Log:Just Moff Things: Dead Air

Just Moff Things: Dead Air

OOC Date: February 23, 2021
Location: Derriphan
Participants: Kuolo, Chesille Sabrond, Shivan and special appearance by Hadrix Kora

Shivan left the meeting with Flex and Kuolo after being alerted to a problem with her father. After briefings of her own, Shivan was on the bridge staring out into the blackness of space that surrounded them at Ringali. There was also a star destroyer blocking her view sometimes, but she'd deal. She's dressed in her black robes now, but they've been trimmed in red and her gloves are a crimson red as well today. Her mask is firmly in place and her hair is left down and falls in onyx waves.

Her yellow gaze is troubled for the moment. Nara, a silver haired older woman that is dressed in royal purple and silver robes is not far from her. Shivan had asked for people to meet her on the bridge for a small meeting. But did not give a what the meeting was about over the channels. She was polite like she tended to be.

The bridge doors slide open with a hiss. As the sound of the locking mechanism calls out, Sabrond steps into view. The woman takes a deep breath through her nostrils after coming to a stop. She's here on business, but the naval officer can't help to cast her stone-like gaze onto her subordinates. It's an old Sith tradition. Her hands are folded back behind her as she steps back into motion, approaching Shivan with a slow stroll.

The deck officers recognize the irregularity of the visit. Rather than getting involved, they intentionally remain at the far side of the bridge, directing operations as if the two intimidating figures and icy Captain weren't around.

The Captain looks as if she is about to introduce her presence, but at the last second, chooses not to. She settles into her typical statue-like appearance, waiting for everyone to arrive.

Kuolo had left the meeting to meet with an expert on Star Destroyer systems. The small impromptu team of Engineer, Sorceror and Slicer were discussing the potentialities of remotely accessing and correcting the logs of one of the other Star Destroyers at Ringali. It was harmless enough a topic of discussion--What, was Vahn going to get more angry at them?

Nara gives a respectful dip of her head to the Captain as she comes closer, but she excuses herself from Shivan's side for the moment to go over something on the datapad that she holds. Shivan gives a look over her shoulder and then lets her hands unfold for a moment, "Captain." she inclines her head to her. "I apologize for calling you away from your other duties. I am sure this won't take long." she offers to the woman.

Then she's turning to head towards one of the stations on the bridge that holds the information she'd need, "Moff Ulani has gone radio silent. Which is unlike him. He left for a research expedition a few days ago and his contacts have not heard from him. Which could mean a few things." she sighs. "With us just starting a campaign here I know that it is sometimes unwise to split resources for a search and recovery mission." she admits. "But it is something that I will need to look into and I might need a few others if there are volunteers." she adds.

"Volunteers?" The word is enough to break through the Captain's emotionless barrier. Her facial expression shows a flash of surprise. It's as if the word isn't in her vocabulary. "What resources do you think you will need?" There won't be any volunteers, at least any that aren't also being told to do it. It takes Sabrond a few seconds to collect herself fully. She takes a mental step backwards, taking resources off the table for the moment. "Is this something that can't be resolved with a single scout ship? Perhaps a search isn't even necessary."

"Good, see what you can't do. If we need to stage something, contact me," Kuolo says with an icy voice, before the pair nod between themselves and are excused. They crowd around a datapad as they walk, planning and scheming. A moment is taken to regard the CIC overview of Ringali. It was about that time the word volunteers was emphasized, and Kuolo offers a sidelong, masked look towards the pair.

Shivan would chuckle but she's not rude or going to do that, she does take a breath though, "I probably will just need a unit and a scout ship would do. I am hoping that all that has happened is a small crash and radios or something of the sort is out. He took a small team with him and I am unsure if there was a techician of any kind among them as I was left out of planning for his trip due to other duties." she states. She looks to Kuolo when she realizes his not far and there's a dip of her head to him. Then she's getting back to the talk at hand, "Should be a fairly easy endeavor. Or so I hope." she offers.

Gears silently turn in the woman's head. She works out a number of scenarios before speaking. "There will be no volunteers." Sabrond is stuck on the terminology from before. "You will have a platoon, a shuttle, and an escort. They will serve with pleasure." Her eyes shift between both Shivan and Nara. The captain quietly examines the two, not certain what to make of the situation. She is clearly preoccupied with sorting through the components of the conversation.

Kuolo takes a moment to walk along one of the pits, observing them quietly. It created nerves. Somehow the lack of emotional response to critical observation was worse than someone being furious. At least, it was worse for those that lived. After a moment of cold staring, Kuolo is on the move again, intercepting Shivan and Sabrond.

Shivan gives a chuckle finally, "Thank you, Captain Sabrond. I would not want to take a platoon without letting someone know or ask first. So I appreciate it greatly." she states. "I will make sure that they come back intact." she adds. The older woman gives a smile and taps a note into the datapad that she holds. She is Shivan's wrangler after all. So note taking sometimes happens. "We'll set out as soon as possible. I am hoping that this will all be handled before our campaign here begins in earnest so that my attention is not divided between things." she admits. Then her yellow gaze is tracking Kuolo as he approaches.

There are a number of things that Sabrond would like to say, but the inner politician in herself cuts everything short. The woman takes a step back from both Shivan and the 'older woman', offering them an exit if they choose. "Good hunting." She wishes with a flat professionalism, not certain what else to add. Her focus remains entirely set on the two before her, ignoring Kuolo's approach.

Kuolo felt what he had with Sabrond was easilyt described as a good working relationship. He left the Naval Command to her. More than that, he trusted her to it. She was a good fit. Almost perfectly grown and groomed for the role. Who knew!

Stepping away from the pit, the men each begin breathing normally again. Kuolo could sense it, but, he didn't fight it. As Sabrond had said--They weren't volunteers. They were soldiers.

"Sir," one of the deck officers say, rising from the pit to present Sabrond with some information. A small datapad with information on it, "A communication request." This causes Kuolo to pique in interest. A glance is given towards Sabrond from the porcelain mask of Kuolo.

Holographic Transmission ::::

Hologram Resolving *flicker* in holographic spectacular, Hadrix Kora stands with hands folded before his waist, right hand on left control gauntlet panel. No helmet on, no scars either that at least one person might have recognized. "Lord Bryce." the glow of the bionic right eye an azure star *flicker* in the recording.

"Or Kuolo... or whatever you're calling yourself. I forget. Too many names." a half grin on his features, "You're still alive." head tilting to one side while *flicker* he *flicker* remains with his attention rapt on the man before him. "I have a request." glass and gravel voice neutral despite the built in growl drenched in contradictory Coruscanti upper tier accent.

Shivan gives a dip of her head to Sabrond, "Hopefully it will be good." she states. She motions for Nara to go ahead and depart and the silver haired woman starts off after she's deposited the datapad into a pocket of her robes and then smoothed them again. Shivan however stops and gives a look to Kuolo as he is told there is a communication request. Maybe that was her father telling them there was a problem or that they were alright?

But it isn't. Shivan's hooded head tilts to the side for a moment curiously. She didn't recognize that voice at all. She stands quietly, watching with rapt attention as the strangers features are projected to them.

Sabrond accepts the datapad, giving a nod in approval to the deck officer. Her flat expression is cast at the screen. She's hiding a buried confusion from everyone around. "Mute the transmission." The woman's order is directed down to the pit at her feet. "Transfer the signal to a secure terminal at the rear of the bridge." She is under the impression that Kuolo will not want whatever Hadrix is about to say broadcast to the crew. In fact, she doesn't want Kuolo's business broadcast to the entire bridge. For so many reasons.

"It's for you."

The Captain's attention matches 'Lord Bryce's', realizing that the sorcerer's gaze had already fallen on her. "If you would like, I will have them close the connection."

Kuolo is quick to cross the bridge, casting the cloak of his robes behind him as he does. A black, gloved hand taps on the monitor and draws the communication through. Then, he saw who it was.

The face of the man is instantly recognized, and there is an instantaneous change in the world around Kuolo. The mask settles on the viewport, and the bantha-hide gloves covering Kuolo's hands tighten dramatically.

"Lieutenant Leven and her allies paid dearly for my mercy," Kuolo says slowly, seething, "I would hate for her hard work to go to waste because of foolishness." Centering on Kuolo, a bitter, freezing wind begins to circle. It was invisible, of course, but the changing temperature created a pressure change that made wind. Around them, officers and soldiers' breath began to appear. Those closest to him were quick to back away, leaving their rimed terminals in place. Ice settles around Kuolo, creeping along the floor outward from his form.

Hologram "I wasn't at Exegol, Dreman. I left before that, remember?" Hadrix doesn't move, just a looming *flicker* figure - maybe tiny, maybe full size, but there is still the looming stance and posture to the *flicker* man who became *flicker* a warlord in his own right.

"And we still set that field for you." *flicker* brow *flicker* over his right eye lifting for a moment. *flicker* "I am interested on hunting some of the creatures on Dathomir. Kylo and Oran wouldn't let the rest of us have the coordinates that day I was used as a slipper by one *flicker* of the spiders. I have no interest in trying *flicker* to find any of your sorcerous artifacts or going near any of your ruins or relics. I just want to blast a few things and if myself and mine find anything that would be of interest of you, I'll contact you first to find if you want geo-positioning coordinates, or if you want *flicker* it delivered."

At last he moves, head tilting to one side, "Fair?"

Oh, that's no good. Shivan is probably one of the only ones that is silly enough to move TOWARDS Kuolo in those moments. She doesn't stand close or intrude. But she does stand off to the side at a goodly distance so that she can send Nara on her way and send the BB-Unit off with her. Her yellow gaze settles on the scene at hand, but she doesn't dare speak or interject for the time being.

"Trace that connection." The Captain's breath flows from her mouth as a thin mist. Her eyes track Kuolo as he moves to the rear of the bridge. A gloved hand points at the deck officer. With a scowl, she tosses jagged motions towards the ground, signaling for them to come closer. She whispers. "Record that transmission, review it, then destroy it. I want a verbal report as soon as you have analyzed it." Sabrond's glance shifts to Shivan, studying the robed figures as they APPROACH 'Bryce'.

"You've contacted a military flagship, in the middle of a campaign, to ask a Sith for the private coordinates to his mother's home, for a camping trip?" A black gloved fist rises, tightening just in frame before it snaps forward, colliding with the terminal's recorder. On the other side of the communication, Kuolo's blue, holographic face splinters. Another rise of the fist, before it collides again. There's a snap, barely detectable, as a pair of bones splinter in Kuolo's hand.

Around the edges of the fractured and splintered recording, ice begins to form and spread across the frame. Suddenly, an electric squeal drowns out the din of sound around them. The crimson blade is in frame for only a second before the terminal is entirely destroyed, and the signal dies.

Connection lost.

Hologram Hadrix still exists on other systems even as the current holo-terminal is destroyed, that connection lost and Hadrix's head tips to the other side.

"Not my war, not unless I'm paid. It's your war. So as far as I'm concerned, just another ship and your comms officer answered." a *flicker* flicker of something across the Mandalorian's bearded face before he *flicker* continues, "As for your mother's homeworld? *flicker* I never knew that, your files were sealed. Not a camping trip either, Dreman. It's a hunt. Strength against strength, I thought your kind could appreciate that. We'll steer *flicker* clear of the Nightsisters" a term learned after *flicker* that one voyage taken *flicker* there under Kylo's commands. "There's *flicker* no disrespect. I would not have contacted if I didn't think that world would have been *flicker* a proper challenge." the brow is still up and *flicker* the glowing pupil of the bionic *flicker* flashes.

"So. Now that I know it is the world of your mother - I'll bandy some compliment *flicker* that if she grew there, she must *flicker* be tough as duranium nails. My *flicker* question still stands. If yes? *flicker* Fantastic. If *flicker* no? Then I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me, however briefly. It has been too long, Dreman. You were one of *flicker* those outside of the Corps that was at least respectful."

"Clear the bridge." Shivan's voice usually isn't something that is raised or filled with anything that approaches anger, but it is getting pretty heated now. She's then trying to figure out how to end this without getting herself shiv'd by a lightsaber or shocked. She gives a look to Kuolo, eyes filled with...something for a moment. But whatever it is she's trying to do doesn't seem to get through and the woman looks towards the screen that is being smashed. Well, that won't buff out.

The picture had faded, but the audio had been picked up by his helmet, tying in automatically. How convenient! After the terminal was murdered with extreme prejudice, his hand remained clenched on the lightsaber, white-knuckled. His breathing was steady, even if Shiv could sense the rage boiling over from within him.

The freezing wind begins to abate, slowly succumbing to the heat from the bridges' regulators. The freeze was fading as control returned to Kuolo. He exhales.

Shivan's order to leave the room is by far the sanest thing one can do. Most of the bridge crew only complies as Sabrond gives an assuring nod. The Captain reaches out to grab the deck officer that was in whispering distance. No matter what happened, they were going to ride out the storm. The absolute last thing she wanted was for an emotionally compromised madman alone with access to the ship's weapon systems. At the very least, she was going to die before anything catastrophic could happen. And...the deck officer was going to go down with her.

The crew continues to scatter even as Kuolo starts to calm down. Most of them are panicked by the laser sword drive rage. "Cut that transmission." The commander's voice orders to the remaining cultist beside her.

Shivan looks at the aftermath of the slight temper tantrum and there is a look towards the doors to the bridge before she heads that way. They open and then she gives a look back to Kuolo, "We'll have someone take care of the terminal." she tells him simply. Is she not acknowledging him beating the terminal to death or is she not mentioning it because she doesn't want to get pulped herself? The world will never know. But for the moment she knows that they cannot do much else besides move forward.

Finally, a kind of emptiness returns to Kuolo, and he considers the scene. FInally, Kuolo straightens and he regards Sabrond for a moment. The lightsaber dies with a snap of energy. "Regrettably, a personal matter has interrupted our business," he says, nodding once. "We must not become distracted from our goal: this system is the key to the locks that bind our people," he states. A sidelong glance is given to Shivan, as, somewhere in his mind, a little voice comes forward.

"They'll find her. They'll find all of them. Your work, ruin."

Holographic Transmission ::::

Hologram Seeing Kuolo vibrating, Hadrix stands up straight again, a slight frown in his features. "You look perturbed. We can discuss it at a later time, Dreman." *flicker* because sometimes breaking name association is HARD. "I have no quarrel with you. It's not my war, I have my own." expression *flicker* remaining politely neutral still in the face of porcelain masked rage.

"I'm not an enemy, not unless you make *flicker* me one. If you don't want to grant ability to hunt on Dathomir, you don't. If you do, we go out remote. If we find something, it's yours." a brief nod. "Stay alive, Dreman. Maybe we'll meet again." and with that the big man nods to something off screen, *flicker* the holo-view bobs and then disconnects.

Holographic Transmission ::::