Carrack Station in the midst of the Republic Fleet

Dren Antilles strode down the ramp of Havoc Squad's ship, his medical officer Elara Dorne beside him. "Does this happen often, Sir?" asked the blond woman as she made one last check to make sure that her hair and uniform were in Republic Army regulation. Dren chuckled and said, "Not often, Sergeant but it's not horribly uncommon either I guess. This will my third time working with these people at the request of the Jedi Order's Grand Master."

Elara nodded and said, "If it is a request, we could say 'no' couldn't we sir? Our mission is quite pressing, Sir."

Dren nodded and looked sideways at his newest squad member. "It's true, we could Sergeant but then Grand Master Satele Shan would contact General Garza if she hadn't already and request our help. General Garza would agree, I think. The Grand Master never asks about things that are irreverent or unimportant. Our last mission was to take down a super weapon that was controlled by a radical fringe group - a weapon that would have done serious damage. I have a feeling this situation is going to be similar."

Sergeant Dorne nodded and marched alongside her CO. At the station's cantina, they met a tall, lean and wiry human male Jedi Knight. With him was a shorter, attractive young female Jedi human. Dren grinned and wrapped the tall man in a hug, saying as he did, "It's good to see you again, Alias. Any guess as to why we're here this time."

The tall Jedi Knight looked grim. "I have a few ideas but I don't want to say too much just in case. We'll get enough of that though, Dren. Introduce me to your newest squad member."

Dren motioned Sergeant Dorne forward and said, "Elara Dorne, this is Alias Ordo, Jedi Knight and his apprentice Kira Carsen. Alias, Kira this is my newest squad member and medical officer Elara Dorne."

Sergeant Dorne stepped forward and shook both of their hands, saying as she did, "It's an honor to meet you both, Jedi. Dren speaks very highly of you."

Her Imperial accent caused both of the Jedi to pause for just a moment before Alias said, "Pleasure's all mine, Sergeant. It's always good to meet more bright military minds."

Elara blushed as Kira said, "What the tough guy said."

A deep, melodious voice came from behind the two Republic soldiers. "Squad's getting bigger, Dren. Soon you'll be up to full strength. How many more do you need?"

Dren turned with a grin. Another tall Jedi stood there. He wasn't quite as tall as Alias Ordo but he was much more muscular. His muscles stretched the fabric of his Jedi tunic and robe. Beside him was a very tall trandoshan warrior with a massive vibrosword on his back. The Jedi and Dren hugged each other and thumped one another's backs. "Nedeser Thul - it's good to see you again. There are stories going through the underworld of Nar Shadda about a big Jedi causing trouble. That you?"

The big Jedi, a handsome fellow with a small scar over the bridge of his nose, replied with a wink, "Maybe it was."

Dren chuckled and said, "Well this is my medical officer and newest recruit Elara Dorne. She's bright as a blaster bolt and knows every military reg backwards, forwards and sideways. Sergeant, this is the Jedi Consular Nedesur Thul."

Elara shook his hand and said, "A pleasure, Master Jedi. Um - If you don't mind me asking, what is the difference between a Jedi Consular and a Jedi Knight."

Nedeser smiled and said, "Well a Jedi Knight's focuses on using the force to investigate, defend and guard those who need it. A Jedi Consular focuses more on the force and using it - either to heal or to seek out the dark side. I myself am a Jedi Shadow and am skilled at stealth and infiltration. Were we not at war with the Empire, I would be tasked with hunting down dark side force users and fallen Jedi. As it is, I am currently tasked with hunting down Jedi Masters who have succumbed to a dark side plague and finding a cure for them. Alias is..." and he paused, looking at his Jedi Knight friend; "what exactly are you doing, Alias?"

Alias Ordo chuckled and said, "I'm looking for special weapons and projects for the Republic Army. No offense Dren, but your higher ups can't seem to keep track of any of their super weapons. Hammer Station, the Planet Prison and now the PowerGuard Project - all lost to someone or another."

They all chuckled except Elara, who was nervous about such sensitive material. Before she could object, there was a sultry coo behind her. "My, my, MY! So many handsome men here; how is a girl to keep focused on the task when she has so many handsome men to look at."

All eyes turned towards a shorter woman with a seductive smile, wearing brown leather pants, an off-white shirt tied a dozen centimeters above her blaster belt and a black leather vest over that. Two blasters were strapped on her hips and she was absolutely, drop dead gorgeous. Her chocolate brown hair was tied back into a utilitarian tail and her hazel eyes sparkled with laughter and joy at seeing her friends again. Jedi Thul wrapped her in his powerful arms and murmured, "So good to see you, Moira. How goes your treasure hunt?"

Moira winked up at him and said, "Well it was going fine until your boss decided I needed to help with some big hoopla. You know what's going on?"

Nedeser shook his head. Alias followed his friend's example, embracing the small woman, followed by Dren who also decided that a blistering kiss was in order, earning a frown from his medical officer. Turning to Sergeant Dorne, Dren said, "Moira Denic, this is my medical officer Elara Dorne. Sergeant, this is Moira Denic an..." and he winked at the gorgeous woman, "...independent shipper."

Elara knew exactly what he meant. Smuggler. She didn't like smugglers, never had. The Empire had taught her to despise them and her experience with the Republic hadn't changed her mind. Even so, she nodded politely and shook Moira's hand. "A pleasure, Captain."

Hearing Elara's accent, Moira's smile became very tight. "Likewise;" she said through stiff lips. Alias looked a little nervous and said, "So Moira, where's Corso?"

Moira looked at him with a chuckle and said, "Corso's back on the ship. He didn't really feel like coming."

Nedeser said, "What grand adventures have you two been up to since Taris?"

Moira gave him a sultry smile and sashayed over to him, batting her long lashes as she replied, "So many, Des; maybe I'll tell you about them over dinner or a drink. Or maybe..." and she put both hands on his chest and leaned up against him, standing on her tip toes and whispering, "...we should forget the drink and dinner and head back to my ship - or yours. You probably have more room than I do. What do you say, Baby?"

Des's face turned red she gave his chin a kiss. He was about to answer when his face turned even redder, mortification filling his eyes and he cleared his throat, carefully taking a step back while making sure that Moira didn't fall over. He was staring over her head and Moira turned to see a highly amused Grand Master Satele Shan. She shook her head, saying dryly, "Captain Denic, I believe that the last time we met, I mentioned something about molesting my Jedi. Is it really that hard to resist?"

To both Alias's and Des's mortification, Moira smirked and said, "Absolutely, Master Jedi. I mean, seriously, have you taken a real good look these two? You have kilos of muscle and a gorgeous face, or tall, mysterious and handsome; what's not to want?"

To everyone involved's surprise, Master Satele looked at the two rising stars of the Jedi Order and cocked her head to the side as if considering. Des and Alias fidgeted with extreme discomfort and Master Satele looked back at the smuggler captain and nodded with a wry smile. "I do suppose they both have some attractive and appealing features. Yes, I can understand your feelings. Now please everyone, dismiss your companions. This is quite a serious, sensitive situation."

When all of their companions were gone and they were all in the VIP lounge in a private booth, Master Satele looked at each of them. Alias and Des couldn't meet her eyes, blushing madly even still at her scrutiny and comment. After studying each of them, she pulled out a datapad and said, "Republic Intelligence has just received some extremely disturbing news. It would seem that one General Ortol, formerly of the Ord Mantell separatist movement, has taken a large group of his best troops and left Ord Mantell, going to the Outer Rim World of Cademimu. There, he has hired himself and his troops out to the local corrupt governor, a certain Governor Chornarov as his enforcers. Apparently, they seized complete control of the planet, including its considerable planetary missile defense system. The people of Cademimu aren't very pleased and are rising up against them. Unfortunately, Ortol's men are brutally putting down any resistance."

After a long pause, Master Satele said, "Your mission is to sneak in and meet up with the local resistance leaders and assist them in bringing down General Ortol and his men and also retake the missile defense command center."

Moira lifted a hand and asked, "If this world wants control of itself, why should we fight to prevent that?"

"Because," explained Dren, "It's not the people of the world, it's the planetary government that wants to break away and the people want to remain a part of the Republic. That choice is taken away from them by their corrupt governor."

Moira nodded and considered. Alias and Nedeser stood and asked, "When do we leave, Master?"

Satele smiled at her two eager Jedi. "A shuttle will be ready for you in two hours. Go and prepare yourselves. May the force be with you all."

She bowed and walked out. Des and Alias were staring into infinity. Moira snickered and said, "So... which of you is gonna make a move on the grand master first?"

"Stop;" muttered Nedeser, covering his face and turning red. "I mean, really, Master Satele Shan might be a little older than you two but, all things considered, she still looks really good."

Alias groaned and said, "Moira, please don't."

Giggling like a naughty child, Moira turned to Dren and said, "How about you, Dren? I heard a rumor that she had a thing for the special forces types."

Dren grinned and waggled his eyebrows. "Really? If that's the case, I'll give it a try. Anyhow, we have work we need to do. Let's meet in the hanger in an hour."

Nedeser had traded his obvious Jedi robes for a set of clothing common for a middle class man on Alderaan. His lightsaber, he hid in a luggage bag with more clothes in a case protected from the majority of all sensors, even the most advanced ones. On the way to the hanger level, he ran into Moira who was also in different clothing than normal. Instead of the off-white shirt and leather, she wore a very well fitted shirt and trousers combo with the Correlian bloodstripe on the legs. Over the shirt and pants, she wore a black swoop racing jacket and wore a more modern blaster pistol. Des chuckled, "Flashy and Sparkles hidden safely away?"

Moira shot him a wink and said, "Don't know what you're talking about. Say..." and she looked him up and down appreciatively. "...you look even better when you're not in those baggy Jedi robes."

Des blushed and chuckled. They reached the hanger level and found Dren and Alias waiting for them. Dren wore an outfit similar to Moira's which actually made sense since he was Corellian born and raised. Alias wore a light armored combat suit and carried a blaster rifle, a blaster pistol and a sizable vibroblade on his hip. He looked like a disavowed mercenary. Nedeser chuckled and said, "Looking good, brother. Can you be any more obviously Mandalorian?"

Alias grinned and said, "I have bes'kar'gam on my ship. Would that do it?"

Dren looked at Moira and chuckled, "Alright, we need a cover story for customs. Ortol's soldiers are going to be checking everything, including a back story. Moira and I are siblings. Alias, you won't be part of our group until we get through customs. Des, you'll be with us. Any ideas?"

Des shrugged and said, "I could be invisible and slip in. Why worry about that at all?"

Dren shook his head. "No. We could be stopped in the streets by soldiers and if you are found without your proper documents, you'd be tossed in the brig. We can't afford an incident like that. Here's what we'll do. You are going to be Moira's fiance."

Des's eyes widened and Alias burst out laughing. Moira winked at him and said, "I like it. I get to be engaged to a handsome Alderaan man. Tell me, Baby, what should our wedding colors be? Have you picked up the rings yet? Will Dren or Alias be your best man? Who should my maid of honor be? There are so many things we need to figure out."

Des groaned as she took his arm and led him towards the shuttle, chattering away to him about their fictitious wedding. Dren and Alias were laughing so hard that they were staggering as they followed behind. The pilot called back, "Ready to go Gentlemen, Ma'am?"

Moira flashed a thumbs up. "Launch when your clear, Honey. Let's get this show on the road."