Wings of Escape

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

((Vex and Arheim only please...I'll allow you guys to decide exactly how long she's been asleep...))

It was early morning, though one wouldn't have noticed by the light...or rather lack there of...that filtered into the transport. With Vex's help, the woman curled on the floor had managed to sleep peacefully until now. This in itself was a blessing since the previous month had been hellish, causing the 30 year old to sleep fitfully, weakening her mind and body. The sleep to heal her fully would have needed to be extensive. As it was, the blue eyed woman had only just managed to wake herself.

At first she was confused, almost expecting to wake once more in her solitary prison cell...but she wasn't there. No, she found herself on a cold metal floor in what appeared to be, in the gloom, a transport? Blinking, she sifted through her foggy thoughts and memories, still trying to shake herself from sleep's clutches. Yes, that was right...Vex had managed, somehow, to rescue her from her own death, and they had ended up here...in some abandoned structure, in the lowest level of Coruscant, on a prisoner transport.

As she slowly started to collect her thoughts, Aunna lifted herself on one arm, her hair cascading over one shoulder in thick waves and obscuring one eye, even after she shook her waterfall of hair out of the way enough to see a bit through it. She noticed, then, that she had been covered in Vex's robe, his tunic folded as a pillow and placed at her head. Surprised, she felt her heart flutter uncomfortably, though a small smile graced her face. She wondered when, exactly, that had happened? Pulling her sapphire eyes away from the folded clothes, she wondered where her savior was. Glancing around, she didn't see him...not readily anyway...and she wondered if he was even here. Pushing herself up the rest of the way on her left arm, she sat herself on one hip, her legs tucked under her slightly as she pulled the brown robes around her shoulders and shivering slightly as she shook the rest of her sleep off.

How long have I been asleep?

She wondered mildly and began her more thorough visual search of the immediate surroundings. If Vex wasn't here, she doubted he would want her wandering off, so she stayed put, not even deciding to move from her position on the floor yet. Feeling something jab at her ribs, Aunna furrowed her brow and wondered momentarily what it could be stabbing her THERE....then she remembered. Those idiot guards that had brought her in...they had forgotten to check all of her clothing, and so, she had managed to keep her necklace! It was hidden in a...rather unscrupulous place...so she double checked the area was Vex free before pulling it out of the top of her dress. Now, free of the stabbing in her ribs, Aunna replaced the heavy chain about her neck.

The silver chain hung around her neck once more, rubbing along the raw ring on her neck...unfortunately. It was, however, much lighter. The silver set of angel wings and the lion-cross were still there, however, her dog tags, and the small silver badge were missing. The ID tags had been taken from her on the trip to Coruscant from Nar Shaddaa, but the badge had vanished long before that. Aunna had sent it to the one place the republic wouldn't be able to reach it...the Pendragon. Her brother hadn't noticed when she had slipped it into his coat pocket on Nar Shaddaa, but she had...just in case. She'd had a nagging fear that something along these lines would happen to her eventually once the fight between the rival factions had ensued on the Hutt's world, so she had made certain her important documents had gone to the only other person she trusted...Jade.

Typically, this badge wouldn't have been of much importance...at least not at first glance...but Aunna and Jade knew better. Everyone in their family knew better. It was a tradition...and it had come in handy of late. Now Aunna knew she needed that badge back. If only to bring herself some sense of justification for hers and Vex's actions...to bring some of the truth to the Republic's masses. That wasn't to mention the fact that she had one contact with the badge that might prove to be quite useful to a certain...grey....jedi.

Now that she had some form of semi-long term goal, Aunna debated on what she had to do today...she knew there had been something. Glancing at her long locks, she sighed. Yes, some of this hair would have to go...quite a bit of it actually....about half. It was down to her hips as it was, and, while that was fine before, she needed it shorter now. Also, there was something else nagging at the back of her mind....what...was it?

AYER! Oh good grief, she had nearly forgotten about the little droid!

[A®heim]

Ayer turned his head as the former Major stirred. Hm? Ah, you're awake.

The droid had sat in one position the whole night just gazing out the window at the blackness. at least it was blackness to living eyes, but the various levels of optical sensory Ayer possessed revealed a whole word illuminated in infra-red and ultra-violet. Hulking images of transports and speeders darted overhead through the thick smog while the heat signatures of tiny creatures picked their way among the refuse of civilization. There he had waited through the night, never moving his gaze from the sky, watching for any trouble.

Now his optical sensors had begun to register an increase of solar radiation. It was morning. The droid stretched out its wings to warm up the servo motors then hopped down from his perch on the data read-out. He hopped briskly across the floor to where the former major lay, his metal talons making a soft click as the contacted the hard ground.

Ayer halted a few feet from Aunna and retracted his wings, each one folding to compact form before slipping nearly seamlessly into the two grooves along the back. It's good to see you up and operational. The time is now...

ACCESSING SYSTEM CLOCK

The current time is- Ξж01010010010Ờ۾ۘۻۣە [/color]

Uhmm...heheh, it would seem that some of my systems are still a bit faulty. No matter, By the amount of solar penetration rates to the density of the smog, I would estimate that it is still fairly early in the morning, several hours until midday in fact. Ayer looked down, drowning his embarrassment in technical babble. Never you mind Miss Borgonia, how can I help you?

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Aunna's head turned toward the voice of the droid as he noticed her movement. Watching him walk in her direction, she couldn't help but giggle slightly and grin. He tried to give her the time, only to find he couldn't, before going on about the position of the sun, then asking her how he could help. It was adorable. As if on cue, and much to her chagrin, Aunna got the mental image of herself cuddling with the little bird-droid as she slept there on the floor, only to have Vex arrive and look absolutely perplexed at the situation he found before him.

The thought was just too much.

It started as a snicker, then it became a fit of giggles, followed by out right laughter...her eyes tearing up at the corners.

Ohmygosh....I'm sorry Ayer....I just.....

The laughing persisted, forcing her to gasp for breath and cough every once in a while. By this time her whole face was pink, her eyes slits, as she laughed at the image that filled her mind. Oh...as if it wasn't funny enough to envision herself cuddling with a bird-droid, Vex's imagined facial expression was what had taken the cake.

Slowly she managed to get hold of her laughter, her blue eyes sparkling and dancing about as she wiped the tears of laughter away. The poor droid must have been so confused by her reaction...she needed to apologize.

Oh....I'm....I'm so sorry about that Ayer. I just....I had the most ridiculous mental image ever. I couldn't help but laugh.

She stated, still chuckling every once in a while. It felt good to laugh like that after such a difficult month. As the saying went: Laughter is the best medicine...and she believed that, especially now. Leaning over and picking the metallic bird up, she set him down again on her lap.

Well then Mr. Ayer, as I said before, I should be asking you that question. Now, with my laughing fit out of the way, how about we try fixing you up? I'm sure there's some circuitry around this transport I can salvage....though...I'm not sure what I'll do for tools to do it.

She said thoughtfully, glancing around. That reminded her...were WAS Vex? Even at his name a strange smile came to her face, half because of the image she had just gotten past, and half because...well...half because just thinking about him made her want to smile right now. Subconsciously, her right hand reached up to stroke over the silver angel wings on her necklace.

...where is that man anyway?...

She pondered aloud, though obviously the question was more to herself than Ayer. 'Hmming' slightly, Aunna returned her attention to the droid on her lap and smiled brightly.

Well...we'll just have to improvise on tools because I doubt I'll find what I need easily. I just wish I had my blasted glasses...well...I'll make due either way.

She said with a firm nod of her head. This wasn't going to be an easy task, with so little at her disposal and no glasses. No doubt it would take longer than it normally would, so the sooner they got working the better.

[Vex]

Vex had left the relative safety of the transport after speaking with the recon droid. This place, the stagnant, decaying underbelly of the glittering city-planet of Coruscant, was not a safe place. Much like the jungle world of Kashyyyk, the closer you got to it's roots, the darker and more dangerous this world became. No normal, sane person would willingly walk out into that gloom unless they absolutely had to.

Fortunately, Vex could hardly be regarded as either.

He'd found a relatively clean patch of rubble, a spot where a duracrete wall had caved in. The side of that wall was now more or less parallel with the ground. He'd cleaned it off and settled himself upon it, curling his legs underneath him and letting his arms rest upon his knees. His back straightened, head dipping down slightly to shield that pallid, masked complexion from easy view. It was here that he chose to meditate.

He gave himself up to the chaos of the Force as it flow around and through him...opening himself up to it as he had not for a long time. Through the Force, he was a dark beacon that radiated out into underbelly of this world. He wouldn't be bothered by the denizens of this place. Even if they didn't understand how they knew, they would quickly realize that there was a new predator in their midst...and that his teeth were far sharper than their own. The ship and its passengers would not be harmed.

He did not move for hours, letting his consciousness expand outward. There were a multitude of questions that he had no answers to and he sought out direction through the Force. As always, however, he was thwarted. Whatever secrets the Force had, it seemed to prefer keeping him in the dark, making him suffer.

He was growing frustrated up until the point he felt the disturbance. It was as though they were a starship in the deep black and their sensors picked up a sweep. Someone was looking for them...someone intent on the hunt. Like the lighthouses that stood as relics in older seashore communities, that search swept its light over the protective shadows that hid the refugee trio. Vex knew it was only a matter of time before that baleful light finally managed to illuminate them.

Black eyes snapped open and he moved to his feet. His strides ate up the distance back to the ship quickly as he keyed in the unlock code he'd set. The hatch opened, the ramp dropping down to his feet. Stepping inside, he'd quickly find the pair, woman and droid.

Aunna looked dishevelled, but strangely becoming to him. That stray thought came unbidden and unwanted and sent a spear of consternation and anger through him. Whatever it's reason, these thoughts were less than useful at the present. He cleared his throat, voice rasping through the rebreather.

"We cannot stay. The Republic is searching for us...it will only be a matter of time before they find us if we remain here. What can you tell me of this ship? Is there any way that they could track our location through it? Transponder, perhaps?"

The very vehicle that had given them their route to escape could also be the very thing that brought about their doom. He stared at them questioningly, his voice impatient.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Aunna's gaze flickered upward as she heard the ramp lower and a form appear in it. Eyes narrowing, she relaxed slightly as she heard the sound of the rebreather. Thank the force it was only Vex. He didn't seem please, however, and she soon found out why. Great, so he knew they were being looked for? Snorting derisively, she stood, the little droid held in one arm, the robe hooked over her shoulders.

Yes....most likely....if there is....

She muttered to herself as she swept past him, setting Ayer down on one of the seats as she moved. Aunna didn't bother to second guess the jedi, she had learned better by now, instead she just set about searching for what she was looking for.

The military puts transponders on everything...they're paranoid as hell...they'd put them in people if they could.

The woman shivered involuntarily at that thought. God what a nightmare THAT would be. Shaking her head, her hair fell even more across her eyes, but she didn't let it bother her. Instead, she tore a small piece of fabric from the bottom of her dress and tied her hair back. Though strands still fell around her face, Aunna dropped to her knees beside the pilot seat of the transport and twisted until she was able to see under the control panel. Huffing, she shook her head. It wasn't there. She proceeded to check under the co-pilot seat controls. Not there. On prision transports that was where she was familiar with them being, that way, in case something happened, the signal could be tripped by the pilots.

Well, I don't see one outright, but that doesn't mean there isn't one here...thing is...

She stood and turned to face him, folding her arms across her chest. When had he found a new shirt? Shaking the thought away, she continued her previous line of thought.

I could find it through the systems, but....we're taking a big risk by bringing up the power. It could be that the signal is dormant while the power is off, but...with the power on....it's certain that it'll start up again.

I could try and go through the usual wiring, but....that would take a while and I don't have the tools needed to get it out without possibly setting it off....though.....

She stood for a moment in thought. A small smile crept across her face as an idea came to mind.

Well, here's the thing...the antenna for the transponder will be outside. I CAN break that. There's just one trick...assuming it's an active transponder, if I break the antenna any signals they have bouncing around for us will notice the fact that the signal has stopped transmitting. Chances are greater that they'd be able to home in on our position immediately, so we'd have to leave directly and hope no one's around to chase us.

Our second option is this: I take my time and find the little bugger. I try to get my...crap...scratch that second option...I don't have a com link.

She rubbed the bridge of her nose lightly as she pushed a few strands of hair from her eyes. Sighing, Aunna looked directly into those dark eyes of his, searching for answers he wasn't giving...like how much time they had. There were still no answers to be had. What else had she been expecting? Shaking her head, the young woman looked past Vex now to the outside, her eyes unfocusing slightly.

I suppose...if I can find it manually....I can bring the power up and try redirecting the signal...bouncing it off other com links around. That might confuse their tracking enough that when the actual signal goes offline, they won't know where to look for us.

That....that's the most risky though, and I would prefer not to go that route if possible. If we succeeded, we would be able to roam in the shadows easily and they would be none the wiser...but if we failed...they would be on us faster than we could run.

That tough shell had come up again, this would be the Aunna that Vex could recognize more easily...the hard as tacks Major he had met on this very planet not so long ago. Running a hand through her hair, she retied the piece of cloth that held it out of her face, those sparkling eyes dropping to the ground, hard and closed off as she mulled over their options. Raising them again, Aunna's gaze locked with Vex's once more, a deep and brightly burning fire lay behind his eyes...she hadn't noticed it before, but she did now. What she couldn't notice was the blaze that had risen up in her own, mirroring his.

Tell me which it will be.

A single tendril of thought extended from her mind toward his as she focused on him and what needed to be done, no more, no less. She wasn't afraid of what she might find if she reached out to him, not this time. Instead, Aunna seemed determined to find entry to his mind just enough to get her point across. Perhaps it wouldn't be an important statement to him, but it carried a vast amount of weight when it came to Aunna, and so she was relentless in her endeavor.

Vex...I trust your judgment.

No more needed to be said.

[Vex]

Vex watched as she moved away, suddenly trying to inspect the whole of the ship in order to find the transponder. He took that time to pick up the folded tunic. While she was digging under the control panel, he pulled off that shirt he'd found and instead slipped that tunic back on. He was more comfortable with it, especially since the woman didn't seem willing to give up his robes any time soon. Vex didn't know which bothered him more: the fact that she had almost laid claim to it...or the fact that a good part of him didn't mind. The woman was more trouble than she was worth, he finally decided, but he found himself without an inclination to leave her behind.

"You are thinking in far too convoluted a fashion. Much as we may have liked to remain with the transport, it is far too conspicuous, transponder or no, especially in these levels. It paints us as a target, makes us vulnerable to being spotted by agents of the Republic and targeted by the less savory denizens of this world beneath Coruscant."

He pointed to a door that led to a small storage area with rations and the like. It wasn't much, but it was standard military procedure to have a stock of emergency rations in the event something happened. Just like it was procedure to have a small secondary armory in case extra arms and firepower were needed.

"We must distance ourselves from the ship...and more than that, destroy anything that might help them find us. Our best chance comes from getting what emergency survival supplies we can and destroying the ship. I vote for our third option."

Despite her attempt, he'd not lifted the walls on his mind that he'd put up last night...there was no getting into his consciousness, not right now. He did, however, speak to her as one might a child who failed to grasp something simple and mundane. His arms crossed in front of him as he waited for a reply.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Aunna huffed upon finding no chink in his mental armor. What a stubborn man...it's no wonder he's not able to deal with people...I'll bet those walls of his even cut him off from himself...she thought with mild irritation. Listening to him, she smirked slightly. She caught his drift as soon as he'd started talking. Yes, she'd thought of just ditching the transport, but she'd hoped not to...he had a point however, so she wouldn't argue. He'd not even finished and she'd already pulled the robes off her shoulders with one hand and tossed them to him easily.

Yeesh it was cold! This was yet another of the many reasons why she didn't wear dresses if she could help it.

As he kept talking, however, she found herself growing more and more irritated with the fact that he was talking down to her. The final straw was when he folded his arms across his chest. Fine, he wanted to talk down to her, he'd pay for it a little bit. By this time, Aunna had already been headed toward the storage compartments, but she halted her progress and turned to face him. She walked slowly toward him. There was no swiftness to her step, she wasn't hurried at all. No, she was quite calm as she walked right up to him, coming as close to him as he did her.

Pressing up against him lightly, she looked up at him and put one hand on his chest lightly, as small smirk coming to her lips as with the other hand she used one finger to motion him down to her.

Don't...talk down to me Vex Praetor. I do not appreciate it in the least. I am no child to be looked down upon. I can and I will find ways to make your life hell no matter where I am, or where you are if you choose to do so. You see, also, while you were busy lecturing, we could have been long gone.

She said quietly speaking in a hushed tone that would make him have to actually listen. Aunna had never used this tone with him before, for all of her anger directed toward him at times, it was quite clear that she had never been more deadly serious. Her warm breath against his neck would hardly seem possible with such a cold tone, and it was, perhaps, one of the least expected actions she had ever taken around him. Only after a moment did she move away, pushing against his chest with both her hands, prolonging what she knew would be an uncomfortable situation for him.

[A®heim]

Ayer watched the exchange with mild interest. Even as emotionally in tune as he was, he was still only a droid and would never truly understand the mental turmoil the two humans before him were experiencing. At the mention of a transponder, he perked up but held his vocabulator until he felt he could speak freely.

It was when Aunna leaned in close to Vex that he got truly curious. Triangulating his audio receptors, Ayer listened closely to the Major's words. He was never good at discerning the meaning from tone of voice, but there was no mistaking the icy stoicism that laced the words she spoke. It was then that Ayer began to truly fear for her life. Vex may not be the bane of good that the Republic made him out to be, but Ayer couldn't safely say he felt the man was stable. He was still a Dark Jedi.

In the restless silence that followed, Ayer spoke up at last. I agree with Vex's decision to leave the transport. Even if the transponder could be disabled, we're just to conspicuous in here. However, I ask that if the transponder could be located that it be removed for salvage. The circuitry used in such a device is the same needed to repair my com systems. Perhaps then we can contact Mu'haro and learn more of our predicament.

Ayer hopped from his perch on the seat back to the control array. If you could hook me up to the flight computer, I could probably locate the position of the transponder and even disable the alarm that would be sounded normally if it is tampered with.

Ayer turned his cold gaze straight to Vex. I will need you both to cooperate if we are to escape this predicament alive. I'm well aware that neither of you enjoy taking orders, but you must understand that unless we consider eachother's views and don't slit the other's throat, we're as good as dead...

[Vex]

Those dark eyes narrowed as he watched her slink towards him slowly, purposefully. She pressed that lean form against him, gazing up at him with those large, blue eyes that suddenly held so much ice within. He stiffened, that larger frame stilling at the press of her body, just as she knew it would. He preferred his space...his solitude...she would know that too and now she was trying to use that against him. He'd actually stopped breathing for a moment, feeling the warm wash of breath, so at odds with the arctic tone of her voice. Despite himself and his reactions, however, he couldn't help but wear a bemused smile beneath that mask at her words and tone. She was trying to threaten him?

When she began to push away, his hand came out, lightning quick, fingers sliding underneath the skein of her hair to grip the nape of her neck, clearly not content with letting her have the last word. The pad of his thumb pressed against the hollow of her throat. It might almost be an intimate hold, were it not for who and what he was. His free hand came up, drawing that mask off once more so that she could get the full import of words, just as she had wanted him to do with hers. His face lingered, mere inches from hers as those eyes of pitch stared, unwavering, into hers. "I'll stop when you prove to be able to take care of yourself and not need a chaperone to keep from getting yourself killed, Aunna. Your threat means little, for I am already in that hell you speak of...voluntarily so, it would seem, as I continue to foolishly seek your protection." His hand shifted, the thumb brushing along her collarbone his touch moved, fisting that hair now as he pulled her closer, forcing her to arc her neck and look at him as he pulled her closer, glaring down at her. The dominant gesture was meant to show her just how readily, how easily, he could slaughter instead of shield her, if he so wished. It also had the result of pulling her tight to his side once more. His mouth barely brushed against her ear as he spoke, his words syrupy soft and yet darkly growled in menace. "Do not try my patience, Aunna."

His attention was then turned towards the droid that chose to speak. He turned his head, not letting go of Aunna, as he stared at the little robot. "While you proved beneficial, little droid, do not assume to know what is necessary. I have already tasted death...twice now. I know how to avoid it." He let go of Aunna, speaking to her even if he didn't look at her. "Go to the crew storage, Aunna...there are some clothes there. Enough, perhaps, to give you something more suitable for surviving the underdepths of Coruscant. Fetching though your little dress might be, it is hardly of benefit at the moment. I'll take the mouthy droid to the bridge and patch him into the system."

He caught the droid up in a fist, fingers wrapping around that birdlike "neck" and carrying him unceremoniously towards the bridge. It didn't take him long to get the thing patched into the flight computer. Pausing for a moment, feeling out with the Force, he restored power to the ship so the droid could do what it had to do.

Vex merely waited, feeling through the Force for the telltale signs that the action was tightening the noose around them.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Aunna, despite her cold attitude, was not above still doing as he asked, in fact, she had been about to move away from him to do just that. She’d just about turned her head to reply thus to the little droid when his hand snaked out, wrapping his fingers in her hair, forcing her to stay. Turning her eyes to him once again, she raised an eyebrow at his words.

I don’t remember asking, before today, for you to ‘save me’ from anything…In fact, if I remember correctly, I tried to warn you to stay away from where I was on Nar Shaddaa. Or am I mistaken?

Her icy blue eyes never strayed from his, the fire in the depths of them entrancing her slightly, only allowing her to keep the eye contact more easily. Feeling his thumb trail along her collar bone, she felt her skin heat slightly. Yes, he was eliciting a reaction from her, but she doubted it was the kind he’d intended. Instead of fearing him, she simply kept her slight smile, trying not to allow it to widen. The ice in her eyes melted slightly, showing a form of amusement at his actions. It seemed she had pressed a button or two. The tug on her hair was not challenged as he tried to assert his dominance over her. The corner of her mouth twitched slightly as it threatened to broaden into a full smile. Yes, she knew he could easily crush her mind, he didn’t even need to get his hands dirty, but at this point Aunna had passed the stage of fearing his movements, anger, his deadly sweet voice…she’d been through it before. He’d have to try new tricks on her now.

As he’d pulled her closer to show just how much he could tower over her, she focused instead on the fact that he did, indeed, pull her closer to him. A sting of annoyance at this observation coursed through her, and she huffed up at him as he spoke. His words meant little to her right now, let him do his worst, it couldn’t be worse than anything else that might happen.

Alright Vex, feel free to assert your obvious dominance…but just know that things will be much easier, and far less at odds, if you show me some common courtesy. I would, then, be far less apt to “try your patience” as you put it.

She replied simply, her smile fading into a more serious look, her eyes half lidded now as she spoke. As he let her go, she stepped backward slightly while he spoke to Ayer. Huffing, she shook her head.

Apparently my job will be to teach you how to be human again…

Running her hand through her hair, she nodded to his instructions and headed down the hall with a purpose, not giving Vex a backward glance. Upon reaching the crew storage, she sifted through the few clothes that were there. Well, there wasn’t much, but she could manage. Trusting that Vex had his hands full with Ayer, she pulled out a pair of brown pants, a pair of boots, and a tan top…only the pants seeming to be a bit too tight for her taste, though the fit well enough and didn’t hinder her movement. If it wasn’t her lucky day, again. Slipping the black dress off over her head, Aunna swiftly slipped on the pants, pulling the top on over and buttoning it up. Pulling off those ridiculously thin shoes from the prison, she slipped into the boots, lacing and buckling them easily and swiftly.

It didn’t take her long to change, and as soon as she did, she began searching for a pack of some kind. Finding one in another of the storage bins, she packed as much of the survival rations and medical gear as she could into it until she finally ended her scavenging with the acquiring of a leather blaster sling that she strapped about her waist and her thigh, and a blaster. Huffing, she grabbed the pack and headed once more to the front, the boots only sounding lightly on the metal floor. Coming up behind Vex, she set the pack on the floor and leaned against the back of the seat he was in.

Did you manage to find it?

She asked simply, her hand coming to rest unconsciously on his shoulder as she peered at the scans being run on the transport.

[A®heim]

Well, given the case that there's is only three of us aboard this craft, perhaps my advice is not much one to ignore. I'll have you know th- Ayer was cut off as he was gripped around his small neck and hoisted roughly into the air by Vex. Upon reflex the wing covers flipped back and the feathers crackled. However, this action lasted a mere second before Ayer composed himself and resigned his fate to being dragged haphazardly to the ship computer. It would not do to harm those he went through so much trouble to preserve.

When he was at last set down and plugged into the computer, he glared at Vex murderously. Before you attempt anything like that again, let me make something perfectly clear. I am here to help YOU, alright? That does NOT include me being dragged about by my neck and forcefully hooked into ship computers. I will be the first to admit that my appearance doesn't exactly merit much of a threat, but do not underestimate my abilities.

The droid turned back to the computer and began the data feed. He turned his head to Vex once more. Also, don't grab me, it's reflex for my model to discharge in such an event. I may be fairly drained, but I doubt it would take much to knock out that respirator, so please be more cautious. Ayer looked back to the data port and began the system scan.

TAPPING INTO CENTRAL COMPUTER

SYSTEM ENTRY ACQUIRED: BEGINNING DIAGNOSTIC SEARCH

010001010101001
100101010010101
101010010100100

TRANSPONDER LOCATED

PINPOINTING SYSTEM LOCATION

101001001000100
100110111101001
101010001000101
101001001100111 [/color]

Ayer yanked the cord from the terminal with his beak and tucked it back into the small compartment on his breast. He gazed about the room and fixed his eyes upon a spot 2 feet above Vex's head. The droid smirked as best it could with a metal beak. As for the location of the transponder, look up. Upon the ceiling where Ayer was looking, a small box lay fastened securely.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Aunna glanced up at the small device and sighed. Go figure, the one place neither of them bothered to look...up. Shaking her head, she reached up, feeling to see if there was a trigger switch, but there wasn't.

Okay, well now we know where it is...unfortunately I think it's an active one...so if we're going, we need to disable it, destroy the ship and get out of here...fast. Vex, thoughts?

She asked, folding her arms across her chest. Her blue eyes were closed off now, hard and cold. Aunna hadn't taken well to being talked down to, nor to him trying to dominate her like that. It reminded her too much of...well, that was a long time ago and it wouldn't happen again. She grimaced slightly at the thought and looked away from Vex and the little droid as she struggled with this inner demon. After a moment, she sighed and returned her still icy eyes to the man and droid.

[Vex]

"If my respirator is knocked out, rest assured that I shall take you apart piece by piece and use your circuitry to fix it, droid. Whatever your abilities, whatever you may have done to assist in her escape, do not being to misconstrue that as a reason for me to care. Your assistance does not and will not make up for the damage you caused or the fact that it is the fault of you and your narrow-minded handler that Aunna was put into this present predicament to begin with. The fact that you are still function and your master is not in pieces is due to your usefulness, droid. Never forget that." The lightsaber hilt was brought out, jammed against the center of the little recon droid's chassis. All it would take is a flicker of a thumb to ignite it and shear the construct into slag and junk metal. The jedi did not do well with threats, idle, well-meaning, or otherwise. He'd had enough with Aunna's mouth already...he would not take it from this bucket of bolts as well.

He heard the bird droid's words, glancing up at the box before looking to Aunna as she began to query him as well. The matter was simple. "Just one thought." He drew the saber away, his arm flicking up and that violet blade thrumming to life. That electric squeal was heard as the saber utterly destroyed the transponder and, with it, the droid's chance to get his comm system repaired.

It would learn that the jedi did not brook such from those he travelled with. Without looking at the other too, he sidestepped Aunna and began to head towards the ramp. "Set the self-destruct, droid...we are leaving."

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Roiling now, Aunna only barely held her hand. She stood rigid, hands clenched into fists at her sides. The amount of restraint it took for her not to follow her gut instinct was incredible...so much so, that she shook with the effort. Not only had he just threatened the little droid that saved BOTH their lives, and completely proved himself an ass, but had also managed to worsen their situation considerably. As he brushed past her, she made sure not to move out of his way, forcing him to have to bump into her should as she moved toward the control panel. With a few deft movements the self destruct was set. Still seething, she scooped Ayer up into one arm and shouldered the pack with the other, following him out.

I'm sorry Ayer....I'm sorry you and your sniper ever got dragged into this mess. Maybe, if we're both very lucky, we'll live to see the day this man decides to realize that he only hurts his cause more by acting this way. I just wish he would stop shutting himself off from his feelings...might do us all a world of good...

Her voice was icy cold as she passed him at the bottom of the landing ramp, though at the end her voice held a hint of wistfulness. She didn't bother looking at him, Aunna knew she was treading thin ice, but he had really teed her off this time around.

Maybe I was wrong after all....he's too much like Andrew....I doubt I'll live through another bout of that....

She mused, the thought colored with anger, fear and a deep, resounding hurt.

[A®heim]

Ayer was infuriated. The wing covers snapped back revealing the sharp feathers crackling faintly as the brid droid let out a low hiss. Not a moment after doing so, the hilt of a lightsaber was pressed to his breast. Ayer just stared down at it with wide eyes. He wouldn't....would he? If Ayer had lungs he would be holding his breath.

Glaring back up at Vex, the droid recovered the feathers slowly. This may not technically be my throat, but surely the implications remain the same. Kindly cease this useless violence and deal with the transponder. The lightsaber was withdrawn and the droid instinctively took several steps back. Suddenly the blade was ignited and thrust towards the small device. Wait! NO! It was too late, the transponder was obliterated, no doubt hopelessly searing the circuitry inside.

There was a new emotion, a very human emotion: Ayer wanted nothing more than to see that man suffer then and there. He had proven himself to be nothing more than the cruel, heartless beast the Republic had branded him. You...you are only hampering further assistance to yourself and Aunna! Personally I couldn't care less about you, but I have been tasked to make sure no harm comes to Miss Borgonia and I will not allow you to stand in her way of safety! Ayer was struggling to stay calm but his words were tinged with anger and irritation with Vex. He was piling his own scrap heap and he knew it, he only wish he could still fly out of reach of that saber.

Just as it seemed his fate was about to be resigned, Aunna came to the rescue. She shouldered past Vex, initiated the self-destruct sequence herself, and scooped him up in her arms. Ayer was afraid to see what Vex may be doing and so elected to hang his head instead. As Aunna whispered to him, the droid nodded in agreement.

Once outside the ship, he asked to be set down. Once upon the fround once more Ayer hopped underneath the transport. There was a crackling noise and a few clanks of metal accompanied by a small shower of sparks. A few seconds later, Ayer emerged from beneath with a clump of various wires and circuitry. Perhaps one of these will do Ayer mumbled through a full beak. Don't worry about me, I'm fairly self-sufficient when it comes to these sorts of things...

Ayer opened his main compartment and placed the wires gently within. He would work on his systems later. The droid hopped up in front of Aunna. Also, I apologize for my behavior. I did not mean what I said about him being heartless. Afterall, if that were true, would we still be alive? Ayer tried to sound encouraging, but inside he was concerned. Concerned that his presence may just destroy the one redeeming factor of that Dark being: His relationship with Aunna...

[Vex]

"Feelings get you killed, Aunna. And you need not worry about me hampering your safety. I will be leading the search parties out on a different direction, giving you and the droid time to get away safely." He'd spoken the words surprisingly quiet..his voice barely whispering through that rebreather apparatus.

He'd been leaning on the landing strut just outside of the hatch, arms crossed over the robed chest. Dark eyes watched her as she set the construct down. While he'd heard their words in that low conversation, it was her thoughts that had bothered him the most. He'd seen the images, the memories, that came to mind when she thought of this Andrew. For a moment, he'd felt a pain similar to that which he'd endured at the twilight moments of that battle on Nar Shaddaa, when he thought he was about to die. She was likening him to this creature from her past. No one was surprised more than he at how that comparison managed to wound him.

Finally, however, he gave a grimace of a smile, for once glad of the mask he wore. It was better she think of him that way, in the long run. It was safer for her and would cause her less pain in the future. After she'd set the droid down to do as it wished, he moved closer to her. When she'd turn to face him, she would find him there, mere inches away. He'd removed the belt around his waist, the many pockets on that multifunctional item carrying all of the gear that a Jedi might need out in the field. Deft fingers resized it a bit as he slipped it around her waist, his hands brushing against her hips. He clicked the belt closed...it was a little loose, resting at an angle on her hips, but it looked good.

Those black eyes looked over her form, seemingly appraising her from head to toe. He was careful to keep his thoughts shielded and mute, but if she read his eyes, she might just see the approving, appreciative look he regarded her with. He leaned in close, the cool metal of that mask brushing against her jaw. "You'll find most things you need in the belt. There are some credsticks...open account...it should cover you for any expenses you need. There is also a comlink there. Jedi issue. It's fairly advanced...I have a feeling it will help fix the droid so that you can get communications back with his handler. You should have everything you need, Aunna. Farewell..."

Turning away, he stepped off towards the shadows and debris, pulling that hood up to cover his features and further mask his departure.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Aunna tensed as Vex spoke. She didn’t agree with his words, she didn’t want to part ways…even if she was angry with him, but he frightened her…the feelings she held for him, the situation…it reminded her of that beast she had once called a lover. Gazing at him leaning there with arms folded, every line of Vex read discontent. When she set the little droid down on the ground as it had requested, Aunna glanced over at him again, his mask lifting slightly as he seemed to smile. Looking away again, she stood once more turning to find him there a scant few inches from her…and her breath caught in her chest. Instinctively, she went rigid, her chin coming up slightly, prepared for his hand to come darting out and find her throat. She expected him to be angry with her, despite his words and tone. Of everything, she hadn’t expected to get away from those comments unscathed…if not physically, then most certainly not verbally. Even as he took off his belt and adjusted it, she found herself taking only shallow breaths, blue eyes barely masking the uncertainty she felt at his actions.

Watching his movements like a beaten animal would its master, she tilted her head to the side slightly as he wrapped the belt around her waist. Confused, Aunna’s eyes lost some of their previous fear and anger…she was letting the vision that the dark one from Nar Shaddaa had brought to the front of her memory get to her. This wasn’t him…this wasn’t Andrew.

I need to stop this before I do something stupid…Vex and Andrew aren’t the same person…that was a memory girl…get over it. He’s long gone, never to be seen again.

She shivered slightly as his hands brushed along her hips, letting the belt settle along them, she lowered her head slightly, looking away. Her face was feeling hot again, and she cursed herself inwardly. Looking up as he looked her over, she tried to discern what he was thinking. His face, as usual, was neutral, but his eyes…the look in his eyes made her gut tighten slightly. What was that look? She knew it from others, but did it mean the same with Vex? She reminded herself to breathe as she felt her cheeks grow a little hotter. Once more she turned her face away and down slightly, not caring to meet his eyes. Aunna knew that, by now, she was most certainly blushing. As he leaned closer, the cold metal of his mask slipping against her jaw, she only nodded slightly to his words, unable to say anything. Only once he’d stepped away, heading off in a new direction, and pulled his hood up, did she dart the few steps after him, catching the back of his robes in one hand to stop him.

Vex….th….thank you…

As soon as the stammered words left her mouth Aunna let go of his robes, allowing her hand to drop, fisted, to her side. She’d already begun to form a plan, and if it was going to happen, she needed to leave…swiftly. With a firm nod, more to encourage herself than to convey anything to him, the brunette turned and stepped quickly to where Ayer had appeared. Scooping him up, she set off at a trot in her new direction. She was lucky she knew a few people around these parts. She barely heard the little recon’s words as she trotted along, her heart heavy at the way things were coming about.

No, Ayer…he’s not heartless…he just…forgot how to use it. Hopefully he’ll remember eventually.

She stated, keeping to the shadows as she made her way through the filthy streets, her eyes constantly moving, and keeping an ear out for any sign that she was being followed. If it was anything short of a jedi, she doubted she would miss it. After three minutes of a consistent jog, she ducked into a deeper set of shadows as the area around shook with the sound of an explosion. That was the transport…she was still to close.

[Vex]

He paused, feeling her hand close around his robes to make him pause. He'd turned, his hand instinctively slipping out to press against her side and steady her. Those black eyes stared into her own as she spoke that stuttering appreciation and then pulled away. The corners of his eyes squinted slightly, making her aware that there was a pale, slight smile hiding beneath that mask. He bowed his head slightly at her before he let his fingers trail along her belly as she pulled away one more. He turned away as well, disappearing into the eternal night that seemed to welcome him so readily. He reached out with his mind, the touch of it against herself almost like a caress in its intimacy.

Keep yourself safe, little one. I'll find you when it is time...

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

((graaah! Vex, your stupid avvie is making me laugh again! *whispers in the dark* playing and he's dancing with it!!! >_< how'm I supposed to write something serious when i keep cracking up every time I look at your post?!))


Aunna hadn't been expecting it.

When she had turned away he hadn't said a word, only his eyes had betrayed a smile, however slight it was. He had trailed his fingers along her stomach as they parted, causing her breath to hitch again. For a moment she had thought that he had been toying with her. He had bowed his head slightly and allowed his hand to slip gently across her. Yes, she'd thought he had been toying with her mind, her emotions...whatever....but as she looked at him, for that brief moment, she realized he hadn't been.

That, as unexpected as it was, was not the action that had caught her so off guard. As they had parted, he had brushed against her mind. In itself that fact would not have startled her...no, it was the manner in which he had done so.

His touch came first, that gentle caress across her consciousness, smooth as silk and warm as the light of the sun. It was comforting. It was something she'd never experienced...not from anyone or anything...and this wasn't just because it was on a non-physical level.

His words came next, the subtle hint of his voice held within them even though she knew she couldn't actually hear it. They were quiet and calm, no hint of haste or emotional distance...they just were. The emotion, the care, behind them was clear enough in the choice of them...however unintentional it may have been. He wanted her to be safe, this was even more obvious with the use of his pet name for her. Vex had always meant what he said with all his heart when he used that endearment. He would find her again as well...like the guardian angel he was turning into, the words expressed his continuing concern for her well being.

Aunna had paused then, turning to see nothing but dusky light where he had once been. Closing her eyes lightly, she reached back carefully, only allowing a fraction of herself go back toward him. If he felt it, it would be a feather's touch to his mind...just enough to know that she had understood but little else...anything more and she ran the risk of showing him everything that his action had elicited...the hope, the fear, the sadness, and that last emotion that she worked so hard to keep locked away, her love.

With that, she was gone from him. Opening her eyes, she realized that she had brought poor little Ayer to her chest and had been holding him there. Shaking slightly, she let out a little, pathetic, chuckle and started walking.

((new link: swrponline2.proboards107.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=coruscant&thread=3914 Arh, feel free to post a last time on here.))

[A®heim]

Love...if Ayer had anything to regret it was his naivety on the subject. Droids weren't built to love, they were built to function and the small AER-03 was no exception. True he possessed a level of consciousness that few others portrayed, but even this was just artificial. Every "emotion" was simply an electronic stimulus built into his brain of wires and circuitry. These thoughts plagued Ayer as he lay nestled in Aunna's arms. Did anything he feel matter? Was any of it even REAL? It was only now, in the presence of these two humans, that Ayer had actually put much thought into these ideas. Vex and Aunna each had their facades, but not even a droid could be fooled all the time. The two had feelings for each other, ones that the bird could never truly have for anything.

A dull explosion shook Ayer from his brooding. How long had it been? Vex was nowhere in sight, nor was the transport. I...never said thank you... he muttered to himself. I told him he was a heartless monster who cared nothing for Aunna... Now he just felt awful. He had never thanked Vex for all he had done. Ayer glanced down and noticed the belt for the first time. He had seen it before, only around Vex's waist. It was a Jedi's belt, most likely equipped with just about anything anyone would need to survive, and he had given it to her. If that wasn't love, then the droid didn't know what was...not that he really understood it anyways.

The droid was just about to settle down for a short power save when one last thing caught his optical sensors. Dangling from the belt was a small comlink with the back panel already removed showing the advanced circuitry.. It didn't take Ayer long to figure out what it was for. I will repay you one day...Jedi....