An Intriguing Offer [Talau, NPCs]

[Mara]

[... coming from Shipyards]


After spending a few days on a public transport, it felt good to stretch his legs. It seemed that, even though they were built for most beings, comfort was not in the top of their list. Ean walked to the back of the ship and picked up his bags before departing. He couldn't help letting out a whistle as he finally got a good look at his surroundings.

Coruscant, the city planet. He had heard rumors, but, wow. This place was the epitome of hustle and bustle. His days in Coronet City in Corellia paled in comparison to just one sector of this planet. There were beings and ships everywhere.

Finally Ean turned away from the view and paid more attention to what he was doing. It wouldn't do for a bounty hunter of his status to be seen gawking like a schoolboy discovering girls for the first time. He had work to do, people to meet.

Ean walked from the spaceport a fair distance before hailing an airtaxi. He had a reputation to keep, after all. The ride went surprisingly smooth and quick after he told the driver where he was headed. Obviously the Rodian had thought a good tip was in it for him as he drove to one of the swankiest districts in Galactic City, one of the areas that actually could see the natural sunlight pouring down.

He was glad for the smooth ride; Ean could relax and take in a few more sights during the trip to his hotel that wouldn't be seem as completely touristy. They drove past many skyhooks, where he had heard the rich and powerful lived. He thought that maybe sometime he would have to buy himself a unit in one of those, just in case he was ever back in Coruscant. An investment for the future. Ean smiled to himself as he noticed some of the other landmarks, the Place, the Senate building, the Jedi Temple: all things he had heard about it and learned about but never really could grasp the existence of living on Corellia.

Once the airtaxi dropped him off at the Crystal Spire, Ean paid the driver handsomely for his quick and smooth drive and excellent service. Then he headed inside to the lobby to get a reservation for a room. Not knowing how long he'd be on-planet for, the large bounty hunter paid for a couple of days. He could always add to it later.

Up in his room on one of the upper levels--he had thought paying for the penthouse would be a little too extravagant--Ean began unpacking his few belongings, well, just the ones he would need right away. He pulled out some fresh clothes and laid them out on the bed before disappearing into the refresher to get cleaned up. A few days on a public transport didn't give one many opportunities for hygiene.

Showered but not shaved (he liked to keep a bit of a shadow on his face), Ean pulled on his clean clothes: gray trousers with a white shirt that he tucked in and then put his well-worn nerf-hide boots on. Forgoing his vest to appear more "professional" he shucked on his nerf-leather jacket. The last thing to do was to belt on his blaster and holster, hang the heavy pistol in the holster and armor himself with a array of smaller hidden weapons. Ean was never without options, something he learner in his trade.

As ready as he could be, Ean took a final look around his room, making sure it was tidy before exiting his room and taking the turbolift down. He asked at the desk for directions to the Republic Military HQ and then hired another airtaxi to take him there. Surprisingly, the same Rodian was waiting outside near the entrance, but Ean made sure to hire a different driver. It didn't hurt to cover his tracks.

Dropped off at the HQ, he again paid his driver extra and walked up towards the entrance with a bit of casualness in his step. He was, after all, not military personnel. Ean kept his pace slow, though he was eager to find out why this Colonel had called him and how exactly he got his personal comm number. It was not exactly something he gave out easily.

He made his way inside and introduced himself at the desk with as little information as possible, simply stating that Colonel Vinay was expecting him. With a dubious glance, the secretary checked up on his information and then waved him back towards the Colonel's office with a surprised look on her face. Ean winked at the woman before heading down the indicated hall to the Mirialan Colonel's office. The secretary had called ahead so he just went inside without preamble. He wasn't known for his delicacy anyway.

Ean nodded at the Mirialan sitting behind his desk. "Ean Stenner, at your service." He stood in a relaxed pose, crossing his arms over his large chest. This would give the Colonel an idea of his imposing size and would also keep his hand away from his blaster.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

The whole ordeal had turned into a mess of epic proportions.

Vinay had been so smug when the chiefs of staff had decided to use the bloody infuriating Borgonia woman as an example to the sith and the people of the Republic that the government wasn't as weak willed as everyone thought them to be. She'd given him too much lip over the years anyway, and since she'd offered her head up for the chopping block, his was out of danger. Many of the Senators had even jumped aboard the bandwagon to the tune of "If we don't stop her now, she'll end up just like her brother...running to the sith with all our secrets!" Not that the woman had many secrets to give away...she was only a Major after all, but it was a good rally cry.

The trial had gone good enough as well. They had all the 'witnesses' lined up, and all the key 'evidence' was there...minus a few pieces that might have given the woman a leg up, like that Vorlax incident. It had only been made sweeter when she'd practically condemned herself with the truth serum. Obviously the popular outcry had been for her death...and at the end of the next day, the populace got what they'd been hoping for. The media had eaten up the news that the pretty young major was going to be put to death by firing squad the next morning. That, however, was when everything had gone horribly wrong.

It had become a circus when the 30 year old woman had been on her way to the firing squad with the guards and who they thought was the jedi escort sent to keep an eye out for the dark jedi she'd saved. They knew he'd saved her life before, so they hadn't put it past him to show up to try and save her again...they HADN'T, however, taken into account that he might be masquerading AS the jedi escort itself! It was unheard of!

It was perfect.

Things had gone from bad to worse when the two had been aided by a sniper and his AER droid, pinning it as one of the Republic's own snipers. They hadn't let THAT leak to the media. The odd part was the fact that not only had the sniper been sure to not kill anyone, but the dark jedi had killed all the woman's guards...except one...who he'd given the choice to live or not by running for his life. They had then spoken for a moment...appearing very 'close' by what the cameras showed...and then run for the guard tower. The Jedi had taken up a position to block the blaster fire aimed at them, the droid had come to their aid shocking guard and hound alike then opened the inner door for them, then the jedi had rid himself of one of his two sabers...supposedly the woman had used it to cut her way out of the second door...the jedi had done...something...that made the guards and hound drop like flies, and the woman had returned for him!

The worst part? THEY HAD SURVIVED!

How? The bloody Borgonia woman had managed to drag/carry the man AND the droid to a STILL RUNNING prisoner transport and then out into the city...and down past the smog of the lower levels of Coruscant! The media had a field day after that, raising all manner of questions about how and when and why and then there had been the incident with the Spyglass as it was sent to search for them. The two had destroyed the transport they had taken, then there had been numerous reports of seeing one or the other or both criminals in the lower city over the past few days. All of this culminated with the slaughter of a small squad of soldiers and a dark jedi and the discovery of a man in a state of dementia no one had ever seen before...all centered around a cantina.

As if that hadn't been bad enough, there had been the crash of the Queen of Onderon and Corellia's Prince Rook's disappearance to find her from the Senator's Gala only a night ago. Luckily none of them had been any worse for the wear, but it reeked of the Dark Jedi and former Major Borgonia.

That had been the final straw.

Sure, the jedi had sent out their best to search for the two, but they wouldn't be fast enough...the jedi were always too slow. No, he needed results and he needed them fast.

Through the pulling of many many strings, and more than one personal favor, not to mention a few bribes, the Colonel had found his man. A bounty hunter known for getting the best of the best...dark jedi, sith aristocrat, pirate lords, crime lords....you name it he'd caught it or killed it....or both.

Dark eyes watched the man enter, and he stood, bringing a dark green hand to his head in a salute before sitting down once again and motioning to a seat across from him. The human obviously was trying to seem bigger than he really was...not that he was a small man to begin with...but the Colonel really could care less.

A pleasure Mr. Stenner. I'm Colonel Vinay. I'm glad you got here so swiftly...things are getting out of hand around here and I hear you're the best of the best.

[Mara]

(((Lol.... Ean has a better rep. than he thought.... or I thought. )))


Ean noticed the gesture and sat down in the proffered chair, resting his arms on the armrests and sitting back against the chair. He ignored the salute; he wasn't military, and this man had no authority over him. This colonel was just a means to an ends, so to speak.

He nodded after Vinay spoke. "Yes, I understood so from your message. A runaway major, you said?" Ean raised his brow in amusement. How the military could lose anybody, even an officer, was laughable. Yes, he didn't know the whole story, but he couldn't help but let his mouth form into a grin for a brief moment.

The 'best of the best', well, well, his reputation really was getting around as much as Ean had thought. He would really have to try to impress this man, though. Because he was certain, if this problem really was as terrible as the colonel made it to be, he would have other bounty hunters and headhunters on standby, if Ean were to pass on the offer. So he would try to remain as professional as someone in his profession could and not show any of his shortcomings that he knew were also there.

He cleared his throat. "You flatter me with your remarks, Colonel. I hope I can be of assistance with your... problem."

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

The Colonel grunted at the man's words.

If she were simply a 'runaway' as you put it, I wouldn't have needed to contact you.

The man stated bluntly, folding his hands before him on the desk. He gazed at the man before him seriously for a moment before explaining the situation to him.

The problem is this...The former major seems to have acquired herself a dark jedi protector. I don't know if you've been watching the HNN, but she had been sentenced to death. The day it was set to happen, she was rescued by a known dark jedi, Vex Praetor. Since then they've been nothing but a thorn in our side. We're not certain if the two are still here on Coruscant or not since we've not heard anything that might be related to them since the Queen of Onderon and Prince Rook were returned to the Senator's Gala the night before last.

Aunna Borgonia is not a woman to be trifled with on her own, let alone with a dark jedi around her. Chances are she will be heading to meet up with her brother, who is part of the Sith military now, and had headed up the fleet that attacked Mygeeto. I'm hoping that you can at least capture the woman alive, and perhaps kill Praetor along the way.

With that, he fell silent once more, allowing the human to absorb the new information.

[Mara]

Feeling that he was about to get a good story, Ean leaned back in his chair, removing one hand from the armest to press it inside the pocket of his jacket. He dearly hoped it wouldn't be a long run because he knew his attention span wasn't the greatest. Even his mother knew that, which is why she made her lessons, even the cooking ones, short and sweet. Ean peeled his eyes away from looking around the office and focused on the Mirialan before him. If he zoned, at least it would look like he was listening.

Fortunately for him, the Colonel got right to the point. So a dark Jedi was with the major. Interesting. Despite the many rumors floating around about him, Ean had never actually come across one of them before. At least not in a predator-prey situation. Yes, this would be mighty interesting for him to pull off. Generally his subjects were loners, so just the fact that he would be after a duo, would put some creases in any plans. And added to that the power they both obviously had, power of connections and power of the Force, it would be a bit challenging, even for him. But Ean always liked a good challenge.

It didn't matter to him why she was sentenced to death; only that she needed to be brought back. And alive, the Colonel wanted her. Probably would be more morale-inspiring to publicly hang her, thought Ean. The military was nothing if not reliable. To Ean, it seemed the most challenging part, besides the prey themselves, would be locating them. Especially since he had to use public transportation to track him. He really needed to get himself his own transport...

He nodded when the Colonel finished his story and was about to ask about the means of payment, when something crossed his mind again. Something the other being had said earlier. Ah, yes, the business with the queen and the party. Ean needed more information about that, if only to garner more information on the duo he would be tracking.

Lifting a finger from his free arm, he scratched an itch near his temple before folding both hands in his lap. "They were involved in this abduction of the queen?" From what he had heard, this woman certainly had connections, including her brother fighting for the other side, but a queen, too? He needed to get this sorted out.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

((urk...you had to ask me the about the one thing that hasn't happened yet ))

Vinay sighed slightly and shook his head at the question. He honestly didn't know what to say to that question as he didn't fully know himself. One green hand ran the length of his face as he thought over the question's answer.

According to reports from the Prince of Corellia who supposedly saw her ship go down, there were some sort of explosions or the ship was fired upon or something...he was rather unclear at the time. However, this would lead us to believe that they were not directly involved in the kidnapping, especially since Queen Sali and Prince Rook and the Queen's jedi escort seemed to be returned safely....we're yet uncertain if the jedi had something to do with that, or if Prince Rook did. They refused to say much on the subject, though we're still trying to get information from them.

Vinay scratched the back of his neck a moment as he thought on the subject further.

Apparently Prince Rook and the traitor know each other from Corellia. That is her home planet and her family is a well known military and low ranking noble family connected to the crown...so it wouldn't surprise me if the prince was trying to keep her involvement quiet, but so far as I know Borgonia doesn't know the queen in any way aside from the incident in question....nor does she know the jedi.

[Mara]

He nodded, trying to absorb this new information. So the woman would have even more possible contacts in case of emergency. More places for him to look for her. This would indeed be a challenging mission; a lot more difficult than finding that Sullustan he had just turned in. He had taken Ean only on a chase involving two or three planets over the last couple months. He was thinking that this new challenge may take even longer, especially if there was so many places for the former major to hide.

Ean cleared his throat. "So you're saying she could still be on Coruscant, returned back to Corellia or somewhere out around Mygeeto or elsewhere to see her brother." Imitating a motion he had seen others do, thinking to appear smart, he steepled his fingers and tapped his nose with his two pointer fingers. Coruscant would be enough of a challenge with all the nooks and crannies to hide in. Though he wasn't particularly fond of returning back to his home planet, it would be nice to see ol' Corellia again. And there weren't quite as many places to hide, which was hiding something. He also was hoping for Corellia because Ean didn't want to get involved in some space battle, especially not without his own ship and firepower.

Quieting his fingers, he added, "Let me get to the heart of this." At least, Ean thought he understand the mission but a little clarification never hurt anyone. "You want me to hunt down and bring back this major alive, kill the Jedi if I can, looking for her at any number of hiding places in the galaxy... Can you at least, to the best you can, figure out where she is most likely to head? And to any weapons she is carrying? I need to know what I can expect. Besides the Jedi fella."

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

The colonel nodded slightly at the man's assessment of the situation. It was a sticky predicament to say the least, but that was why he was willing to pay well for it. As Ean asked his questions, Vinay listened, his eyes half lidded as he mulled over the answers he could give the man.

Yes, we want her alive, and yes if you can kill the jedi that would be best.

Your best be would most likely be to try and find her on her way to Mygeeto....if the sith are still there that is. Chances are she will head to him for protection or information, or perhaps both. After that I would try Corellia or Manaan. There is...superficial evidence...on Manaan that she might think could help her case against the judgment of 'traitor'....Corellia is obvious since she has family there and at least one connection to the prince.

As for weapons...most likely only a blaster, perhaps a dagger...from the reports I have, the transport they stole had minimal weapons in store...and none that she can fight overly well with. From her last weapons testing, she is mainly a melee fighter with decent CQC stats but is low on long ranged weapons use. Your biggest problem would be the jedi. It seems he deals heavily in the mental arenas of the force and wields dual sabers. This could become a problem if he decided to give her one for use like he did in the facility, but it seems unlikely.

With those answered, the colonel watched the other man for a moment before speaking again.

Do you have any other questions or concerns Mr. Stenner? Is there a way we might be able to help you in her capture?

[Mara]

Ean listened quietly as the colonel answered his questions. As he gave out more details about the missing major, he was gradually thinking that this job may not be as difficult as originally assumed. Yes, he would have to go on a wild gundark chase just to find the woman, but that would seemingly be the most difficult part of the whole mission. And it generally was for his other missions as well. After he found his prey, it was relatively easy to bring them down, dead or alive, for his clients. No one ever suspected him; his was a fairly nondescript face, and he could blend in easily into most crowds, depending on how much visible weaponry he carried. He would try as the colonel suggested and head for Mygeeto.

When the colonel brought up the prey's various skills, Ean sat up slightly. This is what he really needed to know. Because after he found her, he needed to know how best to take her down. He nodded in appreciation; she had little weapons to speak of. This could be easier than he had thought. The only problem might be that wildcard of a dark Jedi with her. That was something he hadn't had to deal with. He had no experience trying to counter that laser weapon they were always swinging around. But with what the colonel was saying about the major, the sword might not be too dangerous in her hands anyway.

His best bet would be to quickly tranquilize the major from a hidden distance and then recover her, doing his best to avoid or fight off the dark Jedi if he was near. With the major knocked out, he would have one less distraction. Ean couldn't try to fend off the Jedi while the major was still running around causing chaos, as she would most likely do. He would have to watch them for a while and figure out their schedule. His best chance of getting her out would be to have her alone.

Glancing up at the colonel, he remained in his thoughts for a moment. Was there anything else he needed? He thought he had everything: a place to start looking for the major, plus information on any personal weapons and contacts the duo might be using. Generally, this was a lot more information than he usually got. However, he was working for the Republic now.

He had all the credits and weapons he could ever need. So what else could he possibly want to aid in this job? Something finally clicked in his mind. A ship! If he didn't have to rely on personal transportation, he could move a lot more freely from place to place, especially if he didn't find them at Mygeeto.

Ean smiled at Colonel Vinay, knowing that he would given the bounty hunter anything if it meant getting the treasonous Major Borgonia back. "I find myself without a personal transport right now. If you had something spare I could use..."

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Vinay had actually thought that Ean might have asked for something like that, so the Colonel had been prepared. Pressing a button on his com-system, a young woman's voice echoed across it.

Yes Colonel?

Samantha...would you come here please? I would like you to escort Mr Stenner to the docking pads to chose his ship.

Of course sir.

Vinay looked to the human quietly for a moment before speaking.

I thought you might just ask for a transport so I had several brought in from decommission for you. Samantha was Miss Borgonia's secretary on Manaan while the former major was there. I believe she may be of some use to you.

At that moment a rather harassed looking secretary practically fell through the door, skidding on the tiled floor. Pressing her lips together the strawberry blond blushed profusely and knocked timidly on the open door.

S-sorry sir, I was in such a rush...um...You must be Mr. Stenner. I'm Samantha.

Walking in with her khaki green, military issue, pencil line skirt, pumps, and tan blouse, she looked every inch the military bombshell, her hair pulled up into a graceful bun and tied neatly behind her to top the image off. Clutching her clipboard to her chest with one arm and extending the other for Ean to shake, she gave of the strangest aura of shy confidence, which was only accentuated by her swift, deliberate, words that were half stammered apologies and actions that seemed so flawlessly executed one couldn't quite decide if her bumbling nature was an act or just for show.

The colonel, seemingly unperturbed by the secretary's arrival, simply waved her off as if to say that Ean was her situation now. Indeed that was very much what the action meant. Taking it as such, Samantha beamed a nervous smile at the bounty hunter and nodded.

Well, we best be off then Mr Stenner. If you'll follow me please...

With that, she turned on her heel and proceeded from the room without delay.

[Mara]

The colonel had known he was without his own ship? Did he know that only traveled to jobs like a mere civilian on the way to work? Ean began to feel slightly nervous despite his calm outer demeanor. He wasn't liking how much about himself this colonel seemed to know about him. But he would just have to play it cool. Smile and nod.

"Thank you, Colonel. I--" Ean had to stop after Colonel Vinay went on. A secretary? Was this the Republic's fool idea of babysitting him to make sure he got his job done right? Hells no, he wouldn't let them pull this off on him. After he got his ship, he would be leaving. Alone.

Hearing a ruckus at the door, he stood up just as the flustered young woman was apologizing. Ean gave himself a moment to look her over before taking her hand and giving it a firm shake. "Yes. Nice to meet you." She was pleasing to the eye, he had to given the colonel some props for that. And to the major, he supposed, for choosing her in the first place. Maybe using her to find himself a decent ship wouldn't be such a wash after all. If all else failed, he might at least get her to reveal a few secrets about Major Borgonia. Or have a few moments with a beautiful woman before he left on his search.

Raising an eyebrow at the colonel, he nodded slightly before departing the office. The colonel had his comm number, obviously. If he needed him again, he would call. He stayed a few paces behind Samantha as she led him down through the hallways. Stuffing his hands in the pockets of his nerf-leather jacket, he enjoyed the view.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Once they were a sufficient distance from the Colonel's office, Samantha slowed slightly and sighed, shaking her head a bit and dropping back to walk beside the man she was leading to the docking bay.

So sorry about that...he makes me so jumpy though. That, and you're the third mercenary/bounty hunter he's had me take to the docking bays. I swear, none of you seem to like to have your own ships do you? That or you just like ours better...I'm not sure which.

Samantha let out a light chuckle and shook her head again. Honestly, she hated the colonel with a passion. She'd seen Aunna shortly after her argument with the man the day after her discharge from the medical bay on Manaan and it had given the young woman quite a shock to see the typically calm major seem so...out of sorts. It made the secretary wonder just what had gone on between the two of them. It didn't help that the colonel seemed to have not only played a large roll in gathering the evidence against the former major, but also in tracking her down now. After a seemingly uncharacteristic silence from the young blond, she gave Ean a bright smile and a little wink.

So...I suppose you have questions then. I doubt the Colonel failed to mention that I worked with the former major.....he's quite....thorough....in that regard.

Turning down a new hallway, the secretary led him past several large windows overlooking the docking bay and the wing of the base that lay parallel to the one they were in.

[Mara]

Keeping his hands pocketed, Ean glanced at the woman out of the corner of his eye. The woman who probably knew his prey better than anyone else. And yet was here and not out there with her. It was obvious to him that a lot more than just the colonel was making her jumpy. He could just tell by her posture, reading her like he did all of his hunted prey.

Ean tried a small smile, an attempt at humor. "All military types can make me jumpy." Then he turned serious. "Three, eh? Are they all also..." He removed a hand and waved it around, trying to think of the word he needed. "Searching for this major?" Ean kept quiet then, seeing that Samantha was lost in her thoughts and also not bringing up the subject of the ship requisitions. Especially since it seemed he was not the only one to be asking for the same thing, albeit probably for a different reason.

He smiled back at her again when she broke from her reverie. Ean had indeed been just thinking about that very thing. "For now I will just start with asking why you are here, and not with her."

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Samantha simply sighed at his question, her grey eyes darkening slightly as she shook her head.

I would assume so, but I'm not given much information. However, given the Colonel's rather...single minded...hunt for Aunna, it would be the best assumption that they are looking for her as well, yes.

She replied, gripping the edges of her clipboard, already pulled tightly to her chest, with an even more iron grip. It made her so angry that something like this would happen. It was bad enough that the major had been kidnapped, but then to have her arrested, tried, and found guilty of treason?! The blond could hardly believe such a thing of the major...never, NEVER, had the woman done ANYTHING against the Republic! Why should she start now?! At Ean's question, however, Samantha stopped abruptly in her tracks and glared daggers at the man, all evidence of the bubbly and dunderheaded blond secretary gone.

Why? Simply put, because I don't have a reason to be. I wasn't the one arrested for treason. I have a job and my own life to take care of.

Samantha retorted rather snipily before starting off again as she regained control of her temper once more. Really, who did he think she was, a spy for the major? As good as an idea as that might have been, Samantha didn't have the slightest clue as to where the major was, or how to contact her, so there was no way she could do something like that anyway. Besides, Aunna was a clever enough woman on her own, and with that dark jedi with her...well...it seemed that the two could be unstoppable if they played their cards right. What use could SHE be to them, and why the hell should she follow them around like some lost little puppy dog? No...the blond knew that if she ever wanted to try and help the major she needed to stay here and not go waltzing around the galaxy trying to find them.

Sorry about that, but it just...the whole situation irritates me to no end. I can't tell you the number of times I've had to repeat the same answers over and over. It's enough to make a girl feel homicidal.

The last part, of course, was more joke than truth, but there were times when she felt like taking a blaster to some of the heads of the officers around here.

I get no end to the grief from these people because I worked with her...

Samantha sighed and shook her head. Why had all of this happened?

I just wish I could ask her why she got tangled up with that dark jedi in the first place. There's so much that just doesn't fit together right.

[Mara]

Ean nodded at her answer as they walked along. It made sense to him that the colonel would not be relying solely on his abilities for the capture of this major. Even so, the man felt a little put out about it all. Not that he really wanted to feel special, no, that was for spoiled brats like... He shook the memories from his head; it would only serve to make him angry, and he didn't want to tip off this woman. She seemed close to the edge.

Oh, well, he would deal with the other bounty hunters anyway. Now that he would have his own transportation, they would all be on equal ground, or so they thought. Ean had a lot more tricks up his sleeves, tricks he hadn't yet put on display even being in the business for a few years.

His thoughts were interrupted as the woman stopped in her tracks and glared at him. Yep... she was a ticking time bomb, that one. Ean just listened to her little rant with some amusement. There were a lot of things he could say in reply, like how even if she wasn't the one arrested, why she would abandon her employer. That, if her job had been to be the major's secretary, wouldn't her job be to stay with her? But it wasn't worth it to Ean to do so. He was Corellian, but even he wouldn't gamble his life that far.

Though, perhaps her little spunkiness could be put to some use... Ean filed the information away for later.

He just simply smiled back at her as she apologized. He didn't doubt for one second that she was capable of violence; he just didn't think she would be successful at all. Especially against him. "I understand," he said, just for something to say.

As they made their way down into the main floor of the hangar, he added, "Perhaps when I bring her back, you can ask her personally." He glanced at her with a raised eyebrow before turning his focus to the array of ships standing before him.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Samantha sighed and shook her head slightly. Maybe he understood...but she doubted it. No one had really gotten to know the former major as well as she had. The woman had quite a history, and the fact that something...someone...had been stalking her through the galaxy hadn't made things any better. As he added his last statement, the blond chewed on her inner lip for a moment vacillating between anger and fear. The last thing she wanted was for Aunna to be caught and brought back.

I...I don't think that would be a good idea, Mr. Stenner. I'm one of the few people who just doesn't believe she's guilty....besides...Aunna...

The woman paused in her words a moment and sighed as she started walking again.

She's one of the few people who really just doesn't deserve something like this to happen to her. If you met her, you'd understand. I don't even know how to explain it...there's just something about her that's...DIFFERENT...than everyone else. Like she sees things about people that no one else sees. I don't know...maybe that's what got her into all this trouble in the end, but she just sees the good...the potential...in people that everyone else misses.

Samantha tapped her nails on her clipboard as they came to a stop at the ships they held in docking for Ean to choose from. There were two fighters, a freighter, and a blockade runner. The others had all chosen fighters...pity really...the freighter and the runner had the most potential if you asked her, but then again, she'd grown up on a freighter, and had spent a bit of time on a blockade runner before her stint under Aunna's command.

Well...there they are...take your pick, Mr. Stenner.

Her tone had become rather cool toward the man. In all honesty she didn't like dealing with mercenaries, and though Ean had been the most civil, he had also managed to make her the most angry. Like most of the soldiers that had been under Major Borgonia's command, Samantha found the woman's arrest, trial, and subsequent conviction to be a sore subject. In talking to the others at the base who had been under her direct command since Selonia, and before, Samantha had found that none had ever really had any complaints about the Major's actions, orders, or treatment of them...quite the opposite. It seemed she had managed to garner quite a good standing among her men, acting "more like an enlisted than an officer" and seeming to understand what stresses and issues her underlings were going through..."sometimes even before we knew them ourselves"...and dealing with the problems accordingly. It was this mentality that Samantha found herself wrestling with now, forced into serving under one of the men who had called for the highest penalty to be brought against the blue eyed woman upon her eminent conviction.

Mr. Stenner...may I ask you something?

Samantha turned grey orbs toward the man beside her seriously, barely looking at him from the corners of her eyes.

[Mara]

He turned to her before looking more fully over the line of ships. Ean sympathized with her in a way. He knew it was hard to lose someone who you thought the galaxy of. Of course, his mother hadn't been an alleged traitor to the Republic, but she was still special to him. A deep hole in his heart. "It's not my job to judge her, guilty or not. I'm just here to bring her in. The authorities will deal with her."

Ean shrugged, effectively ending the trail of thought for himself. He didn't need to think about all the politics surrounding this affair, nor could he afford to let himself feel sorry for this woman. For all he knew, Major Borgonia really was a traitor, but this secretary was too blinded by her feelings to realize it. He saw it more times than he cared for: underlings with rose-colored goggles covering up the dirty deeds their masters were performing. Years ago, he had to take care of a couple of these types. Ean shook the memory away. It was time to focus elsewhere.

Walking a few paces forward, he studied the ships arrayed in front of him. Not a whole lot of choice: fighter, freighter or a blockade runner. He studied them quietly, putting on an air of knowledge about the ships that he didn't have. But he could still figure out which would serve his needs on a cursory glance, even if he didn't know about the ins and outs. Obviously the blockade runner was out. Much too large to serve his purposes; he was just one man. And the fighters were on the opposite end of the spectrum. They only fit one or maybe two beings, and he knew he would need more room, not just for beings, but for his weapons and other items. So the only thing left was the freighter.

He walked closer to the freighter, running his eyes over it. As far as he could tell, it looked in running order. Plus, he didn't expect the Republic to let its ships run into disrepair, especially ones they were using to capture one of their own, one they so desperately wanted back. But Ean's thoughts were interrupted by the secretary, and he turned to look at her. He nodded. "Go ahead." He crossed his arms over his chest. "But then you must answer one of mine."

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

I...understand.

She replied to his first statement. As much as she didn't like it, Samantha DID understand. He hadn't been hired to THINK about getting Aunna back....and in reality, thinking about it would only make things worse for him. One didn't last long in most businesses if they had a heart. Samantha had found that out the hard way, and now it seemed that perhaps Aunna had as well. Brushing the thought away, she watched him eying the ships and withheld a bemused chuckle. He had no idea what he was looking at. Well...she supposed not everyone had grown up with a mechanic and smuggler for a father. This wasn't to say that Sam herself knew much more about how to FIX ships, but she knew how to find problems easily enough.

The woman was mildly pleased when he passed by the blockade runner. At least he had some sense. It was much too big...unless he was planning on turning pirate and had a crew to fit it. She doubted that somehow. He didn't seem the 'crew' type...not a people person. He had turned to the fighters by now and she was amused to see him mentally shrug them off as well. THAT was a surprise. Well, then again, not really...the others had just been DUMB. They could haul one passenger in the fighter, but not two, and not if one of them was a dark jedi and the other was a wily former military officer. They'd have their hands full enough with ONE of the two...never mind BOTH of them...and in the same seat practically? THAT would be a laugh and a half. Ean stepped toward the freighter then, sweeping his eyes over it and she let out a weary sigh.

Good choice with that one...but be careful. One of the landing struts had to be replaced recently so it's still a bit stiff, especially compared to the others. It might give you a bit of trouble, but other than that she's in pretty good condition.

The woman doubted that would mean much to the man, but oh well. As he gave her the go ahead to ask him a question, she blinked, having momentarily forgotten just WHAT that question had been. It only took her a millisecond to remember however, and she nodded in agreement. It was an even trade.

Do you believe that someone can be TOO good?

[Mara]

He absorbed what the secretary Samantha explained to him about the freighter, nodding. She agreed with his choice, it seemed, but the freighter still had a small problem. Ean briefly wondered on his capability to use the autopilot even with the stiff landing strut. He didn't doubt the autopilot's skill, but he was sure that it was only recommended to use during hyperspace or even regular sublight, but definitely not for landing. And that was something he knew he couldn't do himself. However, he also knew he couldn't let on to the extent, or lack thereof, of his piloting skills.

She had already answered his previous question. With her agreeing that the freighter was a good choice and all. No sweat, though. He could think of something else while she asked her own question.

Ean shrugged, after he pondered her question. He got right to the point, not wanting or needing to dwell philosophically on the subject. "Honestly, lady, in my experience, I've never had to wrestle with that problem. Nobody's perfect, and most aren't even close by a long-shot."

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Sammy agreed. No one was perfect, that was true, but that didn't change the question that was beginning to weigh on her mind. Shrugging off the subject, and thus the reply, she glanced down at her clipboard, pulling a pen from the top of it and checking off a few items on her, seemingly never ending, list of things to do.

You said you had a question in return?

She asked, glossing over his reply smoothly. It just wasn't worth it to her to reply to that, and besides...she had no real reply FOR it. What was there to say? Movement at the other end of the hangers brought grey eyes around to notice the pilots stationed here heading toward their respective fighters to do tune ups. Huffing slightly, she shifted her weight to one foot and blinked at him shrewdly. There was little time left to be dealing with this mercenary man if she wanted to even HOPE to get HALF the things on her "to do" list done in any sort of timely manner to the caliber they required of her.