The warmth of the sun radiates everything the light touched along the shore. The clear waters sparkle with the rays of the sun passing through the surface. Along the surface multiple boats and other aquatic commercial vehicles skim across the water, splashing up water behind them as they bounce along the smooth waves. Other vacationers splash around in the water closer to the shore, playing with family and friends. The taste and smell of salt fills the air.
The skies are spotted by a variety of speeders and shuttles, only capable of being bought by those who are rich enough. They fly along to their destinations through the air above. Engines run at a quiet level, never disturbing the peaceful ambience of the beach.
Not far down the shore of all the people enjoying their stay are two in particular. Two that prefer to stay away from the crowds, and enjoy their time together. Alone. A woman and a man. The woman has dark brown hair with goggles along the fringe and brown eyes, with tanned skin. She wears with brown pilot vest with a long sleeved white undershirt, and cargo pants with pilot boots. The man has a lighter complexion, with short brown hair, brown eyes and a lightly shaven brown beard. He is outfitted with a tan brown long sleeved tunic with brown pants and black combat boots, as well as black bracers along his forearms. Both lay out on separate deck chairs. These chairs are into the wooden planks of the balcony they rest on, looking over the beach.
"This view good enough for you?" the woman asks, waving a hand gingerly towards him. The other hand rests under the back of her head. She shows off a small smile on her face.
The man makes no acknowledgement, his eyes in the skies above. Longing for something, anything to happen. As long as it gives at least some excitement. This silence is getting to him. It makes him feel..odd. All he can think about are the events of the past month. They have already moved to several other beaches, and none of them take his mind off of the matter. Then again, they had earned this. And it was his idea to come here. So he might as well enjoy the peace while it lasted.
"Hey. Are you hearing me or is your head somewhere else right now?" He turns his head to her, raising a brow. He then gives a swift nod. "Don't do that again, or I might think you're dead."
"You know I wouldn't die without giving you a warning" he says with a comedic nature. She chuckles light-heartedly.
"You better not. Who else am I going to fly around then?" He narrows his eyes at her, yet did nothing but let off a sly grin. He glances back to the skies, catching sight of a pale shape passing over. The cloud startled him, being shaped like an infamous ship. Star Destroyers. Just the sight of one is be enough to cause a worldwide panic. But why, of all places, would the Imperial Remnant ever come here? Never. They would never come here. There is nothing to get from taking this planet. All Spira has is tourism, and what would that get them? A few extra thousand credits, that's what. So, of course that cloud wasn't really a Star Destroyer. So why did he suddenly have a bad feeling?
"Master Katarn. Would you like a drink?" Katarn looks up, startled by a sudden somewhat feminine/electronic voice, and finds a bipedal servant droid standing over him with a metal plate, several drinks resting on top. It's normally black receptors have a see through cover to it that add an iris with pupils, making them look more like...human eyes. But that only put customers off more than usual. Add to that the pointed breasts, and you've got a droid that stands out from other models. Really put some people off.
Without giving an answer, he stretches out his hand for one. The robot plucks one from the plate and places it into his hand with careful handling, spilling not a single drop. The man began downing the drink without even lifting a thumb up to the droid or saying any thanks. It goes on to the woman, who respectfully denies the offer. Finally, they could be in peace. Far from the turmoil of the galaxy around them. He lifts the glass to his lips and-
It slips from his hands onto his chest, spilling all over him, startled by a buzzing on the small table between the deck chairs. The woman appears unfazed by it, and found Katarn's reaction quite amusing. He glares from the corner of his eye, which she ignored as she reached over to the circular device and pressed a button on it. A blue figure suddenly appears, illuminating the base of the device with a blue glow. The figure appears to be an aged woman with a long robe and short hair.
"Greetings Jan."
"The same to you, Mon Mothma." The middle-aged man mutters quite vulgar things under his breath while cleaning himself up, with the unwanted help from a servant droid. "Kyle says hello."
"Yes, I am sure he does. Have I interrupted something, at all?" Jan shakes her head, stealing a glance at her partner.
"No, you didn't. We were just enjoying some peace and quiet."
"Yes. Were" Kyle adds in a distasteful fashion, just finishing wiping off the liquid beverage. But it would stain. No doubt about it.
"Truly, I am sorry for interrupting your vacationing, but Master Skywalker has requested your presence." Both the people raise a single brow each towards the hologram, then towards each other, and back to the shimmering figure. Before they can ask a question, she answers it for them. "He said something about a Remnant base in an asteroid field. One you have been to before. Do you know of what he speaks of?" Both of them nod.
"Yes. We have both been there, though Kyle had seen more than me. What's this about?" Jan asks, despite knowing the coming reply.
"He has gathered a strike force, and has asked for you to join it." A groan escapes Kyle's mouth. Just when things were getting good. And now, this comes up.
"We'll do it." Kyle places a palm against his face, groaning once more.
"Very well. I shall relay this news over to Master Skywalker. I'm sure he will be glad to hear the news." With one last goodbye, the hologram dissipates. Jan swings her legs over the side, locking her fingers together. She stared over at Kyle, her face changing to a more stern expression, eyeing him closely.
"You could have said hello, you know. " Kyle shrugs without a care. Her eyes narrow more.
"We should get going." She stands from her deck chair, and begins stretching her limbs and back. There were a few cracks heard from her bones by her relaxed movements, then she began moving. Kyle, on the other, wished to stay where he was. Why can't I just have one little break,he wonders to himself. It hadn't even been a week since arriving here. He had barely spent much time with Jan since her supposed 'passing', which had turned out to be all one big plan against the New Republic (and it had almost worked, too). So why did something always have to pop up to interrupt a great, peaceful moment?
"Are you coming?" he looks over at her and glowers. She smiles back. "I'll be waiting in the Raven." He waves a hand and looked back at the shore. For this short moment, he studies every detail so that he could replay it in his mind at any time. It brought peace about him. And that was something he lacked. And once he was done, he stood for the inevitable. He had to leave this planet sooner or later. And it turns out to be the former.
Kyle made his way through the resort which the balcony was attached to, earning somewhat cautious looks. That is probably due to his outfit. It makes him look more like a pirate than a stuck-up senator, or other neatly dressed persons. Even a Jedi wouldn't earn this much attention. No matter what, that cloak they wore always seemed to be fit for any occasion. But he is no Jedi. Sure, he wieldd a lightsaber and the Force. Something he left some time ago, but returned to recently. No, he is a mercenary for the New Republic. And he likes to keep it that way. Here, though, he keeps his saber hidden. It stays on the ship, but he keeps his Bryar blaster on his person, holstered against his side. The front entrance to the resort is cluttered with newcomers, yet few are checking out like he was about to. He approaches the crowd and carefully began worming his way through. He stayed low, not wanting to be seen by-
"Master Katarn. Are you leaving?" He groans and stood up straight, then slowly turns with a forced smile to the servant droid.
"Yes."
"You are not due to leave for another two weeks...Shall I cancel all reservations?" Kyle nods. The droid is silent and stood still for a few seconds, then came back from it's data system. "It is done. We hope you enjoyed your stay, Master Katarn."
"Yeah. Thanks" he replies, knowing full well it didn't hear as it turns around and wanders away on it's quirky legs. Rolling his eyes, he went on his way again. Finally, he makes it out of the crowd, almost making some close calls with a few species he'd rather not run into.
Outside was a large plaza, with a fountain in the center. Long land speeders would drive around it to the front of the resort, and they would drop off the passengers. On the right is the parking lot for land speeders, and on the left was the hangar for small ships, from corvettes to something the size of small fighters. And one of these ships inside is the Raven Claw.
Kyle found a door into the hangar and pushes it open, almost being hit by a hovering trawler with suitcases and other luggage. He utters an unsavory insult, then continues on. The inside of the large building is filled from one end to the other with multiple types of ships, big and small. The lights are dimly lit along the roof above. A few rich sentient races go along, traveling to and fro from ships.
The Raven's Claw was parked towards the other end of the hangar. The front of the cockpit is hooked down, like that of the beak of a bird. It's body is sleek and almost twice as long as an X-wing, and slightly over it's height. It has two large cylindrical engines, with one on each wing. On the outer side of the engines, the wings are split, with one horizontal and the other angled downwards. It's paint job consisted of a dark grey hull, with a single red streak along the bottom of each side. Beside it was a small trawler with droids unloading things into the hull of the ship. There isn't too much, since there isn't too much room in the ship. By the side of the cockpit was Jan. She leans against it, seemingly directing the droids. She spots him proceeding towards them and waves him over. He came to stand in front of her, crossing his arms with his hands on his elbows.
"Finally. For a second there, I thought you weren't coming" she jeers. He locks eyes with her, raising a brow.
"Get in already. It's time for us to leave." Jan nods and begins her climb up the ladder on the side, leading into the cockpit. Kyle glances to the one of the droids and throws a question towards them:
"Is everything packed?"
"Yes, Master Katarn. Your ship is ready to leave."
"Yeah. Thanks" he replied quickly before he too began to climb.
"Well, well, well. Look who it is?" Katarn froze halfway up. He knew that voice. He just didn't know whether it is real or not. And when he turns, he finds his answer.
Behind him is a dark blue humanoid with red eyes; A Duros. It wears a tanned robe adorned with gems along the collar and the middle of the front. It's sleeves went down to the wrists. And it has a cap over the bald top of it's head. His hands are clasped together, with his thumbs pointing up and pushing against each other.
Behind him is a Weequay and a light green Rodian. Underneath their garments, he can see the glints of black steel, indicating blasters.
"Altus Varn. What's a bottom-feeder like you doing in a place like this?" Kyle remarks with hostility. The Duros glares lightly, with a grin that stretches from ear to ear.
"I'd like to ask the same of a human scum like you. Your fragrance numbs my nose, and the sight of you blinds me." Of course. Always the poetic type. He always uses these skills to insult so many others. And he also always hated humans. The reason, no one knows. It's just how he is.
"Look, can't we just leave this be?" The Duros unclasped his hands and put them by his side.
"Very well. Only because we are in such a wonderful place like this, where such violence is not permitted. You are lucky, and should be gracious to such mercy." His hand launches upwards in a dismissive manner, and left with his two bodyguards. He watches them disappear into the shadows of the entrance, possibly heading to a ship of his own. Kyle utters a single grunt, then continues up the ladder.
He hears a voice as he goes up, and peeks over to find Jan speaking to someone via a hologram fitted to the dashboard. He recognizes the shape of the figure, as well as the voice. It is Luke Skywalker, known to some as Master Skywalker.
"We are just about to leave, Luke. Just as soon as Kyle gets in-" She hears him enter the ship and sends a glance his way. "Speak of the devil" she speaks with a witty grin.
"So I see" the Jedi replies. "I expect to see you soon...You don't have to come if you do not wish to. I have enough in the strike team to achieve our goal."
"Don't count on it. We won't be missing out on any of the action." Kyle could have sworn he spotted a smirk curve along the Jedi Master's lips.
"Good luck to you then." He gives one last look at Kyle, then the call cut off. Jan began pulling a couple of switches and then pushes one lever forward. The doors on the sides of the cockpit lower and seal shut. After some more button pushing, the ship began lifting upwards, the roar of the engines filling the cockpit of the ship. The hanger doors ahead open enough for the Raven's Claw to fit. It begins to move forward at a slow speed, then accelerates as it passes out of the hanger. Jan pushes another throttle forward, and the ship lurches forwards, angling upwards slightly. In a matter of seconds, it was off to the atmosphere.
"Engaging hyperdrive." Kyle's muscles tightens up as he clenches his hands a little on the sides of his chair. The ship comes to a slow speed, then suddenly, it lurches forward with such great speed, the space around them becomes streaks of light, slowly forming into a hole of blue light through space.
"We should arrive in twenty minutes, if we get there without any trouble." Kyle gives a tired nod with half closed eyes. She notices this, and gives a suggestion:
"Get some rest. You'll need it. I can fly alone." Without any argument, he lies back against his seat, crosses his arms and closes his eyes, drifting into a well-earned rest as the bumps of the ship lull him to sleep.
Kyle feels the tight, icy grip around his neck like cold fingers of a cold hand, strangling the life from him. He holds his hands to his neck, trying to pry off the invisible hand, but it is useless. For before him stands the wielder of the force, hoisting him into the air. From the reptilian being come the words that have haunted him for so long:
"On second thought Tavion, kill her."
"Kyle!" And these were the last words from Kyle's partner as he heard the hiss of a lightsaber, and her pained scream.
"Jaaaaaan!" The force-user launches Kyle away. There is a pain that shoots up his back as he hits the metallic wall behind him, and he falls to the ground. Before he can get up and fight back, the shuttle is already in the air. Then it flies away, taking his partner with him. Kyle can feel the anger boil up inside. No matter what, he will have his revenge. Even if it means he has to destroy the entirety of the Imperial Remnant.
The mercenary jolts awake from the nightmare he had lived through. For a mere second, he believes it was true, though calms down as he sees himself in cockpit of his ship. On his left is his partner, Jan. Alive and well. She turns her ad to meet his eyes with her own.
"We're almost there." She turns to the window, wearing an expressionless face. But he can feel the emotions inside. She worries. Had he been talking, or perhaps moving around in his sleep? Did she know what he was seeing in his sleep? It bothers him to not know, but he lets it go. She had been through lots. And asking her would possibly make things worse. There was a long silence between them, soon broken by the pilot's voice:
"Luke called in earlier. He says the fleet is almost there. They will arrive before us, so expect us to fly into a crossfire. Lots of turbulence." He nods and leans forward, looking over the dashboard on his side. From the look of things, they were ready. But it couldn't hurt to double check. Scanning over the console, he sees the shields are full, and the fuel is at enough to complete this mission.
Another silence follows. After some time, it is interrupted by a beeping sound on the dash. Jan pushes a button, and the transmission opens. This time, it is only audio, so no blue figure on the top of the console. We can hear the voices of some of the console of whatever ship Skywalker was in. Possibly his X-Wing.
"We are a minute away from the station's location. How far away are you?" Skywalker asks.
"Three minutes" Jan replies quickly. "You'll see us arrive."
"Very well. See you both in the field." With that, it ends. Jan glances at Kyle once more.
"You ready?" Her partner nods, quickly looking over his gear. She grins, and looks back to the window, into the light of hyperspace. Whatever they were going to fly into, they would be ready.
Hello there, readers. If there is anything I have gotten wrong with personalities and other things, please notify me. So thanks for taking the time to read the beginning of this story, and see you all in the next one.