Kami slowed as she entered the narrow hallway of the Raiders barracks, her bright green eyes taking in the unfamiliar steel walls and innumerable awards and battle tokens lining them. She was clad in her dress uniform, fresh from a meeting with Colonel Rizzit and a team of his command staff. Each had welcomed her warmly to her new position as Platoon Adjacent, though none could particularly hide the fact that they were wary of an untried ex squad leader taking on such an pivotal role in the face of the Colonel's absence. She was after all, a soldier at heart, attempting to fill the boots of the extremely talented Major and former squad mate who had served before her, Raziel.

Feeling distinctly uncomfortable in her current guise, Kami continued across the battered hallway floor, its sleek surface marred by the scratches and dents of generations of troopers as they went about their daily business. Such scars, whilst not particularly attractive, served as a simple reminder that the Raiders were a well established squad of the Vast Empire Army that continued to proudly exist despite the continual shifts to its roster as men and women were killed in service. Their barracks, so different to the gleaming new barracks in which Iron Horse had been housed, had a sense of history and tradition to its design.

"Sergeant!"

Kami jolted out of her reverie as a young soldier, clipboard in hand, appeared abruptly from a small door on her right.

"Oh, sorry Sarge, I didn't mean to scare you," He apologized, scooting over and throwing a smart salute, "I'm under orders to escort you to your room, this place is a bit of a maze."

"That would be great, thanks," Kami offered the man a warm smile, then followed as he turned and darted off down the hallway, dodging troops as he did so. Within a few moments he halted at an open door, "This is yours. If you need anything, there's always some on duty staff back near the entrance that can help you out."

Glancing in at the modest room, which contained only a bed, some storage space, and a small refresher, Kami turned to her guide, not particularly attracted to the idea of spending the next few hours stuck within her room unpacking, "Is there city access near here?"

"Yes ma'am, just across the road," Her guide replied. "Though if you're thinking about getting a drink the barrack mess is..."

"Thanks for all your help," Kami interrupted smoothly, "But what I drink generally isn't served in Imperial messes."

The guides grin widened, "In that case try Balin's Tav in the red light district. It's a new place but he has one hell of a range." Throwing another salute, he turned to go, "Oh, and welcome to the Raiders Sergeant."

Kami watched him make his way up the hallway, then stepped inside her room and cast her soaking wet duffel bag on her bed. Taking in the gloom visible outside her window, she bit back a sigh, then made her way to the refresher.

No matter how bad the weather, she really needed a drink.

*        *        *        *        *        *        *

Balin's Tavern wasn't the most impressive of establishments, but it was busy enough that Kami could see no visible seats. Flicking her long, dark hair over her shoulder, she shoved past a group of bickering Zabraks and leaned against the large wooden bar that dominated an entire wall of the tavern.

"Well hey there sugar," An ageing woman, her hair streaked with signs of silver, turned to face her from behind the bar, "What can I get you?"

"Whiskey," Kami replied, "I don't mind what type, as long as its strong."

The barmaid offered her a sly wink, dumped a none too clean glass down on the bar and filled it right to the brim with the clear honey colored liquor, "There you go hun, enjoy."

"Ain't that a little strong for a slim thing like you?" The man to Kami's right, who had been watching the exchange between the two women intently, now leaned forward, flashing Kami a sleazy smile before turning to the barmaid, "Sasha, put that on my tab will you?"

Sasha arched her eyebrows, gave Kami a once over, then sighed, "Ok Dale, but I don't like your chances."

Unperturbed by the barmaid's comment, Dale slid even closer along the bar towards Kami, his head rolling slightly on his shoulders and his eyes half glazed over, "So...what's a classy girl like you doing in a joint like this."

Cringing inwardly at the one liner, Kami took a large swig of her whiskey, the liquid leaving a fiery trail down the back of her throat. Trying to ignore Dale's labored breathing as he alternated between attempting to form another sentence and passing out she glanced frantically about for someone or something to save her. Seeing a sea of alien faces Kami started to turn back to the bar when a familiar figure caught her eye.

Quickly downing the rest of her whiskey, she turned and flashed Dale a smile, "Thanks for the drink." Not hanging around long enough to hear his reply she moved swiftly across the tavern floor, coming to a stop near the table where the lone man sat nursing a bourbon in his hands.

"Room at this table for one more?" She asked him, laughing at the shocked expression which appeared on his face.

"Kami! Gods!" Eviscares came to his feet, engulfing Kami in a hug, "I thought you'd retired!"

Pulling away from her friend, Kami took in his appearance. Though he had aged little in the few months she had been away there were new scars within the contours of his face, new stress lines across his forehead and a newfound wisdom within his grey blue eyes that came only from experience within the field.

"I did," She told him, "But the order never felt much like home."

Still broadly grinning, Evi gestured to the spare chair, "Take a seat Sarge, and I'll buy you a few rounds."

-----------------------
Raiders
PA/GSG_Kami/3SQD/1PLT/1XOM/1RGT/1BAT/VEA/VE/Tadath [LoR][CoR][IG][GCA][BC]
|| DJK Dark Jedi Order || Krath || Vast Empire ||
-=Surrender to your darkest dreams, and you'll live as you've never lived before=-
+ Advance Recon Commandos {ARC} +

The red Twi'Lek gasped when he woke up. Where am I. He was in a so called hotel deep down in the slums. His 'Room' was like a torpedo pit. Even though enough room to lay down. His belongings were in a locker outside. He openend the pit's lid and slid out, head over feet. Cold light burned his eyes and he hissed for a second, before he made his way to the bathroom.

If he were a human, the heat would have turned his skin deep red. The bath was filled with mist by the waters heat. He dryed up and made his way to the lockers. After the third try the key turned and Shado Saresh got dressed. Big pullover, cargo pants, big boots. Leather gloves and two long but thin...Heads for his Lekku. All black. A bit of makeup. Pack up. Leave.

It's afternoon. Just right time to get breakfast. Shado Sarseh No. Culexus. Stormtrooper. Raider. made his way through the alleys. First stop is a small shop
"Tobbaco, fine cut. Papers. - Yes, sir - And a lighter. Gas." He lighted this day's first cicarette. The smoke made his way down the throat to his lungs an filled it with a comfortable burning.

Next stop was this little bar...

The door opened a bit and a more then 2 meters tall light build made his way in. only his face could be seen...deep red skin. Two Lekku fell down his back. He made his way to the Barkeeper and ordered the 'breakfast'
"Vodka and tabasco or some...eg...no matter what kind of...a few rolls..."
and checked out the room. This two people over there... i think i've seen them before...Raiders? he checked his Datapad. Yes, these two were raiders. He walked to there table. any space for a third person? he asked and bend forward, his right hand on the table. An Empire dog tag was wraped around his wrist. He smiled. His teeth were pointed and look more shark like then human.
 
-----------------------
of all the things i've lost
i miss my mind the most

They had both sat down and even though Evis was a little low on cash, he had kept the rounds coming. By now there was already an impressive collection of shot glasses piling up in front of him and Kami. Being both, drunk and happy to see each other again it didn't take the two ex-Ironhorse troopers long until they started to wallow in nostalgia about 'The good ol' days'. A lot of Stories were exchanged, collective memories, making the past seem like a much more desirable place to be. But the constant talk about the past didn't only bring the good memories along. Inside Evis' head there was a barrier like a dam. And by now it was showing first fissures caused by an overdose of past.

So somehow they both got a little bit down again. For maybe a minute they just stared the other into the eyes, but when Kami's eyes really were the mirror of her soul, Evis thought, he'd rather not get there.
It was this thought that made him utter the first word into that almost sacred silence. And after the first a second followed and before he could stop himself, Eviscares was telling Kami what he had never told anyone before and in a strange way it relieved him to see how she sat across the table and just listened to him.

Then after he had told her all the things he never said before she laid her hand on his arm and it was good. It simply was. With a warm smile Kami said:"Hey 'cares, I'll back you up when you need me, O.K.?"

"Thank you!", was all he could answer, feelin vastly better than he had felt before leaving the barracks.

It seemed like Kami wanted to add something but just as she opened her mouth to speak, the words: "Any space for a third person?", cut her off.

The person that said that was a stranger that they hadn't paid any attention to yet.
"In this Sprawl of Races even a red Twi'lek isn't extraordinary", Evis thought to himself after examining the newcomer. A red Twi'lek?!"

But Kami had been faster than him. "If I am right, you must be the new guy in Raiders, aight?", she asked and added: "Saw your face in a holo about the new additions to come. Sit down, I'm Kami."

The Twi'lek looked at Eviscares again, who also motioned him to sit down, and with a sigh let himself fall onto a chair that was a little too small for him. "I'm Culexus", he introduced himself, nodding at Eviscares and Kami. Eviscares answered this by motioning a sleazy salute with his right index finger, "Eviscares", he said.

While Kami was chitchatting a bit with Culexus, Eviscares took his time to examin him even further. What startled him a bit where his pointed teeth. But, why worry? If they had let him into the Army, he had to be quite O.K..

"Mind if I join you?", a quite familiar voice asked and Evis looked up just to see Darr standing their, unknowingly clenching his new arm with the biological arm. He looked better than the last time when Evis had seen him, but the incident must have had quite an impact on him.

"Hell, surely not. Sit down!", he replied when he became aware of the fact that he had been staring at Darr for about a minute or maybe longer.

It seemed like Darr hadn't noticed either because he just sat down and took a look at the others, waving a bit. "Hi fellas", he said,"drinks on me!"
 
-----------------------

Raiders

Iron Horse Squad forever in my heart!

TRP/CPL_Eviscares/3SQD/1PLT/1COM/1RGT/1BAT/VEA/VE/Tadath [LoR]

Rogueboy was driving in his speeder looking for Balin's Tav, passing by a dimly lit building Rogue was able to make out the letters B A L and that was enough for Rogue to look for a parking spot, finding one behind Balin's in an alley.

Rogue entered Balin's Tav people's head turned to give him the once over, Balin's was a quiet bar and most of its customers were regulars, Rogue spotted the seated Raiders and made his way over elbowing himself past two men, Rogue pulled up a seat. "Heya boys, and girl." Rogue said smoothly a grin on his face. Raiders didn't go out all that often together, other than missions and pre/post mission, now that Rogue thought about it they went out pretty often as they are always on a mission.

The Raiders returned the greeting, Rogue finally noticed the new recruit Culexus. "Ahh a reddie, time to make you a greenie." Rogue said as he caught the attention of a waitress. "I want a two rows of four shots each, one row of whiskey, another of..." Rogue looked at Culexus waiting for him to finish the sentence, which he did. "Rum."

Rogue grinned as Culexus made the order. "Rum and whiskey now there is a man I would hate to drink against." Rogue glanced around the table and saw Kami and Evi staring at him open mouthed. "What did I do now?"

A man made his way over to the table a pitcher of beer in his hand, his breath smelled terrible and he did the trademark drunk stumble. "Whoa there buddy let me help you with that as Rogue took the pitcher and glasses from his hand, Rogue pulled up a seat between himself and Culexus but the man already pulled one up between Kami and Eviscares, despite Evi's obvious anger. Rogue poured the drinks and handed one to each of the five-seated men, and than the shots came.

Rogue turned to the squad. "Anyone see Aphamos or Yillis?"

Darr and Evi started speaking at the same time, but Evi stopped and let Darr continue. "Aphamos is doing some work and may come join us later."

Evi took up right after Darr. "Yillis should be here at any moment."

Rogue grabbed the shot of whiskey and raised his shot glass, the other members of Raiders raised there while the man who identified himself as Dale raised his mug of beer, Rogue let Darr do the toast as is his job of Squad Leader. "To the Raiders, alive and dead, may we never fall or fail." The squad nodded their heads and downed their glasses, Dale took a sip of his beer, Darr raised the rum shot, and the squad did likewise. "This one is to Culexus, the rookie. Cheers." The squad clinked their glasses together and downed them.

Rogue kept looking between Kami and Dale, Dale's smashed idiotic grin and Kami's forced smile, Rogue grinned and leaned to Evi. "They would make such a cute couple." Evi choked on his beer and foam came out of his nose, Rogue let out a laugh, as well as anyone that heard the remark.

 
-----------------------
He will give them death, and they will love him for it -Gladiator

TRP/LCPL_Rogueboy/1SQD/1PLT/COMP/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VE [LoR]

*92% of teens have moved onto rap. If you are part of the 8% that still listen to real music,
copy and paste this into your signature.*