The Pageantry of Fate [Thaddeus, Mal]

[Mara]

[...from x]

Riding in the airspeeder along the upper lanes of Coruscant, she found herself double- and triple-checking her harness. Though some time had passed, being in this kind of transport gave her flashbacks to when she had been kidnapped. When the Weequay had grabbed her, taken her through her window, and held her while they dropped to a waiting speeder below. And had proceeded to dart dangerously in and out of traffic while she was only half-conscious, hanging on for dear life. This trip, executed by her bodyguard, was infinitely more sedate, but Ina still instinctively gripped her seat with white knuckles.

The bodyguard was another thing she had had to get used to over the last few weeks since she had been rescued and returned home. Her friend Ofi, the avian AER droid who was her constant companion and protector had begrudgingly assented to Ina's idea that perhaps it would be best to enlist the help of some added security. Ofi was unquestionably talented and one of a kind, but having a living, breathing being by her side as well made her feel that much safer. There were some things that the droid just couldn't accomplish on her own with her small mechanical body. So far, from what the senator had seen, the new partnership between Ofi and Denton had been working out, as the two gradually got acquainted with their redefined roles. Awkwardness back on Omwat aside; it had been her first time off Coruscant since the kidnapping, after all.

But now, she was heading off once again, not to see a friend and attend an event for her hospital, but to do far greater work. Earlier, it had come to the Arkanian Offshoot's attention that the Ishi Tib on Tibrin were suffering from a famine of sorts brought on by an aggressive disease of unknown origin that was rapidly killing off their native food supply. She had passionately addressed her fellow senators more than once, one-on-one as well as during the more formal meetings in the Rotunda. However, her request that the Republic send aid to the Ishi Tib was met with resistance. Tibrin was an independent planet, and the Republic had more pressing needs among its own members with the war going on.

So that she was heading off at all this morning was a miracle in itself. Eventually she had garnered the bare minimum of support and was assigned a few crates of supplies. A ship that had come in recently to dock at Coruscant before returning to its appointment in the Outer Rim would deliver her to Tibrin. Even if it had all come into place because of mere coincidence, and perhaps because a few of her biggest opponents happy to have her away from the cityplanet for a while, Ina was willing to take whatever she could get. She just hoped that she would still be able to help, after the long delay in getting her plans in order.

Soon enough, the vehicle was guided lower as the naval dockyards came into view. Ina could see a large ship resting there; according to her sources it was named the Aegis. She felt it was a bit of providence, that she was going on an aid mission on a transport with such a significant epithet towards her personal goals in life. Despite the rather uneven way everything had come together to make this whole journey possible, she hoped it was an omen that from here on out it would be smooth sailing. Perhaps a tiding of the Force that the Jedi were always going on about but that she hadn't the capacity to completely comprehend.

After they landed in the designated area a prudent distance away from the bustling activity of the Aegis's berth, Ina took a deep breath, more than relieved to be on solid ground again. The senator allowed the bodyguard Denton to come around and open her door for her and help her out of the airspeeder. She stood waiting as he grabbed a couple of suitcases from the back of the vehicle. And at his nod of readiness, the Offshoot smiled and strode confidently towards the hubbub that was their destination, her face awash with expectation. Ofi took to the air and followed along a meter or so behind, all the avian droid's senses on high alert for her friend in the wide open area of the dockyards.

[Mal]

Mal and Ofi had finally come to an agreement, the droid realizing he wanted to help, and Mal accepting that this was difficult for the droid. It still didn't mean that he liked Ofi yet or that he ever would, but he digressed. This new job was taking some getting used to, he was more used to jumping in AFTER the attack happened. Now it was his job to prevent it. So far nothing of any real note had happened, just a few overt comments from political opponents that had been silenced by a murderous look or two from Mal. This had been one of the few moments that Ofi and Mal had agreed on anything, it had been entertaining to watch him turn around and walk the other way. He hoped that things stayed this boring while he was looking after her, it would either mean he was doing his job right, or that no one wanted to kill Ina. Either way, he was happy.

Of course after his date the previous night with Arjha... Well this trip off Coruscant was a wonderful change of pace, he'd had better dates in the middle of war zones. This included the run in he'd had with the Sith that gave him one of the scars on his cheek. But he was trying not to dwell on that, maybe he'd talk about it to Ina later if she was willing to talk.. But then again he was supposed to be protecting her from problems, not throwing his problems on her. So unloading on her was probably a bad idea, besides he didn't want Ofi to know... She'd enjoy it too much... Could droids even feel enjoyment? He'd have to remember to look it up later just to double check, but he was fairly sure that they could considering the two had joked about the politicians leaving whenever he gave them murderous looks.

Mal guided the speeder lower and started looking for a parking spot, while at the same time scanning the entire landing area and the surrounding buildings for anything that could be a threat. It was times like this that he wished he could spread his mind out and sense everything and everyone around them for miles. That would have made his job much easier, but as it stood he could only sense everything within twenty feet. His ability to tell what was what and who was who was increasing though, but not enough to be useful at a distance. For now his eyes and danger sense was all he needed, and he trusted them perfectly. Between himself and
Ofi, Ina was perfectly protected. Or at least that was what he tried to convince her of, he wanted her to feel safe around him.

Mal landed and stepped out to open Ina's door and help her out, flashing her a smile when he did. She waited for him while he grabbed their bags, he made sure to keep his left arm free, the arm that had the hold out blaster hidden up his sleeve. His senses spread out as far as he could stretch them, if something was going to happen, that hold out blaster would be in his hand and the threat neutralized before it could do any harm. He guessed it would actually have two holes in it, one from his blaster and one from Ofi's. The small group started heading for the commotion that was where they needed to go, and he glanced up at the ship. The Aegis, a fitting name all things considered, he was supposed to be Ina's shield after all.

[Thaddeus]

The day before Arkoh had arrived back on his ship with new orders, and it was apparent to all the officers and ratings that their captain was not overly pleased with the instructions. The Aegis had been given to the Senate for some mercy mission entirely unrelated to the war effort, and more over their Arkanian captain had added they were to deliver the cargo to an unaligned world. As the new day had dawned Arkoh was still unhappy with the task at hand, the dozen or so questions he had not been able to ask the Admiral when he was given the assignment still spun about his head: why a military vessel, surely a standard freighter would do? Why were they wasting resources on a backwater planet which was unaligned, and brought nothing to the war effort if they did join?

Of course the one question he had managed to ask, and receive an answer to, was why him and his ship? The answer: the Senator responsible for the mercy mission was the junior senator from Arkania, and it seemed good P.R. to the Navy for them to send an Arkanian. The nuances of Arkania however had eluded the media gurus at the Republic Naval Office of Public Relations, Arkoh was a pure Arkanian and the junior senator was an offshoot. From what he recalled of the Honourable Irrina Icharus Senator for Arkania the young lady was quite the reformer and agitator. Arkoh himself had abstained from voting in the elections, he did however had to endure his brother's many messages about the election. Sero had chewed his ear off about Irrina, and had even bucked tradition and voted for the young woman; though of course he kept that private, he had the company to think of after all.

Arkoh brushed his hair after the shower, and slowly and perfectly dressed himself in the Naval dress uniform. Mentally going over the details of the Senatorial party, there was the Senator of course, her droid (she was deaf apparently, and declined surgery... quite why puzzled him to no end. Still some people did like their crutches to bemoan he thought straightening a button), and her bodyguard (a former military type according to the files, and the impression his XO had of the man when he inspected the senator's quarters last night). A small party thankfully, Arkoh could not stand having to tend the egos of many senators - he had his hands full stoking his own. Since the orders had arrived yesterday the crew had been flat out getting everything aboard, and ensuring not a single bolt or epaulet was askew or out of place. The Aegis had been cleaned outside and inside, and her regular mechanical service advanced - if there was one upside to this mission Arkoh thought it was that.

Arkoh tightened his dark black belt and adjusted the silver buckle, took in his half finished appearance in the mirror, and then continued getting ready. Another slight upside he thought to himself was that the mission promised no trouble. The hyperspace lanes to Tibrin were well traveled, and far from the front lines of the war, and it was doubtful that pirates would want to take on an armed Republic frigate. All in all it would take the Aegis just 3 days to reach Tibrin, unload, and return. Well actually slightly under three days, but Arkoh figured that the Senator no doubt had meetings planned when they arrived. Meetings he hoped for the love of everything she would not ask him to attend.

He slipped on his knee high boots, checked how he looked in the mirror and made a few minor adjustments, walking to his desk he grabbed his cigarette case and slipped it into his breast pocket before leaving his quarters. The men along the way to the boarding ramp saluted their captain, and Arkoh's white eyes quickly looked over their uniforms before giving a nod. He reached the boarding ramp just as the senator's vehicle touched down, Arkoh nodded at his officers and together with a detail of marines they made their way to the bottom of the ramp. Arkoh's officers lined up at the foot of the ramp next to their captain, and the marines formed a colonnade of blue and silver leading towards them. Arkoh noticed the man seemed to be bedecked with a few bags, he nodded to two of the marines and saluting they jogged up to the man,

"We can take those sir." The snapped their heels together and saluted before reaching and taking the luggage. As the Senator and her entourage approached the assembled officers and marines a boatswain's pipe rung out, piping aboard the official group. Arkoh stepped forward and saluted the senator perfectly, "Captain Arkoh Altunen, Senator allow me to welcome you aboard the Aegis, my bridge crew." A manicured hand indicated the officers, and he lead the senator along each saluting and introducing themselves in turn. Arkoh approved, his men where at their best and looked it, though of course he knew none of them looked half as stunning as he did - but then none of them were made to be perfect officers. "Would you like me to show you to your quarters, or would you prefer a tour of the ship first ma'am?" Arkoh was his cultivated and coldly polite self, aristocratic as only a pure-blooded Arkanian could be.

[Mara]

It was only a short walk to the ship from where Denton had parked the 'speeder, and soon Ina and her small entourage were mere meters from its boarding ramp. The organized chaos and supply loading she had spotted from a distance was still occurring, but much more noticeable as they had come closer was their welcoming committee moving into place. Several officers and soldiers debarked the ship and lined up on either side of the ramp. An older Arkanian man in a sharply dressed uniform who could only be the captain of the Aegis stood in the center at the bottom, waiting for them.

Moments later, a couple of the soldiers ran up and relieved her bodyguard of their luggage. Nodding to him that it was all right, Ina then offered a thankful smile to them before returning to study the display of naval finery in front of her with some uneasiness. Though she had made sure to dress professionally for her arrival--currently clad in well-tailored trousers and blouse and her white hair piled up neatly against her head--the senator had not expected so much pomp and circumstance for an event that was unlikely to garner any attention in the Holonet or other news outlets. The Offshoot actually was a trifle embarrassed that this captain had gone to so much trouble for someone like her. Especially considering he was Arkanian.

But he seemed perfectly polite and not at all uncomfortable with her presence as he came forward and saluted her. Perhaps a bit stiff, but Ina hoped that was more due to his military bearing and training than any hidden dislike of the senator of his homeworld. Unsure whether to salute back or offer her hand in greeting, she acknowledged him with a nod. Then as he began to speak, she pulled a datapad from the bag slung over her elbow. After quickly scanning the words from the captain--Arkoh Altunen--scrolled across the screen, she looked up with a warm smile and efficiently signed a response, fingers flying.

The senator was well aware that after she had begged and pleaded for weeks to send any kind of aid to the beings of Tibrin, the stalemate had suddenly broken, and everything had soon slid into place after being blocked until then. She hadn't thought to think why this was, only was relieved that it had. But obviously this captain and his ship had only been chosen because of coincidence and location. So she was immensely grateful that this Captain Altunen had agreed to the mission at all. Ina wanted to convey this to the Arkanian captain and his crew and smooth over any inconveniences or ill-will that might have sprung up from her being assigned to the Aegis for delivery to Ishi-Tib's planet.

"Thank you so much for accommodating me and my mission on such short notice, Captain. I do appreciate your assistance very much in this matter." The words came from the birdlike droid, now perched on Ina's shoulder, all mechanical but still strangely feminine. Ofi had moved forward from her position behind her friend in order to provide translations for the captain and everyone else involved. This situation made her nervous, however, being out in the open amidst all the bustling activity of the ship preparing to deploy, any being could be hiding in plain sight, and she kept all her sensors on high alert. But Denton was also back there--a presence the droid was slowly and begrudgingly getting used to--and surely a man of his self-proclaimed skills could keep an eye out.

Ina's introduction to the bridge crew was a bit awkward for her, though she tried not to show it, keeping her composure. She performed a delicate ballet of acknowledging them all with a short nod and smile while glancing to her datapad from time to time to match a name with each face. Hopefully without appearing to rude to any of them. But it all went by so fast that she wasn't sure she would be able to remember who was who. The Offshoot made a mental note to go over the details with Ofi; the droid would have all the information stored away already.

Back at the foot of the ramp, preliminaries out of the way, the captain turned to her once again, lips moving. Ina eyed the datapad in her hand, reading Altunen's question. She lifted her hands, prepared to courteously decline his offer for a tour. Ina wanted to get traveling as soon as they could; the Ishi-Tib had waited long enough for assistance. However, as she glanced around herself, catching the eyes of Ofi and Denton as she did so, she reconsidered her decision, fingers going limp. The Offshoot knew little about the process of readying the ship for takeoff, but it appeared to need yet more time to complete. They may as well use the time remaining to take the captain up on his hospitality instead of closing themselves up in their quarters.

With another gracious smile, she inclined her head and signed her answer. << Fantastic idea. A tour would be lovely, Captain. Thank you. >> Once again, from the woman's shoulder, Ofi translated Ina's speech aloud in her droid voice. She stepped ahead then to follow the captain up the ramp into the Aegis, curious blue eyes taking in everything around her as they entered the ship. The senator was used to taking public transport or small diplomatic shuttles; this was the largest craft she had had opportunity to be a passenger on, and she found herself eager to see what it was all about. And not just to be a polite guest of honor.

[Mal]

Mal eyed the two marines as they came to take the luggage, as an Army man he was vastly aware of the irony that was taking place here. Army and marines tended to have a bit of a rivalry going on, but after Ina nodded, he relented and let them take the luggage. There was nothing in them that would cause either of them harm anyway, besides this relieved his other arm in case he needed to draw his weapons suddenly. Not that he thought he'd have to use his weapons though, not on a military vessel. Then again, it was captained by a Arkanian, a pure blooded Arkanian at that, and Ina was an Offshoot. He'd been doing his homework and he knew that many, though not all just look at Ina's adopted father, pure Arkanians disliked the Offshoots. He sincerely hoped that this man was one of the ones that didn't mind the Offshoots. He'd hate to have to shoot him if the time came, though he would most definitely if he needed to.

Mal followed Ina and remained quiet, his senses spread out all around them, he was still getting used to this feeling. It was getting easier though, and he'd been around Ina so much that he could recognize her in a crowd easily now. But he suspected that was just because he was around her all day every day, he wasn't sure about anything else though. At least for twenty feet around them he could sense what was happening, enough that they wouldn't be surprised by anyone sneaking up on them. That was going to be very convenient while they were on a military ship, even in his mind that thought sounded way too sarcastic. There were probably enough people trained to be quiet on that ship to sneak up on an army of mice.

Ina looked back at him and he nodded, indicating that if she wanted a tour to accept. It didn't bother him at all, he'd been on enough military ships in the last decade that he could probably navigate this one blindfolded... He just hoped that no one held him to that one, he still had enough of a chance of being wrong that he didn't want to risk it. In any case, he doubted that Ina had ever been on a military ship before, so the experience might be interesting for her. Military ships were built more for practicality and less for comfortability than the civilian ships that the senator was probably far more accustomed to. Not that he was complaining about civilian ships, he'd rather be in one of those than on a military ship most days. The civilian ones had better food.

Mal remained quiet unless spoken to, and a few steps behind Ina at all times. His eyes never stopped moving for long, he was watching everything around them and judging all risks. He liked to think that nothing escaped his sight, though he knew that wasn't true. He knew that there were things he missed, he just hoped they were small things, and nothing that was potentially fatal for anyone. Mal memorized the routes they were taken on, not that he needed any help, Ofi was there with them and probably recording everything just in case it was needed. He had to admit that the little droid was growing on him... Not that he'd ever tell Ofi that. No, he had a reputation to keep after all, it wouldn't do for her to think he had a soft spot.

[Thaddeus]

Should one look at the droid or the woman when it spoke? Arkoh asked himself silently, and then with a wry smile twitching at the corners of mouth thought: moreover how do you know that what the droid is saying is what she is signing? Arkoh was not some paranoid nut, rather the little musing was a distracting piece of humour which had popped into his head as he looked at the Senator – he had decided that that was the most appropriate. He replied to the Senator’s thanks with a deferential nod of the head, he had wanted to add that clearly she did not understand how the military worked – personal preference did not enter into it, and if it did he would not be wasting his time on this mission. But with greater effort than he would ever admit Arkoh held his tongue.

As the Senator looked back at her companion Arkoh too turned his white eyes upon the fellow. A soldier if Arkoh had ever seen one, a set jaw, and muscles showing under meticulous clothing – every crease ironed in just right despite the clothes being civilian. Definitely a bodyguard then, not some clerk or political attaché, Arkoh’s gaze left the fellow quicker than the Senator’s. So that when the Senator turned back with a smile and the droid chirped her reply, his angular features greeted her. He extended an arm pointing up the ramp, “This way please Senator.” He was careful to keep pace with her, the bodyguard lurked just behind them and the translator droid hovered and chirped whenever the Senator’s hands fluttered.

The halls of the Aegis, like any military vessel, were narrow and possessed of many bulkheads that needed to be stepped over and ducked under. The marines carrying the bags had already disappeared off to the Senator’s quarters, leaving the little quartet to wander. Arkoh spoke with the comfort of someone who did not care for what his company thought of him, “The Aegis, Senator, is an Axehead-class frigate designed for deploying battalions on the surface of planets and engaging in combat. We have a compliment of 202, most have served on the Aegis for over 4 years, though after the battle at Gargon we received a few fresh faces.” Arkoh turned a corner and ascended some steep stairs, almost ladder like. “We entered through the starboard boarding ramp, and here we are the main hangar…” His words echoed as the passage opened up onto a balcony overlooking the enormous hangar. It was a hive of activity with men and machines rushing to load and secure the supplies. “We can carry a full armoured battalion.” Arkoh added with a sweeping gesture at the space. “Roughly 1,000 men plus their vehicles.” After a moment he walked along the balcony and made for another hallway.

This one was as identical as any other on the ship, except for the coloured strip running the length of the floor and roof, Arkoh pointed at it. “Green for engineering, yellow for hangars, red for gun batteries, blue for crew quarters, orange for the bridge, and white for medical.” As the passed doorways a strip of one or two colours would run off in that direction. Arkoh turned down another one; this had yellow and red strips. “Here you can see our starfighter hangar; we have a squadron of Aurek-class strikefighters and two shuttles.” He directed the group to look out of the windows which looked out onto the much smaller hangar. Taking a left and then a right he followed a hall which contained only a red line. “The Aegis is equipped with several laser batteries; this is one of our heavy laser cannons.” The massive thing represented only the firing mechanism of the weapon, the barrel lay outside the ship, and it dwarfed the crew who were servicing it.

Arkoh lead them back down the hall and after a few dizzying twists and turns (none of which seemed to faze the Arkanian captain) they returned to a hall which had all the colours streaking down it. Arkoh took the tour down to the engineering compartment, and allowing the chief engineer to occupy the Senator for a moment with the technical details of the ship took a moment to himself. If the Senator failed to grasp the engineer’s musing it could hardly be held against her, engineers were on the whole a rather strange bunch Arkoh thought. “Sorry to have left you to her tender mercies, shall we continue?” He smiled affably and walked on. The group then found the medical bay, and were soon hurried out of their by the doctors and nurses who wanted to get everything in order – heading to a planet with a medical crisis had put them on edge.

He showed the Senator one of the Spartan bunks that served as the home for 10 crewmen during their tour of duty. There were a few outlines and peeled paint on lockers and walls were posters had been torn down, clearly not appropriate for a Senatorial delegation to see. 2 men were enjoying their break, and snapped to attention when the group entered. Arkoh saluted easily, and encouraged them to tell the Senator about their roles and service aboard the Aegis. With the shy nervousness peculiar to servicemen they reluctantly told of their exploits and the medals they had won. With a nod of thanks Arkoh lead the group out of the bunkroom, and the men quickly stripped off their dress jackets and kicked off their shoes with a happy sigh.

“Here we have the mess, I am afraid the selection is not very wide, but the cook is good.” Arkoh had thanked every god in existence when the last cook had finally retired, that man had known only two ways to serve a meal: burnt or raw. The new fellow however was aware of another way to do it: cooked. To the effete Arkoh this was the greatest blessing possible.

The group passed on, and after a moment soon found themselves upon the bridge. A dozen faces turned and saluted, the officers from down on the ramp were all here and back at their posts. It had been an hour or so since the Senator had arrived. Arkoh pointed at the raised platform which overlooked the bridge. “Please Senator.” Encouraging the lady to take the captain’s post, and turning to the XO asked, “Everything aboard and secured?” The Duros nodded and looked at his captain for a sign as to how the tour had gone, Arkoh shrugged. Looking up at the Senator with a winning smile Arkoh asked, “Would you care to give the order to launch Senator? This is your mission after all.”

[Mara]

Ina remained quiet during the majority of the tour through the Aegis. Not because conversation was tricky between her and the captain, having to use both datapad and Ofi as intermediary. But because her bright blue eyes were wide with amazement as the small group walked through the corridors. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting to see, going from what she had seen of the ship's size from the outside and comparing it to the transports she was used to traveling on. Being inside, though, was almost overwhelming; the senator felt she was within a small underground city.

Captain Altunen was a bit brisk for a tour guide, she thought, leading the from one area to another without stopping. She could easily keep up with him, but she would have preferred a few stops to ask questions if she had had them or to gain a better understanding of what she was seeing. It was a lot of information for her to take in--information about the ship and its weapons compliment that while important she didn't find particularly interesting. With the captain's continuous pace mixed in with her curiosity she found herself always having to catch up, on foot and on her datapad for what the Arkanian had just been pointing out to them. Ina smiled to herself as they turned around another corner, jokingly hoping that there wouldn't be a quiz afterwards.

Luckily for the senator, Ofi's brain was much more sophisticated, and she was committing everything to her memory banks. As they moved along, she was creating a schematic that could be referred to later if necessary. The droid made special note of those areas where Ina was likely to visit, like the mess hall. But it probably would never be needed, as this captain was sure to have them escorted wherever they needed to go, not wanting even honored guests to wander around alone without chaperones.

When they reached the bridge, the captain finally came to a stop. Ina was grateful for the chance to take in some details about the whole space instead of earlier when she only managed a glance at a couple things before they had moved on. But then things got embarrassing for her. All the officers within were saluting her once again; Ina managed a gracious smile and nod to all of them, while inside she felt uncomfortable about all the attention she was receiving. This was, after all, only a mercy mission to an out-of-the-way planet that had been begrudgingly agreed to by the Republic. There was nothing high-profile about it, even if it was a cause she believed deeply about.

And it all got worse when she studied the datapad in her hand, reading what Altunen was asking her to do. Her mouth gaped open, but she quickly shut it when she looked up towards the Arkanian captain in surprise. Ina's fingers were frozen; she was unsure how to respond to such an offer. It was her mission, he was right, but it was also his ship. She felt uneasy about the whole proposal. Summoning all her political acumen, she pushed away her anxiety and smiled back, slowly shaking her head. Ofi translated as Ina signed. << It would truly be an honor, Captain, but I'm afraid I must politely decline. It is not my place. >> Having weighed the options, she had decided that it was best for her to step aside and let Altunen keep a sense of authority over his men instead of giving them another reason to resent her. Just as long as she hadn't just executed a major faux pas by doing so.

[Thaddeus]

Arkoh watched the Senator hesitate before taking the platform, her hands fluttering quickly he wondered what she could possibly want to say? If she wanted to give a speech she would have to wait, they were on a schedule and Arkoh had no intention to have this mission last a minute longer than it had to.

The bridge crew were all waiting with anticipation, although they looked busy and as if they couldn’t care less Arkoh knew his men well enough to know that every one of them had cocked an ear. So it hardly surprised him when at the Senator’s refusal there were more than a few shuffling feet and renewed pressing of buttons so as to look distracted.

For his own part he was not offended, indeed this was better than having to explain to the Senator why she could not give a speech. Though he was puzzled as to why she would turn it down, most politicians you had to pull away from a podium not push toward. He inclined his head and walked by her without a second glance.

“All stations at the ready…” There was a delay as each of the officers at a console reported their station or department ready, “… Take us out.” There was an audible noise of the engines, a shudder as the ship slowly rose, dust whirled and the lights of Coruscant began to lower. “XO you have the bridge.” The Duros saluted and walked up to the platform and began the rest of the checks as the Aegis heaved herself away from the surface.

“See not that hard Senator, I am sure you will be able to manage next time?” Arkoh said as he approached Ina once again his perfect smile flashed teeth as white as his eyes. “Allow me to take you to your quarters.” An outstretched arm indicated towards the door and Arkoh waited patiently for the Senators assent.

This would be a more leisurely stroll, plenty of time for questions and conversation Arkoh thought lamentably, as the ship was underway.

((Sorry about the shortness getting back into the swing of things.))

[Mara]

In relief, she expelled a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding as Captain Altunen merely nodded at her and went about his business as if he hadn’t asked her. The senator had been worried that she had shown poor naval etiquette in the matter of ordering the ship to launch. It obviously was a great honor that had been bestowed on her. Even so, it just hadn’t seemed proper to her to give the order, no matter how willing the Arkanian officer had been to do just that. Though this was her mission, her chosen destination, she was still just a senator, a guest aboard the Aegis.

However, there had seemed no ill will towards her as the captain and his crew proceeded along their protocol. They all worked quickly and efficiently to get the Aegis off the landing pad and lifted up into the air so that it could make its way through Coruscant’s atmosphere and into space where it would be ready to make the jump to lightspeed to the Tibrin system. Ina stood back with Ofi and Denton, quietly watching the proceedings with curiosity. She had never been privy to such information before, and it was quite interesting to see all the effort that went into controlling a large spacecraft. And how easy it appeared to be.

She gazed through the nearest large viewscreen, steadying herself on a nearby console, as the ship rumbled off of its perch and gained altitude. Her eyes widened, as the giant skyscrapers in the distance slowly melted away into the distance. Ina never knew that this sight could be so exhilarating. No wonder so many beings decided to go into careers that required them to pilot ships. The senator made a mental note to pay more attention to the pilots of any transports she found herself on in the future, and to thank them for their service and skills.

Altunen came up to her once more, and Ina was forced to focus her attention back on her datapad in order to know what he was speaking to her about. A reddish tint swelled her cheeks at his remark. She didn’t know enough of the man to garner whether or not he was making a joke or being entirely serious. Her deaf eyes could not pick out inflections, and Ofi generally did not bother with such notations either, as the droid had about as much a clue as the Offshoot did. Perhaps she had actually caused some affront to him, and the captain was only being polite about the situation earlier in order to keep her from embarrassment.

When she lifted her face to respond to him, a friendly smile was there, and all traces of her humiliation had disappeared. Ina inclined her head in a short bow of acknowledge of his request. Then she lifted her hands and signed, Ofi translating aloud in her droning female voice from Ina’s shoulder. “Thank you very much, Captain. That would be wonderful.” For the sake of propriety, she had decided to completely ignore his first comment; there was nothing she could do about her personal err. And it would be good to get out of the captain’s way for a while under the ruse of settling into her room and unpacking a few comforts of home. Ina and the rest of her small entourage fell in behind the captain as he led them out of the bridge and back around to the living areas of the ship to the quarters assigned to them for the journey.

[to x...]


(((On to the next thread, then...)))