rishi questline. It also regularly uses the chapter 3 titles for the Sith Warrior and Sith Inquisitor, along with the background of their companions. A tough Mandalorian game May leave its participants lame. Or bleeding, or dead – Not for nothing it’s said That a Mando must work for his fame. The second challenge was on a rocky prominence populated mostly by fireflies and eggs. Big, gooey-looking eggs. Nalenne and the party circled the whole area and found nothing else. “So…no beastie,” said Nalenne. “Maybe if we smash the eggs Mother will come.” Rho gaped. “Lord Nalenne, that’s barbaric!” “And effective.” “No! Maybe if we call it’ll come?” “That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard, and I read the Factor Ultimate storyline.” “Uh, hello!” yelled Rho, cupping his hands around his mouth. “We need to face you in honorable combat for good and just reasons, so if you could just–” Nalenne kicked in the nearest pair of eggs. “You can’t do that!” squeaked Rho. “For all you know they’re sentient!” The thing that came galloping out of the shadows with a strident shriek, however, was not. Eighty-five seconds and one gushing explosion of monster-goo later, Nalenne stood panting. “Happy?” she said. “I can’t believe they’re making us do this,” Rho said miserably. Kira picked something stretchy and wet off Rho’s hood. “Yech.” But the voice in the hexabuilding only said they hadn’t proved themselves yet. “We could probably just melt the inner door with our lightsabers,” said Kira, pointing. “How anarchistic of you,” said Nalenne, suddenly cheerful. “Ugh, forget it,” grumbled Kira. “One more bridge. How bad can it be?” “This is your fault,” Nalenne yelled five minutes later from the center of a thicket of tonitrans. The walking lizardy beast-things swarmed like bees if bees weighed eighty pounds and bit. And she had it under control until the big one barreled through to her hamstring. “Guh – damn – shoot – mother-Sithing-” Nalenne kept laying about with her saber, but she didn’t try to move her savaged leg. “Get this karking animal off of me – flaming…” her creativity was temporarily swamped by her pain…“great shades of Marka barking Ragnos what in the hell does that thing put on its teeth?” “You?” Kira said snidely. “Kira!” Rho as he gave the huge beast a final deep strike. “Lord Nalenne?” Quinn, shaking a dying monster off his leg, ran to intercept. “My lord!” Nalenne, rather undignifiedly, dropped to the ground. “I will have you know,” she said loudly, “ow– that offing the Wrath like this would be very dishonorable and so you can’t do it.” “Lord Nalenne, I wouldn’t dream of it. Are you all right? Are you in much pain?” Nalenne would have shaken her injured leg to get his attention but thought better of it after her muscles whimpered and went limp. “I’m fine,” she grumped. Quinn was sitting down and unwrapping bandages. “The wound is deep. I don’t have all the supplies I need here,” he said, glaring at Rho as though Rho were personally responsible for this shortage. “They would have been in the ship, but the ship isn’t here. We need to get her to help.” “No,” said Nalenne. “No, we need to get me to Torch so we can finish our business on this stupid island. Mandalorians respect people who keep walking on broken legs, right? That’s probably a merit badge for their children.” “You are not a Mandalorian child,” said Quinn. “No, I’m apparently a little dumber. Come on.” Quinn dutifully took her arm over his shoulder. The comforting solidity of his presence was offset somewhat by the screaming agony of her wounded leg. “Let’s go,” she gritted. They climbed back up to the point where the rope-and-slats bridge extended back to the center of the island. They were greeted by something large and winged, which had been engaged in gnawing on the ropes. The animal paused its munching as the party came into view. It grinned toothily and flapped off.

Part 3-57. In which Torch’s challenge begins This series has pervasive spoilers for the Shadow of Revan Rishi questline. It also regularly uses the chapter 3 titles for the Sith Warrior and Sith Inquisitor, along with the background of their companions. Shae Vizla’s a tough nom de plume (Or nom de defeating the room.) She rebranded “Torch,” Set up on the porch, And waited for worthy foes’ doom. “So on a scale of one to ‘they’re taking away my Jedi license,’ how great was that?” said Nalenne. “I don’t know,” said Rho. “This was my first pirate raid.” “Second. Slave island counts.” “That one had definite positive moral and socioeconomic impact,” Rho said primly. “This time we just…stole a bunch of stuff.” “Including clues,” said Nalenne. “Critical, critical clues.” “’Torch’? Is that a stage name?” “It’s the name of a Mandalorian who doesn’t like the Revanites anymore.” “And the fact of enmity is your idea of progress.” “Well…yes.” Rho gave that a moment’s thought, then nodded resignedly. “All right, then. Call home?” “Call home. Wherever they’re hiding.” Minutes later they had their direction – an island a short shuttle ride away. It was Mandalorian-owned and operated, which probably meant an excess of bravado and a shortage of intelligible conversation. The shuttle landed on a conveniently placed meadow, which was good because it made the unpowered and unsteered landing after being shot down by anti-air emplacements. “Nice job,” said Nalenne. “Thank you,” said Rho. “Since when were anti-air guns honorable combat?” muttered Kira. “Even I don’t use them, and I’m as dishonorable as they get,” grumbled Nalenne. “You could use them,” pointed out Quinn. “It saves a great deal of time in some matters.” Nalenne sulked. “This is just an extension of your thing for droids.” They – sections of Nalenne and Rho’s crew, as Insanity Company had been left to continue the Red Hulls’ reign of terror-or-charity – set out from the wreckage. The meadow sloped upward to a flimsy-looking rope bridge that led to a high rock outcropping. In fact the remainder of the island appeared to be tall rock formations linked by alarmingly tenuous bridges. “I guess we…keep going?” said Rho. “I thought there were people on the island.” A well-beaten path led them across the bridge and into a squat hexagram of a building with its back to an even higher rock. The front gate opened as they approached. And a voice said what Nalenne was to later report as “Blah blah I won’t talk to you until you’ve killed a bunch of stuff.” Bunches of stuff were made available in multiple directions. Nalenne and Rho led the way, lightsabers at the ready, across another rickety bridge. Their first quarry was a giant biped of questionable sentience and definite unwillingness to communicate in any language not involving blunt force trauma. The party answered in kind, starting with anything it could reach and ending somewhere around its skull. It was a short fight. “Torch is just stalling us while she’s finishing her breakfast or something,” Nalenne said resentfully. “Isn’t she.” “My lord, as a Mandalorian it is entirely in character for her to attempt to wear us out through multiple mundane encounters.” “If that was your idea of a mundane encounter,” said Kira, “I’m glad I’m not you.”

Love the imagery. Force Lightning really requires a certain bent of personality. And Ravage, you secret rdps.

It's like candy only I can go back and rerererereread it over again whenever I want.

Yyeeesssssss *bounces eagerly*

Oh my goodness yes. Take that, Thaera. And then rock on.

Part 3-56. In which the crew has a good time afloat This series has pervasive spoilers for the Shadow of Revan Rishi questline. It also regularly uses the chapter 3 titles for the Sith Warrior and Sith Inquisitor, along with the background of their companions. A pirate more cheerful than nice When left to her own lone device Will probably cause, Without respite or pause, A boatload of fun in a trice. "EEEYYYAAARRRRR," roared Nalenne, swinging from the rigging. It was proving treacherous going for her heeled boots, but she climbed on regardless. Ankles could always be replaced later if necessary; she could ask about Rutau’s surgeon. Rho, standing in the crow's nest, waved his hat at her. "Avast! Uh, land ho!" "That's because we're cruising a hundred yards from the shore," yelled Kira. And, sourly, "Could you please remember that you're the icon of the free world?" "My lord," called Quinn, "The situation here requires your attention." Nalenne groaned. "Fine." She stood out anyway for a moment, letting her cape ripple in the brisk sea wind. It was a fine sensation. “My lord,” Quinn said crisply. “I have finished analysis of the Nova Blades access codes. I believe we can extrapolate them to–” “Great!” Nalenne said cheerfully. “Hey, let’s get the crew together to sort this out. Hey, crew!” Lieutenant Ritter manned the helm. Nalenne waited for the others to catch up. “All ready, my lord,” said Captain Rutau. “Uh,” said Nalenne. “Where’s Lieutenant Hareth?” Ensign Rylon piped up. "She's lashed herself to the mizzenmast, my lord." "...Why?" Ensign Rylon's forehead worked itself up into a knot once or twice. "Why wouldn't you, really?" Quinn discreetly pinched the bridge of his nose while his eyes squeezed shut. FWEEOOOP. The ship rocked. A hefty blaster bolt shot from somewhere below the gunwales to shore, where it ruined the days of a pair of tonitrans who had really just been minding their own business. “Cannons working,” Broonmark buzzed loudly from belowdecks. “Excellent,” Nalenne yelled back. “Battle stations, everybody, this is gonna be great!” Ensign Rylon developed a familiar sort of strain about the eyes. “Uh, where are our battle stations?” he said in the voice of a man hoping he wasn’t about to get killed for questioning orders. “I don’t know, pick one,” said Nalenne. “Hey, Rho! Ready?” Rho flourished his hat and pointed toward the Nova Blade’s crashed-ship base. “Ramming sp–uh, belay that!”

I <3 Pierce so much more than I have the time to express. Poor guy's in a big ensemble here. But will never lose his attitude. Part 3-55. In which everything is better afloat (working title: Mission: Morgoth or Marmot or whatever) (actual guy's name, since I looked it up: Margok) This series has pervasive spoilers for the Shadow of Revan Rishi questline. It also regularly uses the chapter 3 titles for the Sith Warrior and Sith Inquisitor, along with the background of their companions. A Sith in appropriate clothes Once struck a piratical pose. Her whimsy was sent On a nautical bent For worse or for better (who knows?) “I have news,” said Theron Shan over the holo. “Finally,” muttered Quinn. “Right,” said Nalenne, “we were doing work or something, right?” “We’re ready to go,” said Rho. “Yeah, what he said.” “Listen carefully,” said Lana Beniko, in the sort of tone of voice that suggested she genuinely expected compliance. “The Nova Blades are based out of a crashed ship a little ways down the shoreline,” said Theron. “I’ve finally got the access codes you’ll need to get through the outer defenses, but I haven’t been able to get in to slice their databases. That’s where you come in.” “Easy. Smash ‘n’ grab,” said Nalenne. “Really more just ‘grab,’” said Lana. “If possible.” “Yeah. Right.” Nalenne crossed her arms over her chest. “Now this crashed ship…you said it was on the water?" "Pretty much,” said Theron. “Half of it's in the bay. The other half is close by." "Reeeeally." Theron’s hands were flying across an invisible keypad. "Is that a problem? The local marine wildlife seems slightly less deadly than the local jungle wildlife." "Not important," said Nalenne. "We're going to use the boat." Both her correspondents stiffened. "The boat?" said Lana. "What boat?" said Theron. "Insanity Company got me a boat." The officers beamed, all except Quinn, who merely looked dignifiedly self-satisfied. "You got a boat?" said Rho, clearly taken aback. "A pirate boat!" confirmed Nalenne. "Did you steal it?" said Rho. "Does that make you squeamish?" Quinn said snidely. "Sort of like it should?" Kira shot back. "There was no legal owner at the time we took possession of it," Vette said smoothly. "Oh," said Rho. "Well, then. We’re going to use it for the attack?” He seemed already to be warming toward eagerness. "You bet! I wonder if Hareth and Broonmark can get the cannons working in time..." "And you're going...to..." Theron's shoulders slumped. "I really can't stop you, can I." "It's not the worst idea I've ever heard," Lana said reluctantly. "We'll have a boat!" said Rho. "And hats!" "Red Hulls forever, right?" said Nalenne. "Yeah," Kira said in a biting tone, "but is the hull actually red?" Nalenne frowned. She leaned over toward Quinn. They exchanged a few heated whispers. "We can fix that," she concluded. Quinn sent a few words Captain Rutau's way. Rutau hurried off.

Well, I finally ran out of queued-up stories. From here on in, WHO KNOWS what happens? ...Oh, wait, the game plot does. Whew. Got worried there for a second. Part 3-54. In which Quinn and Kira are not amused This series has pervasive spoilers for the Shadow of Revan Rishi questline. It also regularly uses the chapter 3 titles for the Sith Warrior and Sith Inquisitor, along with the background of their companions. A monster of green-tinted eye Can demand an emphatic goodbye. When friendships get deep The ones losing sleep Are the ones looking on from on high. Quinn stalked onto the S.A.B.E.R. Helicarrier. He somewhat regretted that Insanity Company wasn’t there to scatter out of his way. He could use someone scattering out of his way. He stormed past the holo room, where Pierce appeared to be watching something borderline pornographic. Which side of the border was a question best left to Pierce. “You’re back early,” said Pierce. “Looking for something?” “Yes,” he spat. “I’m finding…a reason.” “Oh. Aren’t you just going to do what you want to anyway? Or does the flimsy excuse you always come up with help?” “I need the best excuse – a compelling one. Something that will send him once and for all where he belongs, which is not with us.” “You could just kill him,” said Pierce, without asking who they were talking about. “Let milord distract him with one of those deep thoughts that always throws him for a loop. Shoot him in the back. Problem solved.” “And have her blame me for losing the most powerful ally we have in this Revanite effort? She would be…she would be…she would be angry.” “You usually recover from her being angry. Some times more decisively than others.” “But she was only ever that angry when I betrayed her. If she were to raise that passion again…if he could inspire it…” Quinn gripped his hair in one white-knuckled hand. “What does he have that I don’t have?” A small and malicious light took up residence in Pierce’s eyes. “Oh, where to start. Power? Prestige? Principles? A pulse?” “I got better.” “Okay, score one for you, Casanova. You no longer show up as dead. How could any woman resist that when compared to piddling heroes of the galactic stage who share her love for comic books?” “You’re enjoying this,” said Quinn. “You haven’t talked in italics this much since before you died,” said Pierce. “It’s beautiful.” “We have to find a way to detach her from that Jedi.” “Oh, may be. But that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy your misery on the way.” * “I’m thinner,” said Kira. “And if you’re talking redheads, hers is a little too literal. He likes my hair.” Jaesa made a tortured face. “I wish you wouldn’t compare yourself to Nalenne. She can’t possibly want Rho. She just can’t.” “Then why are they bestest pirate buddies now, huh?” “Maybe Rho is exploring a sense of fun? That’s not so bad.” “He can stop exploring it in her lap,” grumbled Kira. “You know what? No. I’m talking to him. Right now.” “Hey,” said Jaesa. “What?” Jaesa bit her lip. “Convince him,” she said. “I miss Nalenne.” * “Master, we need to talk.” “Of course, Kira.” Rho was in full-on serene wise man mode. “Shall we find someplace?” “Oh, we definitely shall.” She led him to an out-of-the-way booth in the lower level. He stopped on the way to return someone’s dropped wallet. “We need to talk,” said Kira. “You mentioned that,” Rho said gently. “It’s about Nalenne.” “Lord Nalenne? Certainly, what is it?” “Well…how do I say this…she’s evil.” “She…is certainly touched by darkness,” Rho said slowly. “I think there’s hope for her.” "Hasn't she killed, like, three of your personal friends in the last two years?" said Kira. "Er..." said Rho. "And didn't you say that if anyone in this galaxy is hopeless, it's the Emperor's Wrath?" said Kira. "Well..." said Rho. "In fact, didn't you say the only way to make peace with her was to lock her up permanently?" said Kira. "On Belsavis, maybe?" "I don't know that I'd put it that strongly," said Rho. “Nalenne is the bad guy!” yelled Kira. “Capital TBG!” “Has she ever led us wrong?” “How could she when we’re holding her by the scruff of the neck to keep her pointed in the right direction and out of biting range? That’s not scoring her any points!” “Kira, I can see you feel strongly about this.” Kira made a belated attempt to keep her outrage to a low vibration. “I just don’t want you to get hurt. And me. And pretty much everybody, which is who’s at stake if you let Nalenne do what Nalenne does best.” “When all this is over, she might surprise you.” “Or she might surprise you. Think about that.” Kira stood. “When this Revanite thing is over, your real friends will still be here. Without weapons pointed your way.” “Kira…” a line between Rho’s brows creased rather hard… “it doesn’t bother you that we’re spending all this time together, does it?” Kira threw up her hands. “No, master. Of course not.” She flounced off, not waiting to see whether the flouncing even registered with her Jedi master.

Part 3-53. In which Rho makes no confessions This series has pervasive spoilers for the Shadow of Revan Rishi questline. It also regularly uses the chapter 3 titles for the Sith Warrior and Sith Inquisitor, along with the background of their companions. This story contains spoilers for the Jedi Knight Rishi quest. This is the fourth of four stories that will deal directly with class-specific Rishi quests. This story also contains spoilers for Captain America: The Winter Soldier. When past failures linger and loom, Accomplishment’s lost in the gloom. The optimal action May just be distraction From all of that brooding and doom.

Part 3-52. In which Rho’s pastime causes consternation This series has pervasive spoilers for the Shadow of Revan Rishi questline. It also regularly uses the chapter 3 titles for the Sith Warrior and Sith Inquisitor, along with the background of their companions. This story contains spoilers for the Jedi Knight Rishi quest. This is the third of four stories that will deal directly with class-specific Rishi quests. There was once a great Jedi Knight A bringer of truth and of light His sheer dedication Deserves celebration For making things turn out all right.

Part 3-51. Look, sir, droids This series has pervasive spoilers for the Shadow of Revan Rishi questline. It also regularly uses the chapter 3 titles for the Sith Warrior and Sith Inquisitor, along with the background of their companions. This story contains spoilers for the Sith Warrior Rishi quest. This is the second of four stories that will deal directly with class-specific Rishi quests.

Tricky. Very tricky. Spectacle Comics is Empire-aligned, in philosophy if not in actual cashflow. The Annihilators are kind of a motley bunch, but all decidedly Imperial heroes. If we were to have an "actual god" and his brother, Thord and Lowkee...what could they be, except Sith? I kind of like 'ancient Sith spirit/ghost' but Thord at least demands a corporeal presence. Maybe princes from an ancient, hidden Sith planet where the Sith Empire was never driven away...yup, Hasgard could definitely be the home of squabbling princes who go out to rule (or protect) (or, in one really unfortunate timeline, destroy) the planets of lesser beings. While the leadership of the Empire would hate a trickster god, I think the average reader might like the devious underdog. Even if he's still, at the end of the day, a Sith power who doesn't have the average Kaasian's best interests in mind.

Perfect little conversation there between Quinn and Zariel.

Oooh...we'll see whether Dromund Fels' demands are any easier on Liatrix. Or bring her a little closer to the solid footing that has been shaken so much lately.

Woo, 100 posts! Nalenne always did know how to get me babbling... Part 3-50 In which Nalenne hears from an old sorta kinda friend This series has pervasive spoilers for the Shadow of Revan Rishi questline. It also regularly uses the chapter 3 titles for the Sith Warrior and Sith Inquisitor, along with the background of their companions. This story contains spoilers for the Sith Warrior Rishi quest. There once was a – spoiler? Oh, right, Who worked with the Empire’s might. Though suave and urbane, He might not be quite sane; His plans are as kooky as bright.

What! Did I miss Talk Like a Pirate Day?? Ah well, they'll have their chance... Part 3-49. In which our heroes idle over heroes This series has pervasive spoilers for the Shadow of Revan Rishi questline. It also regularly uses the chapter 3 titles for the Sith Warrior and Sith Inquisitor, along with the background of their companions. With different mindsets we flirt, A true tête-a-tête might not hurt. First impressions aside, Let’s open minds wide: Common ground is as common as dirt. “Duranium Man,” said Nalenne. “Captain Kaas,” said Rho. “What?” “Obviously I don’t agree with his principles, but I admire his single-mindedness in upholding them. He selflessly fights for what he believes in. And maybe he was manipulated into that position, but he never complains. He chose to trust his government to implement his enhancements and he uses them with judgment and loyalty.” “And brings the crushing might of the Empire against Republic and Jedi.” “Give me an opponent who fights for what he believes in over a wastrel like Duranium Man or a blind bruiser like the Remarkable Brute every time.” “Wastrel, in possession of an ounce of style, same thing, right?” “I’m a little surprised you didn’t say Scarlet Nexu, to be honest.” “Is she really in S.A.B.E.R? Apart from that one crossover.” “It counts.” “And how do you know about Scarlet Nexu?” Rho blushed darker green. “I did read the crossover when it came up. Honestly, she s-sort of reminds me of you.” “I don’t know whether to be flattered or creeped out. Little of both.” “So,” Kira said loudly, “you think we got their attention?” “My lord,” added Quinn, “I need you to sign this.” Nalenne, curious at the interruption, squinted at the datapad. “Quinn, this looks like a form, uh, 268 Format B, for approval to paint a ship.” “Is it?” he said blandly. “Why yes, it’s so.” “Why are we painting the Helicarrier?” He straightened to a marginally crisper pose. “I have predicted a point three six two percent improvement in atmospheric maneuvering if we provide a fresh coat of paint, my lord.” “That and he pulled up the first form he could find to shove in your face to get you to stop talking to Rho,” chirped Vette. Quinn clamped his teeth together. “Vette…” “Rho and I weren’t even talking,” said Nalenne. “I was talking and he was periodically making noise to convince himself this was a conversation.” She looked around. “Where’d he go, anyway?” “Right around when Captain Smooth made his move Kira said she and Rho really needed to meditate,” said Vette, as cheerfully as before. “With those two I honestly can’t decide whether that’s a euphemism.” “Eugh,” said Nalenne. “I think I need a drink after that mental image. Follow me, everybody.” She swept her cape around dramatically and started walking. “Captain Kaas,” she muttered. “Really.” “I like Captain Kaas,” muttered Quinn, in the tones of a man seriously reevaluating his life choices.

Part 3-48. In which the plan is torched This series has pervasive spoilers for the Shadow of Revan Rishi questline. It also regularly uses the chapter 3 titles for the Sith Warrior and Sith Inquisitor, along with the background of their companions. Protection is tricky at best: So you serve at somebody’s behest. First here and then there, Just guard everywhere, Or you flub it and fail the test. Rho and Nalenne stood awkwardly side by side. “Are you sure you remembered the right address?” said Rho. “I just want to know what burned this exact building to the ground without taking out the rest of the boardwalk,” said Nalenne. An enterprising Devaronian had set up a desk next to the scorch mark and was loudly offering fabulous ready-to-build real estate here in highly desirable downtown. Nalenne extended what passed for her non-combat Force sense into the drunkenly leaning remainders of support beams. “They aren’t in there.” “Neither is anybody else,” said Rho. “Right. I was going to care about that, too.” There was a pause. “You know,” said Rho, “when decency happens to coincide with self-interest I think there’s hope for you.” “I will give that…flattery?...exactly the recognition it deserves,” said Nalenne. “Here, let’s try the holo.” While the Devaronian started chatting up a Trandoshan in slick business wear, Nalenne pulled out her holo and dialed Lana Beniko. “Who are we supposed to kill to find the Revanites if our non-combat minions are dead?” Nalenne said uneasily while the ringing went on. “I can investigate. Teeseven will help slicing their systems.” “Does your droid even know what undercover means?” “He can learn,” Rho said stoutly. “Republic technology,” scoffed Rutau. “My lord. Permission to go secure the Blaster’s Path?” “Granted. Keep Hareth out of trouble. I’ll update you once – oh, there.” Lana’s yellow hair might have been more mussed than usual. It was hard to tell. “Lord Wrath. Master Rho. I’m so relieved.” “I couldn’t tell whether our emergency message made it out,” elaborated Theron. “You both there?” Rho stepped in entirely too close. Nalenne was keenly aware of his hovering virtue field. “Yes, we’re all safe,” he said. “What happened?” “Our cover was blown,” said Lana. “It can’t have been an accident, the destruction was too precise.” “So,” said Kira. “We visit you and an hour later you’re on fire.” “The mission has to go on,” said Theron. “It’ll take me some time to slice what I need to get you guys into the Nova Blade base. But once you’re in we need you ready to pull every file having to do with the Revanites. That hasn’t changed.” “Yes,” said Lana. “We’ll just take our time finding a safer safe house.” “You could stick with Insanity Company,” said Nalenne. “Nobody’s set them on fire yet.” “Thanks,” said Theron, “but no thanks.”

Part 3-47. In which a principled person has principles This series has pervasive spoilers for the Shadow of Revan Rishi questline. It also regularly uses the chapter 3 titles for the Sith Warrior and Sith Inquisitor, along with the background of their companions. A Jedi known only as Rho Had, in practical terms, far to go. His virtue was fine When he played toe-the-line, But his deadlier traits…well, you know. “Should we contact your sister?” said Rho. “Why would I ever want to contact my sister?” said Nalenne. “Apart from when I want her to do work for me.” “Lana and Theron were expecting her. Hence the three Red Hull captains. She deserves to be in on this investigation.” “She deserves a lot of things, none of them pleasant and none of them having to do with me. Do you really want another vote for ‘wanton destruction’ on this team?” “Oh,” said Rho. “Maybe not.” So, according to someone’s flawless logic, the thing to do was for Nalenne, Rho, and their pirate cohort to smash up the nearest Nova Blades encampment, posting the standard of the Red Hulls (an abstract muddle of Theron’s devising) and calling in air strikes from none other than Nic, who had apparently managed to negotiate a favorable enough rate to stick around. Nalenne got to smash things. It was good. Even Rho seemed to be getting into the spirit of things, pausing to swing his hat and yell “Red Hulls!” between fights. They called back to base in high spirits. Theron already had a suggestion for their next target: a slave camp on a nearby island. “Slaves?” said Rho. “They deal in slaves?” “Anybody who won’t give the Nova Blades their due gets packed away,” said Theron. “Yes,” said Rho. “Let’s go there.” “See?” said Nalenne. “You’re getting the hang of this.” They got direction by the simple expedient of Nalenne holding a lightsaber to the temple of the next pilot due to leave from their current camp to the slave camp. He was very accommodating, a fact Nalenne almost regretted until Rho reminded her that the pilot couldn’t get them anywhere while dead. “Fair game on the way back, though,” she said. Rho’s usual equilibrium lasted exactly until they found the first massive wicker cage in the slave camps. “Can we arrest all the slavers?” he said to no one in particular. “No,” said Nalenne. “I’m pretty sure nothing is illegal on this planet.” “Oh,” said Rho while he unhooked the cage. He directed the distinctly unhealthy-looking people streaming out back toward the landing pad, where Nalenne had left Jaesa waiting. Then they rounded a corner. Four Nova Blades were lounging around. Rho, before Nalenne could move, jumped into the center and executed a flowing movement that started with a lateral sweep and ended with the fourth Nova Blade bending over his gut and dying. “Uh,” said Nalenne. “Wow.” “Red Hulls,” said Rho, unhooking another cage. “Come on, I bet there’s more.” “So, uh. Strong feelings on slavers, then.” “They’re the scum of the galaxy,” said Rho. “They deserve all the mercy and compassion they have extended to others.” “Right. Yes. Of course.” Nalenne rubbed a suddenly tense muscle in her neck. “Vette,” she said, eyeing the Twi’lek’s collar, “could you just sidle over here by me?” Vette looked up from checking her blaster. “No. Hey, while we’re at it on Slave Island could we keep an eye out for a universal slave remote?” Rho cast them both a befuddled look. “To be honest I sort of assumed her collar was a fashion statement,” he said. “She’s not very…slave-y.” “You’re too kind,” Vette said, in a tone of voice no one could immediately classify. Rho brought his saber up to guard again and stepped forward. “Come on, there’s another cage over there.” “Wait a minute, are you earning us a reputation for being nice?” said Nalenne. Rho scowled at a few distant silhouettes. “Not to them.”

Part 3-46. In which a figure is unmasked This series has pervasive spoilers for the Shadow of Revan Rishi questline. It also regularly uses the chapter 3 titles for the Sith Warrior and Sith Inquisitor, along with the background of their companions. There once was a troublesome blonde Who kept up the weirdest Force bond. Her time she would sink In a troublesome link Then ask help for the trouble she spawned. Nalenne and Rho led the way into the alley, side by side in either a heartwarming demonstration of solidarity or a locked-in knowledge that at least neither one could backstab the other without a really obvious maneuver first. They passed by a couple of ramshackle heaps that might charitably be called buildings and around a couple of ragged, at times charred-looking holes in the boardwalk itself. Finally, in the shadow near a door at the far end, the same knockout figure that had appeared in the holo record waited. “It’s her,” whispered Jaesa. “From the holo.” “You can tell?” said Nalenne. “Yes. It’s her, um, yes.” “Right, then.” Nalenne kept her weapon in hand but deactivated. That was practically a peace sign right there. The woman pulled her mask and hood away, revealing a cascade of mussed yellow hair. “Lana Beniko!” Rho sounded genuinely happy to see her. “You’re safe!” “And none the worse for wear,” said Lana in her habitual calm voice. “Wrath, good to see you again. Any word from your namesake?” “Blah, blah, kill crush,” reported Nalenne. “Business as usual.” “Pretty cagey.” Therobird Shan and his jacket shoulders swaggered out of the doorway and took up a station beside Lana. “Think you’d be more open with Lana after all she’s sacrificed for your Empire.” “Oh, the Empire stays ill-informed, too,” Nalenne said cheerfully. Quinn made a small noise that might have been a whimper. “Hello, Theron,” said Rho. “It’s good to see you.” “You know what terrifies me about him?” said Nalenne. “He means it. He always means it.” “Let’s get inside,” said Lana. The Revanites, Lana Beniko went on to explain, were on Rishi, though in what numbers of what people doing what for what reason she didn’t know. In fact all they had managed to do to date was not get caught themselves, a feat they wished to continue for as long as possible. The purpose of the Red Hulls, now that they existed as a pirate gang completely separate from outside affiliations (Nalenne was privately grateful that the hats and capes detracted a bit from Insanity Company’s uniforms), was to pick a fight with the Nova Blades, the gang supporting local Revan-villainy. For some reason the Nova Blades were attacking Republic and Imperial shipping lanes, remapping the sector for reasons unknown but probably bad. If the Red Hulls made enough noise, they could smash in and extract that information while just looking blindly destructive. “You want someone to look blindly destructive?” said Nalenne. “Boy, do I have the pirate warlord for you.” “There must be a simpler way to do this,” said Rho. “Sorry, Master Jedi.” Theron didn’t look all that sorry. “We can’t use your status against this without alerting the Revanites to what we’re up to.” “And they’re not alerted to people matching the descriptions of the Emperor’s Wrath and the Hero of Tython suddenly taking up shop as the city’s most notorious pirate masters?” said Nalenne. There was an awkward silence. “N-no,” said Lana. “I’m sure you’ll be fine.”