DJ-47
ComNet Member
[VE-ARMY] Lance Corporal
Post Number: 401
Total Posts: 403
Joined: Jan 2008
Status: Online
RE: A Night at Sea (Imperial Ball. Open to All) May 9, 2009 10:53:37 PM 
Imperial Ball playlist: http://www.playlist.com/playlist/16226231307*************************************************************************************************
Pallas Space Zone, Vast Empire SpaceLines of navigation buoys hung in space, directing starship traffic and broadcasting METOSP data. The
Dreshdae Thunderhawk reverted to realspace at the edge of the zone, quickly adjusting course to their assigned spacelane.
On the bridge Lance Corporal Baraka Kodex, better known as Tank or TX-47, was at the helm. While he took in the sight with silent admiration, Rex and Tex were beeping excitedly about their first vacation while Hex was inspecting the combat droid crew; all of which amused Tank far more than the traffic. Tank used the time the
Dreshdae Thunderhawk was on approach to Pallas to coach the repair droids and finalize/clarify Hex's orders.
"Remember you two, no gambling and stay away from the bar areas. Someone might try using you as tables, chairs or worse..." R5-X7 and T3X-M47 swiveled their heads to look at each other as HK-X47 snickered at their discomfort. "I'm serious. There may well be some astromechs in the droid staff, serving drinks and such, so be careful." Tank turned to the assassin droid, "Hex, if you get bored minding the
Thunderhawk you may do battle sims or watch a war holo; Pallas' warrior culture is second to the planet's entertainment industry. But if you must you
may check for any posted bounties but you are
not authorized to pursue. Advise me when I return"
"As you wish, Master"
****
The
Ebon Shyrack cruised over the Dyonis Islands at a leisurely pace. The black, red and grey shuttle was a stark contrast to the spectra on twilight painting both the clouds and the planet's surface. The silhouette of the
21 Hearts began to loom large on the viewport as Tank angled for final approach.
Snipes must be doing really well... Tank mused as the massive
21 Hearts glided several milles from the coast of the largest continent. Tank was duly impressed, as the
21 Hearts was both the largest and most decadent pleasure craft he'd ever seen.
Gliding into the
Hearts' cavernous hangar, Tank followed the running lights past scores of starfighters to the berth assigned to
Shyrack, between the
Queen Tetra's Revenge and a modified
Ministry-class shuttle. Tank used the front ramp to exit his shuttle, followed by Rex and Tex. Awed by the staggering variety of starcraft, Tank almost forgot why he was here. Rex trundled into the back of Tank's legs to nudge him forward. Snapping out of it but still giddy with the range of vessels on display, tank nonetheless sealed the
Shyrack, then proceeded to navigate his way among the parked fighters and transports.
Tank paused at what he thought; no, was certain was one of Jegora's ships. Their was no mistaking the some of the markings with which Jeg had personalized his craft. Except that now it was marred by an orange day-glo streak. Apparently someone (not Jeg) was a tad clumsy in parking their own craft. Scanning the area with his eyes, Tank spotted the culprit quickly. The orange day-glo G-Type light shuttle was unabashedly the most abonimable eyesore in the lot.
Jeg's likely to beat the owner to death... or damn close to it... "Rex, record the damage to Jeg's ship; photo and holo. Then let's get the registry of the G-wing."
"Deedoop. Whoooo" After scanning and recording the offending shuttle they continued on their way.
Pausing to straighten out his dress uniform, he entered the main ballroom, and dropped his jaw.
This is bigger than the Ice Hall created for the Winter Ball! Momentarily oblivious to the people around him, the stormtrooper was unaware of the approach of a tall woman in an Imperial Naval Officer's dress uniform. Until she used her index finger to raise his hanging jaw.
Blinking profusely as he returned to his senses, the redhead had his full attention. His jaw would have dropped again, were it not for her finger still supporting it. A strikingly handsome woman with mischief in her blue eyes, her long blood-red hair worn down and accented with black and white highlights. She was nearly as tall as he was, and filled out her uniform quite nicely...
Clean thoughts damnit! Clean thoughts! Non-coms are not supposed to view officers that way!"Back on the planet, trooper?" she asked in mock sarcasm. "A lot to take in isn't it?"
*gulp* "Um, uh, yeah, this vessel is, er, really something..." he struggled to remember what rank her insignia represented "...Admiral."
She laughed gently as she lowered her hand and surprised him again by taking his arm in hers. "Last time I checked,
Lance Corporals aren't able to promote
Line Captains to
Admirals." Tank was numbly aware she was leading him somewhere as they were walking. "Fleet Admirals tend to reserve that right for themselves. Allow me to introduce myself; Line Captain Zapara Talyn of the
Battlefront. And you are?"
"Lance corporal Baraka Kodex, BlackJack Squad. My friends call me Tank."
"A pleasure to meet you, Tank. Here we are, dance with me." Sounding more like an order than a request had the effect she desired; he didn't object and to his credit he didn't do too badly for someone maneuvered onto the dance floor without warning. Though she was clearly the superior dancer, he managed to keep up, if only just.
While they were dancing, Rex and Tex were getting chatty with a pink T3 and a ruby R7; Zapara's droids Spark and Ruby. Meanwhile, a scowling naval officer watching the couple stormed out in a hurry...
When the music ended she thanked him, and after a light peck on his cheek she was gone, disappearing in the general direction of the officers' lounge.
"What just happened?"
"You were used, little brother." said a familiar voice.
"Dillan?" he asked before he turned around. "Hey sis! Is Saedhe here? Or any of the rest of the clan?"
"Saedhe as usual couldn't make it, but Terena and Keval are around here somewhere. I spoke with them earlier."
"That's great! I--" ... "Wait a minute. What do you mean
used?"
The wicked smile that played on her lips told him it was bad before she uttered a single word. "Not only does she have to deal with
flyboys hitting on her, but there's an officer or two that can't take a hint, y'know?"
"So I was a convenient escape vector, basically?"
"Pretty much, bro..."
"So now I'm a marked man. Great. Just what I need..."
"Don't worry, if they're stupid enough to try something I'm sure you can handle yourself!"
"Thanks..."
"Ha-ha! Watch you're back!" Dillan gave Tank a brief hug before leaving to search out her friends. Tank looked around for friends/foes; no-one he know in the immediate vicinity except for his ASL. Gates was taking a break from sampling wines and spirits to laugh his ass off; prolly at Tank's expense.
"Swell." Tank saw Kand with Helena tearing up the dance floor.
If push comes to shove, I can count on them in a fight. Depending on how much he's had to drink, Garryll might gladly raise a body count not giving a damn whose bodies are supplied...Jeg and Aeos were deep in a conversation at their table, Lucky and Alan went to the dance floor as a slow song started; Tank was reluctant to drag them into something ugly as what his immediate future may hold. Considering his options, he decided to lay low for awhile.
Walking over to his droid companions, he kept as casual a manner as he could while staying alert for trouble. "C'mon guys. I'm going to the Pazaak tables and I need you two to watch my back." At Rex and Tex's alarmed beeping Tank added, "My dance partner has some unwanted admirers; one or more of them may decide to try something so stay alert." With that he casually skulked off to the gambling den, Rex and Tex silent as glided along after him.
Remembering what he saw in the hangar, Tank detoured over to Jeg and Aeos. He had to let Jeg know about the ship; the quandary was how to tell him without getting killed by an angry Jeg. Aeos was the first to notice Tank; reacting to the change in Aeos' focus Jeg whipped around to face a now startled and hesitant Tank. Aeos defused the situation my making introductions.
"Sergeant First Class Jegora Fal meet Lance Corporal Baraka Kodex."
Tank extended his hand, "A pleasure to make your acquaintance Sergeant Fal!"
"Likewise." Jeg replied as they shook hands.
"So Tank, what can we do for you?" Aeos asked.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you two, but I have some news for Sergeant Fal."
"Do you now?"
"Rex, show him." The astromech projected a scaled-down image of Jeg's ship then zoomed in on the streak that didn't belong. Before Jeg could question Tank, the image changed to a view of the G-Type shuttle with registry data taken from the vessel's own BoSS transponder. Aeos recognized the craft, and Jeg saw her reaction. Seeing he had noticed, she drew close and whispered in his ear. He was reddening before, but now he was a shade Tank hadn't yet seen on a human as Jeg's face contorted in anger.
"That fat bastard!
Now he's worth the effort of killing!" As he looked for the annoying bureaucrat that was harassing Aeos earlier, Aeos tried calming a bit. "Tank, transmit a copy of this to my ship for later..."
"Of course." He nodded at Rex who beeped in acknowledgement as he relayed the data. "Sorry to bear bad news. The damage is only cosmetic, I'd be happy to fix it for you when we're back on Tadath. I have more than a few days left before I'm deployed again, so anytime that's convenient for you shouldn't be a problem."
Jeg considered it, "Thanks Tank. I'll let you know."
"I'm sorry, I'll let you two get back to your conversation. I'll be in the gambling den if you need me."
As he passed an unoccupied table Tank snatched an unused napkin while his other hand retrieved the pen in his pocket. Tank scribbled a short message on it as he walked. He was done by the time he reached the gambling halls. The air was rich with a variety of aromas, burning incense kept the cigarras and similar indulgences from being overpowering. Tank spotted Fury raking in another fortune at one of the Sabacc tables and navigated his way over.
I hope Fury doesn't think I'm gonna harass him about cruisers here...Maneuvering his way past Fury he clapped him on the back as he congratulated him on his win, shaking hands briefly before moving on. Fury knew something was up when the trooper slipped the napkin into his hand. As other players shuffled about, coming or going, a few brave souls preparing for another round Fury discreetly moved his hand just below the table to unfold the napkin.
The message was simple enough, 'Keep playing but keep sharp; trouble may be coming for me. Tank'
Well, this shindig just got more interesting...Tank let his opponent win the first hand. Calmly baiting the other play to always go for the win, forcing him to use up his best cards early while Tank held out. Tank had two ties, but eventually landed the win. "Pure Pazaak!" Thus he set the pace at his table...
