The Sentinel-class shuttle, while not exactly swift, was by no means slow, and it managed to climb out of Ylesia’s gravity well with little trouble. Not surprisingly for a planet ruled by the Hutts, there was no anti-aircraft fire to trouble the Jesters as they made their escape. All in all it was a smooth ride off planet. At least as far as the shuttle was concerned.

Inside the shuttle was a different matter entirely. Not long after they entered hyperspace, the arguing started.

“What the fuck just happened,” Jager asked as he ripped his helmet off. He then proceeded to produce a cigarette, seemingly out of midair, stuck it in his mouth, and lit it with a lighter he had also produced out of nowhere.

Kip just shook his still-armored head as he fell back into one of the seats. “No idea. I’d say we got caught in an ambush, but all in all they seemed relatively surprised to see us.”

Angel pulled off his own helmet, then nodded. Jegora noted that his squad leader’s expression was particularly grim. “It was no ambush,” he said icily. “If it had been an ambush, we would all be dead.”

That sobered everyone up immediately. Judging from the reactions, some of the troopers had actually thought that they had beaten back the enemy through pure skill. While that may have been partially the case, Jegora knew that the only reason any of the Jesters were left standing was because the enemy force was ill prepared for any kind of opposition.

Jegora decided to take advantage of the momentary lull in the conversation. He was still supporting Abalar, who was hunched over from the injuries she had sustained during her fight with the Noghri. Propping her up against the wall, Jegora then began to strip the armor off her until she was clad only in her black bodysuit. While he couldn’t tend her wounds, Jegora figured the newest Jester might as well be able to breathe easy.

Bright was doing much the same thing, wincing as she slid her chest plate to the ground. Jegora didn’t blame her, knowing she had taken Noghri on in single combat. He was actually surprised Bright was in as good condition as she was.

After he had tended to Abalar, Jegora proceeded to remove his own helmet. While he would have liked nothing more than to get out of the black Storm Commando armor that he felt was so restricting, Jegora opted to wait until he could change into something besides the black bodysuit he wore underneath his armor.

Meanwhile, the conversation had resumed. “How many do you think we killed?” Jori asked.

Aeos shook her head. “Less than you think. My guess is we only killed five or so, and wounded about twice that.”

Jori just nodded. You couldn’t ask for much more than that in such a situation. Considering the Jesters had been outnumbered at least two to one, possibly even three to one, the short but intense battle had gone extremely well.

“Who kriffing cares how many of those bastards we killed?” Jager exclaimed. “Did we get the information we needed?”

The whole squad looked to Kip, who shook his head slightly. “It was very well encrypted, and I was rushed. I got a little bit, but probably not enough to serve our purposes.”

Jori sighed, Jager swore around the cigarette in his mouth, Abalar groaned from where she was laying propped up in the corner of the shuttle, and the rest of the Jesters exhibited similar signs. Even Jegora couldn’t help but let out a frustrated breath at the news. It appeared as if the whole thing had been for naught.

“So we didn’t get what we needed?” Aeos asked. Kip shook his head again, and Aeos sighed and shifted her weight.

Jager pushed away from the wall he had been leaning against. “So what now?” he asked, his voice filled with poorly concealed disgust.

No one said anything, and Jegora just grunted. “Looks like we go back to Tadath,” he said.

An icy silence filled the cabin. The Jesters were exhausted from the short but intense battle, frustrated because they hadn’t completed their mission, and they were tired of putting up with each other’s personalities. The tension in the room was palpable. No one said anything, afraid of upsetting someone else and starting a squad-wide brawl.

After several long moments, the silence was broken, and all hell broke lose. “Couldn’t you have sliced the damn thing faster?” he asked Kip pointedly.

Kip didn’t react well to being blamed for the mission’s failure, and Jegora didn’t blame him. It wasn’t his fault. Brightstar seemed to feel the same way, immediately telling Jager to back off. That caused Jager to begin to yell at Bright, and then Aeos got involved. Jori said something threatening to Aeos, which cause Jegora to nearly lose his temper then and there. When it was all said and done, only Angel and Abalar remained silent; Angel out of cold, hard fury at his squad and amusement at their bickering, and Abalar out of pain.

Jegora was in the middle of a threat when the a cold shiver ran down his back, ending in a tingle at the base of his spine. Immediately Jegora stopped talking, but no one seemed to notice. The argument was picking up steam, and by now people were literally shouting at each other. The built up tension between the squad mates had finally boiled over. Jegora was no longer concerned about that, however. His instincts told him something was wrong, and Jegora had learned to trust his instincts.

Angel seemed to sense the same thing. “Quiet!” he ordered, his voice so dangerous sounding that the entire squad instantly obeyed. Jegora glanced around the room, trying to figure out what was setting him on edge. He slowly drew his kinfe, afraid to use his firearms inside the shuttle. The last thing he wanted to do was pierce the relatively thin walls keeping all the air in.

Silence once again enveloped the cabin as the rest of the Jesters began to get the sense that something was terrible wrong. Jegora stood very still for some moments, then took a tentative step forward. As he did so his sense of danger spiked, and he instinctively ducked. He was almost too late.

A bluish-blackish ball flew over head. Jegora glanced up and saw the cold glint of hard steel, and immediately recognized the Noghri’s knife. And where there was a Noghri’s knife, there was a Noghri. Immediately Jegora went cold inside at the thought of the compact killing machine lose in the confined spaces of the shuttle.

Drawing his own knife, Jegora rolled to his feet. He was glad to see that the rest of the Jesters (those that could stand) had found their own knives and had encircled the Noghri. Despite their superior numbers, Jegora couldn’t help but think that some of the Jesters were about to die.

Jegora watched the Noghri, who was facing away from him now. At first he thought that the smallish creature would kill them all, but then he began to notice tell-tale signs that indicated the Noghri was beginning to succumb to the wounds he had sustained earlier. For Jegora it was a relief to see that the creatures did indeed weaken like normal beings.

The room was, for a third time, absolutely silent and completely still. The Noghri seemed to be waiting for one of the Jesters to make a mistake, and that Jesters were waiting for the Noghri to make it’s move. And then, all at once, the Noghri did indeed move.

Wounded or not, the bluish creature was extremely quick. Jegora flinched as it rushed towards Bright, deciding she was the weak link in the circle. It was correct, of course, but what the Noghri didn’t count on was Angel, standing only a few feet away. The squad leader moved just as fast as the Noghri, putting himself in front of Bright and grasping the Noghri’s wrist as the creature brought the knife down to strike Bright. Angel’s momentary advantage didn’t last long, however, as the Noghri shifted it’s weight in midair and twisted around Angel’s outstretched arm, freeing itself from his grasp and carrying him past the Jester squad leader.

By this time Bright was ready though, and as the Noghri landed she raised her knife and drove it towards the Noghri’s head. The creature shifted, and managed to avoid getting killed, but Bright’s knife imbedded deeply in the Noghri’s shoulder. Jager, who was on the other side of Bright, wasted no time and quickly ran his own knife through the Noghri’s skull.

The Jesters withdrew, leaving the creature standing once again in the center of a circle. This time, however, it had two knives sticking out of it, and it soon fell forward, dead.

Jegora let out a sigh of relief. Bright and Jager retrieved their blades, and Angel nodded at Jegora. Moving over to where the Noghri lay, Jegora bent down and lifted the blue alien with a grunt. He then proceeded to carry it to a corner of the passenger cabin. There he sat it down, out of the way.

When the squad had reassembled they were once again quiet. This time however it wasn’t a hard silence, it was shock. The Jesters were still mad, they just had had their dislike for one another overridden by the experience of nearly being killed on their own ship.

This time, Angel was the only one to speak. “Just so you all know, it doesn’t matter that we didn’t get the information off the terminal. The mere presence of the Remnant is enough to conclude that they were behind it. They were there to clean up any loose ends; there’s no other likely explanation.”

With that the squad leader sat down, closed his eyes, and promptly fell asleep. The rest of the Jesters did the exact same. Even Abalar managed to fall asleep, although Jegora imagined that it would be a fitful sleep at best. For his part, Jegora never missed an opportunity to catch some shut eye. He fell asleep quickly, rocked into oblivion by the gentle motions of the shuttle as it tunneled through Hyperspace.

Four hours later the Sentinel-class shuttle landed on Tadath. The tired and angry Jesters filed out of the shuttle one by one, wincing at the harsh daylight that met them. They didn’t speak to each other, didn’t joke, didn’t make plans, didn’t even smile at being home. Whether the troopers would admit it or not, they were still pissed at their comrades. Even though the mission had been successful, the Jester’s morale was as low as it had ever been.

Jager sat eyeballing the rebellious rookie. They were all the same, tough guys with a chip on their shoulder looking to challenge anyone who got in their way. Which by the looks of things had turned sour for this one in particular. The signs of a Jegora-style indicated by the red smear protruding from the corner of his mouth and just under his nose. The man liked to work the face.

The appropriate, if a tad excessive beating made Jager long for the old days. The days where it was only the bad guys who beat you within an inch of your life. The days where the squad didn't extract from a mission only to embark on a shit-storm of petty squabbling and pointless arguments. Troopers such as Kami sharpe, Verk and the sort must have been a rare breed. Where as the run-of-the mill psychopaths and sadists such as Jester's fearless leader and ol' two-fists Fal seemed to be common place. It was unsettling to think that this is what the squad he started in morphed into....

Taking a long swig from a flask, he placed his thoughts off to one side and lethargically got to his feet. There was no telling when the squad would be sent back on assignment. The general feeling was clearly later rather then sooner but the empire cared little for qualms of its lower ranking personnel. Jager of course had a pretty solid idea as to how he was going to spend the temporary lull in duty. And it appeared the person he wanted to spend it with had the exact same idea.

"Jager, there's a Doctor here to see you. Something about a physical" Jori called from across the barracks. Jager's wasn't due for a physical, though he usually ended up skipping them all together. Something about a middle aged man examining one's body did not sit right with him. Out of curiosity Jager's gaze shifted from his unwanted ward to the door. Her brown, shoulder length hair was brushed to the side to reveal a pleasant smile.'Koenig' he muttered, a smirk crossed his face. Out of all the beings in the galaxy, she was possibly the person he was ever truly happy to see. Off base she would have probably attempted to tackle him or something of a similar nature, instead she waited patiently by the door. Fraternization on base was generally frowned upon, and seeing that mouthing off was grounds for a beating from his superiors, he didn't want to find out what such an act brought.

Without hesitation he got to his feet, eager to escape the tension in the barracks, but a half pace was all he managed before he encountered a problem. Namely, 'The Hond problem'. For a moment he wondered if Jegora had some sort of precognitive ability, granting him the power to ruin his enemies chances for a good time before they knew it was coming. There was little chance he would leave the rookie with Jori. Jager simply didn't feel like being forced to clean the blood stains out of the barracks floor. Bright too was out of the question... his options seemed almost exhausted. It was then he was hit with an idea.

"Well, new guy. Guess I'd better show you around the barracks" he stated casually. His ward didn't answer, though he didn't seem tourist type. "Right. Well, over here you've got the bunks. You where just in... and uh, over, our fearless leaders office. That's a window and over here is something I think you'll really like" Hastily Jager ushered the man over to an empty supply closet.

"Yeah, look at the size of this baby. Go on, take a step in. Its roomier then it looks" he began, pulling of his best impersonation real estate agent before lightly shoving the new recruit inside.

"What the fuck is this?" his ward muttered, he was clearly not buying into the Sergeants sales pitch. However it didn't matter as the hard part of Jager's hastily prepared, yet foolproof plan had already been accomplished.

"This my friend is your standard imperial supply closet." Jager announced calmly, motioning. "You've got central heating, close to schools and there's a lovely little restaurant just down the road. Soup like you wouldn't believe"

Hond gave a disapproving grunt, "I can see that, asshole. But why do I care"

Now was as good a time as ever to enact the final phase of his plan. With a hand movement the supply closet door slide shut, locking its unwitting and now rightfully furious visitor securely inside.

"Because you're gonna be spending the next thirty minutes to an hour in there." he quipped.

It took a moment for his ward to catch on to the fact that Jager was not going to open the door, a moment which was signified by a loud banging and a plethora of foul, hurtful language followed by several threats against his life. He was going to pay for this later, but he'd cross that bridge when he came to it. Jori gave a sarcastic clap from across the room, his head shaking slowly.

"So... what happens when I have to let him out?"

"Kid, Protip; Don't ..." he retorted, striding over to the door and his patiently waiting companion. "If anyone comes looking for me. Tell them I'm attending my physical" With a graceful, fluid motion he offered his hand to the clearly amused Sarah who accepted it before taking a confident, if a little exaggerated, step out the door and on to some well earned rest and relaxation.

OOC:

And that, children, is how Jager met Hond.

The Imperial has fearful of her, Mai could gather that much by the waft of sweetness emanating from the pores of his pink flesh. He visibly hesitated in the door of the recruiting office before seeming to compose his features into the appropriate mask required for his role. He turned slightly, gesturing for his shorter comrade to make the necessary introductions. The other human didn't seem overly impressed by her appearance. Within his role as a recruiting clerk for the Vast Empire Army he saw all manner of creatures walk and slither in on a day to day basis.

“Mai Shyrr,” He waved one chubby hand at the seated Cathar, who regarded the two men impassively with her golden eyes, “Significant skills in tracking and scouting, she'd be a great boon to any of your recon units.”

The officer cleared his throat, his gaze tracing Mai's pointed ears and ruffled hair before coming to a rest on her gleaming pale eyes, “Togorian?”

Both the recruiting clerk and Mai fixed the officer in a pitiful stare, though it was Mai who deigned to answer, “Cathar. The Togorians are in all likelihood distant relatives of my people, though to draw comparisons between the two of us is much the same as comparing Humans to the Chiss.”

“Oh,” The officer flushed, well aware that he had let his curiousity get the better of him, “Background check?”

“Clear sir, with exceptional results on the basic field test,” The clerk responded, “Thought I'd save some time and get her pushed through whilst you were here.”

The officer regarded the feline woman for a few more seconds before tearing his gaze away, “Alright. Papers please.”

The clerk produced a wad of official documents with a flourish, waiting patiently as his superior scribbled his assent on the necessary fields. Afterwards, the officers gaze swung back to Mai and he warily inched forward to extend a hand, “Well, I guess I should welcome you to the Vast Empire Private.”

Mai rose in a single movement, clasping the offered hand and flashing her pointed canines in a predators grin, “Pleasure to be here.”

*        *        *        *        *        *        *

Mai stalked through the corridors of the Jester barracks, her pointed ears quivering slightly as they picked up the vibrations and shouts echoing in from beyond the compound. Despite having spent most of her life onboard ships and within cramped interior spaces, she was still uncomfortable indoors, a genetic component of her species that she couldn't quite shake. The Cathar always preferred to stalk their prey over large spaces. Unfortunately, Mai's chosen career paths offered little in the way of savannas and expansive hunting grounds.

The scent of the air changed subtly ahead, revealing a human presence. Relieved that the SL was in, and that further complicated directions were unnecessary, Mai raised a hand covered in sleek brown fur and tapped politely on the exterior of the partly closed door.

“Come in,” A male voice instructed.

Readjusting her mane of dark hair back into the clasp at her neck, Mai forced her shoulders to straighten before walking into the interior of the small office. The Squad Leader of Jester glanced up as she entered, an intense amber gaze locking onto hers as she stiffened into a salute.

“Private First Class Mai Shyrr reporting as ordered sir,” She intoned, focusing on a spot on the wall behind the human.

“Jikkyo,” The human waved casually with his spare hand, “Angel or simply 'boss' to those who know me, and you will eventually. Enough with the green recruit jazz. I've read your file, we can skip the formal introductions.”

Mai allowed herself to exhale, looking at the human solider before her in a new light, “Thank you. The social structuring of this place is convoluted enough without the constant repetitiveness.”

Angel let out a short bark of laughter, “That's an understatement.” He nodded towards the chair opposing his desk, “Take a seat. Oh and don't mind the droid, we had an...incident...before.”

The small cleaning droid swiveling back and forth before the desk paused in its task of dousing the floor in disinfectant as Mai stepped over it, settling herself in the indicated chair. Angel watched her the entire time, judging the way she carried herself over the short distance.

“So,” Her new SL began briskly, “You've never had any experience with the military before?”

“No. With smugglers mostly. Loose alliances as opposed to rigid structures,” Mai answered him, testing the mans taste on the air. No trace of fear or anxiety. Nor arousal, a common reaction from males and one that she was wary of given her past.  A promising sign. These military personnel were unusually restrained.

“I know the type,” Angel was saying, “Though there's fair difference between earning your keep with a crew and being a member of a military organization.”

Mai nodded in agreement, though her attention was ultimately elsewhere. She was studying the man as critically as he was her. Traces of fatigue lingered in the corner of his eyes and the turn of his mouth, though his body language suggested that he was fully attentive. Humans were strange like that. Determined to portray themselves in a certain fashion despite the fact that their emotional state was consistently on display through the lines of their expressive faces.

“This is going to sound nosy...,” Angel said, “...but ultimately it's my job to ask the hard questions. We don't have an overly large number of alien species within the ranks. Why the VE and not the New Republic? Why not local military establishments? Your homeworlds defense force perhaps?”

“Cathar is no more my homeworld than Tadath,” Mai focused again on the conversation, dampening the spike of irritation that flared into existence at being forced to explain herself, “And I am looking to serve with one of the finest elite military forces in the galaxy, not some backwater squadron. As for the New Republic...” She looked away for the first time during the meeting, “...they would rather hang me than offer a chance for redemption. But if you have issue with my record I can go elsewhere. Everyone has a past.”

“Of course,” Angel seemed unruffled by the provoked reaction, “And no, I don't have an issue. And neither do my superiors since you're sitting here. Besides I can't fault your choice. The Vast Empire is where I've chosen to throw my lot and now you have as well.”

Mai simply nodded, crossing one sleek leg over the other as she did so, “For better or worse.”

“You seem to have a great deal of experience with starships and fighters” Angel continued, glancing briefly down at the file next to him “You qualified with exceptional results for the Navy as well as progressing through Army training. Why are you here exactly?”

“I'd prefer to keep my feet on the ground this time around,” Mai offered, choosing blatant honesty over the chance to qualify on her personal attributes.

Angel sat back into the cushioning of his chair, seeming to consider her answer before accepting it with a slight decline of his head, “Alright. Fair's fair. You wouldn't be here unless you were right for the job, and everything in this file suggests you'll bring a degree of experience to the squad.” He paused, before leaning forward again, “One thing though. You'll need to start thinking like a member of the team instead of just one of the crowd. Jester is all about communication and honesty. Your squadmates will become your family, and connecting with them is imperative to the success of our missions and your success as a individual whilst you're here. Do you think you'll be able to do that?”

Mai stalled for a moment, battling a momentary flash of fear at the thought of trusting others. Despite the slight curling of her upper lip, her expression remained unchanged, “Yes sir. That won't be a problem.”

Angel considered again for a moment, seeming to weigh his options. Finally, he offered a half-hearted smile, the decision made for now, “Alright Mai. You're a Jester, for better or worse as you so succinctly put it before. Let's go get you settled in."