Republic Gunship
They were only on the hunt for a couple of days now; John was manning the sensor station staring at the readouts bored his hand on his cheek.
Now that he had command, he was not sure what to do. Just set in a random course and hope.
It was not like the commander at the base had given them any specific directions saying 'go here, find Death, and then deal with him in the way you deem best.' Nope, none of that, just an insane situation where John, Sora, and their hearty Republic Sergeant wandered the galaxy with a stick and a flashlight, stumbling in the dark.
John sighed drearily to himself thinking about their desperate situation. They only had enough supplies for a few weeks which meant their time was limited. At least the company was nice.
And right on cue Sora entered the bridge, now wearing a standard issue Republic Military flight suit, instead of her regular Jedi Robes. Apparently she did not bring enough spares and the laundry facilities on the ship were dismal. At least it was far more complementary then the robes…and in John's personal opinion, since he was wearing one too, more comfortable.
"Any Luck?" She asked him.
"Nope, how about you?" John asked her since she was attempting to use her abilities in the Force to track the dreadnaught.
"Nothing, not a single tremor, this means they aren't not close or aren't well protected." She frowned.
John shrugged.
"Actually this probably means exactly that," The Marine spoke poking his head through an open hatch, "I have been thinking about our problem, and I think I have come up with a solution."
"Do tell?" John yawned.
"I think Sora is right. Death is a strong Force Sensitive with great powers and ability in the Force which makes him an asset to whichever side he is on, correct?"
"Yes, that is correct. He was…well the last Death…was hunted even as a small boy by forces that were not loyal to his father but wanted to use him for their purposes. He had a strong and ruthless presence in the Force that destroyed all those who opposed him." John explained. "Why?"
"Well that suggests that he is a huge military resource to whoever wants him. This means a heavily defended and perhaps mobile platform like a dreadnaught, or a base. If it's the former then we might have a way to track them because a dreadnaught needs resupply." The Marine explained.
"Interesting," John came forward and arched an eyebrow, "got any ideas?"
"Yes," The Marine sat down in the pilot's seat, "there is a small neutral planet on the edge of Republic Space that is making a huge profit from both sides coming to them for basic supplies. It seems logical that a dreadnaught that is conducting combat operations may stop there. At least it's as good a place as any given our current situation."
"Sounds like it could be a good starting point, set a course." John ordered.
"Aye aye Commander," the Marine nodded as he manipulated the controls to lay in the course.
"Finally maybe we can get this over with." Sora smiled coming over to stand by the command chair.
"Yes, but still this jaunt has not been all bad." John cut in. Sora looked at him and their eyes met for a brief second which seemed to linger.
The Alliance Cruiser- Commander's Office.
Reevax was sitting behind his desk leaning back in his chair ever so slightly pondering recent events. His ship was on patrol in an area seemingly devoid of Republic activity. He appreciated the downtime and the chance to update the training on his crew to get them ready for their next mission.
He also appreciated the sense of calm that had come over this ship, and the chance to reflect on his past.
"Captain Sir, a priority two transmission coming in for you." The aide over the intercom said as his desk beeped at him.
"Who is it?" He asked.
"Unknown sir, they are using a scrambling field consistent with the upper levels of our Military structure." The aide explained.
An Alliance scrambling field used on a priority two transmission? Well no one said life wasn't supposed to be interesting, he thought to himself.
"Put it through." He ordered as he turned around to face the screen.
"Ah Reevax, glad you accepted my transmission." His old master greeted with a grin as he came up on the viewer.
"Master!" Reevax replied happily.
"It's been too long my former aide." His master nodded appreciatively.
"Yes, why are you contacting me? Anything you need me and my crew to do?" Reevax asked worried.
"What can't I come and check in on my old friend?" His master smiled slightly.
"No… just surprised…why the scramble?" Reevax asked, he appreciated talking with the man again but he was curious as to the inconstancies.
"Oh. That. We are currently on a top secret mission involving…well… a captured Force Sensitive that we are using to try and turn the tide against the Republic. I am right now on the dreadnaught trying to help in that and figure out how the Special Operations Directorate can exploit the situation to our advantage. I am thinking of transferring my flag here."
So that explained it! "Captured Force Sensitive?" Reevax asked.
"Yeah, his father was an enemy of ours with the Republic but then swore to take the Republic on. Though he did not become a part of our resistance, we have taken his son to use him for our own advantage. Not that there is much to worry about I doubt the Republic knows we are here. Or even that we exist."
"I see. Master it was good catching up with you but if you have a moment later on it will probably serve better to have this conversation in private instead of a com link." Reevax stated bluntly.
"True," His master agreed then hmphed. "I just do not know when we can get a moment. I am also trying to work on and set up a project to turn and convert Jedi Knights to our cause, but I suppose that is something else for later conversations."
"Indeed Master…May the Force be with you." He said, not believing it himself but knowing that his Master did.
"You too Commander," His master replied before the screen darkened.
Reevax sighed before sitting down and getting back to some of the reports he had to read.
Neutral trading world
John, Sora and the Marine were walking down the main bazaar of the trading world hoping to pick up any signs of Death or the dreadnaught.
They were in 'traveling cloaks' of sorts as they moved silently through the marketplace. They got curious stares, but most of the people seemed to ignore them. Their weapons were well hidden, lightsabers in the case of John and Sora, and a pistol in the case of their companion.
Sora moved off to one of the tables and picked up a piece of fruit and looked at it appraisingly. John rolled his eyes before heading over and grabbing her hand slightly and shook his head.
"Sorry, no money to pay." John muttered at the clerk in Galactic Basic hoping that would not give them away.
"What was that for?" Sora whispered sounding hurt.
"We are here to gather intelligence and not shop." John hissed.
"Oh right…" Sora started. "But what do people here do? They shop and trade for food and supplies. People come here to shop, and the only way we are going to gather any intelligence is to talk with people!"
John blushed slightly, hoping that Sora could not see it in the twilight. "Yeah but"his head snapped around as he picked up a tremor of worry in the Force. "Did you pick that up?"
"Yeah I got it." Sora replied letting go of him and looking around.
John peered into the darkness trying to pick out where the feeling came from.
He singled to the Marine who went around down one of the side streets then cut rapidly down another his hand moving to his waist.
John and Sora moved carefully through the crowd moving in on their target, who must have known they were there because he picked up his speed to compensate.
Sora and John traded a look but kept back, letting events develop.
The Marine came out up ahead and the man they were trailing tried to turn back, only to see John and Sora tagging up from the rear.
John reached for his waistband and shot the man a look stopping him in his tracks.
He saw the man sigh slightly.
"Why were you trying to run?" John asked curiously approaching the man; the Marine took up a covering position.
The man sighed, "Because I fear for my life. If someone were to see me talking with you about anything my life would be in jeopardy. They have spies everywhere. "
"Who's they?" Sora whispered conspiratorially.
"The Alliance, the people you are at war with. I do not want to take sides but frankly you are the first people from the Republic I have seen and the Alliance is here all the time getting supplies." The man talked in hushed tones but not a full whisper.
John looked over the man, he was…opulent…obviously well fed with his pants and shirt straining to match his size.
"For example?" John wondered aloud hoping that this could be their break.
"A platoon of soldiers led by an officer came by here three days ago. They claimed to be a part of a dreadnaught that was traveling through the area and was trying to obtain equipment that their ship needed to function." The man explained.
"Really? Did they say where they were going?" Sora asked catching on.
The man shrugged "not that they told me, but my guess would be for the front. I just did business with them and they left. I knew that anyone from the Republic would be more than interested in that piece of information."
"How do you know we are from the Republic?" John's eyes narrowed for a second.
The man smiled, "you are clearly not from around here we know most of the people on the planet that come here… very small population you see. The Alliance tends to make their presence known by military might. I figured if you wanted to try and blend in that you would be from the Republic." He Shrugged. "Looks like I was right."
"Thank you for the information, here," John fished into his pocket for a couple of coins and handed them to the man.
"Thank you." The man bowed before heading off.
"Well, our first lead." John looked at his two subordinates.
"But they were here three days ago." Sora replied glumly.
"Does not mean we can't track them, especially if they are in a dreadnaught, we can still find them." The Marine offered.
John nodded. "Very well, let's do it." The three of them moved off into the gathering darkness.