Log:Resistance: Going the Mile
Going the Mile
OOC Date: September 26,2018
Location: Corellia
Participants: Ambrosia Greystorm(GM), Jax Greystorm, Alexis Carew, Jaya Kassis, David Ironside, The Resistance
Haulin Assets is, indeed hauling assets. A variety of assets.
The blossom wine has come from Ax and Qadira's winery on Naboo, casks nestled together in the cargo hold like precious eggs, but bears a stamp of a different name for sake of sparing the little family any backlash should things turn south on this Op. Lek-Lek's Libations it reads. Wholesale supplier of fine wines and distilled spirits...
The other assets have come straight from the reforged Resistance hideout...by way of Nar Shaddaa. Naboo - Nar Shaddaa - Corellia. It's as sincere and pristine a jump log as can legitimately exist with current crew on board.
Standing in the doorway between cockpit and central interior is Brigadier General Greystorm, looking younger and fresher than she has in ... we won't say how long. Where is Jax's mother? Where is the old dog of war? Buried beneath layers of makeup to hide the scars and washes of dye to turn her gold'n'silver locks a rich auburn shade. She's donned a cream and burgundy pantsuit over the top of her skin-hugging bodysuit and traded the skull-stomping boots for a pair of snazzy pumps. The olive green outerwear is slung haphazardly over one shoulder like she's posing for a fashion ad. Her expression though? It's anything but charismatic.
"Everyone remember their new identities? Sound'em off." She thumbs her chest. "Ms. Tyruni, VP of sales for Lek-Lek's Libations....I'm ensuring our client is pleased with the condition of Mr Lek-Lek's product upon arrival and will be footing the company bill for a lovely luncheon after the shipment is offloaded."
"Tera Bluestreak. Originally from Tatooine," Alexis says next "Added on at the last minute I have many duties including accounting. It's my job to make sure we deliver what we said we were and to get paid what we are due per the contracts and turn those reports to over to," she points at Amber "you, ma-am."
David Ironside, from the co-pilot's seat, chimes in after Alexis. "Karbren Salnort." He sounds none too happy about it, but it's not like he picked a name out of a hat. Or a list on the Holonet just a minute ago. Identities are an Intel thing. He's currently dressed for comfort, long trips through hyperspace nothing new for the experienced pilot. "Space trucker. Basically." he adds, putting a profession with the name.
The navi-computer begins to beep repeatedly until Jax Greystorm reaches out and pushes forward the hyperdrive levers. The ship suddenly lurches as a result as outside there comes a blinding bright flash followed by the reverse flow of starlines becoming stars.
Jax Greystorm was sitting on the port side of the cockpit in pilots seat. "Crash Garret, freelance pilot." He looks over at David Ironside and over the dark glasses that match Cometburn, "Space trucker? No pride in you're work of moving illegal wares from one side of the galaxy as the other." Jax had trimmed up his beard and made it look like a mustache and goatee. The black cap and shades were the only real changes to his wardrobe. Though as he looks up at Amber. He picks up a datapad and snap a pick.
Jaya comes into the area late having checked on their cargo briefly.She catches the tailend of everyone sharing their disguise names, but she'd put herself at risk having a disguise name while wearing her Corellian blood striped trousers. She had agreed to the mission to be a local native who had some connections with the authorities given her recent retirement. "Kassis, retired CorSec now a deckhand for the ship, living the easy life of honest work." She takes a casual lean against the bulkhead and crosses her arms.
"Right," Ambrosia grunts, possibly having just made them sound off for her OWN benefit as well. Aging is one thing, but aging with a side of brain injury? It's a shitstorm. A Greystorm shitstorm. This is why she keeps notes, though. "Cept these goods we got are, in fact, leg---g'dammit," she cuts off with a growl and meaningful point at Jax and his suspiciously angled datapad. "What happens on Op remains on Op, kid, and your father's got no eyes for it, we clear?" It's a blend of momma bear and drill sergeant coming from her mouth, likely a familiar tune to the Greystorm children. "S'funny, playin dress up and all, but the reason we're here ain't." Not that she really needs to tell anyone that. There are some native Corellians aboard, herself excluded. She straightens her totally unruffled blouse with a little jerk on the hem and paces back to hold onto something as the ship trembles a familiar tremble and they emerge from hyper.
"Right, so we cooperate with the nice customs officers, they inspect our cargo, we offload, we go about our business. Ax's restauranteer contact should be waiting for us to arrive in port, so he might be a help to legitimizing our stay." And then the ominous warning from Subjugation transmits through and she takes a deep breath. It begins. "Gonna make this a quick trip, those of us returning to home, anyway." A solemn nod of understanding goes to the additional Army grunts rattling around in their jumpseats back there. "We stay away too long and some deck officer's gonna take note of our bird still sittin. Randal, Turik, Goff...you three will continue to be our eyes and ears after we leave. I'm sure Essie'll be plenty hospitable."
Alex, now Tera nods as she listens to the General. "I'll try to remain in the back if possible. This is all kinda new to me."
David turns to Jax, raising an eyebrow. "If you've been flying solo for as long as I have you slip into routine, kid." he offers to the man only -slightly- older than himself. A light starts flashing on the dash in front of him, and he turns towards the back of the ship. "Contact. Who wants to take this?" He turns back to face forward, finger hovering over the 'incoming transmission' button. "That'll be the First Order welcoming committee."
'Crash' Garrett slips the datapad back into a pocket. He gives his mother a small grin before the ship sounds the alarm and goes back ot real space. Saved by the bell. He turns back and starts to plot a course for Corellia as it appears on the scopes. "How about you handle that four us good buddy. Since it's an old routine for you. Just don't 10200 on the com talking to the Stormies."
Jaya listens quietly before turning from the crew up front. She's pulling on her coat and gloves to prepare for moving the cargo. Offloading tended to be a pretty quick routine, she just wanted to be ready to do the manual labor so they could progress through the checkpoint at an efficient pace and get on with their mission.
"They've scanned us, they know who our ship is. Just tell'em what we got on board. Delivery for the 'Coronet Star'," Ambrosia instructs calmly but soberly, passing a glance around. "We'll show them the manifest when we power down. Let the dock workers service the ship and that'll be our out to go grab a bite elsewhere, yeah?"
"You got it, boss lady." David replies, finger opening the comm line to the Subjugation. <<This is the VCX-350 Haulin Assets.>> he starts. A crisp Core Worlds accented voice replies. <<State your business on Corellia, Haulin Assets.>> David exhales before replying. <<Got a delivery on board for the Coronet Star. Taking the ship to Coronet to unload.>> he manages. He's a fighter pilot, he shouldn't be talking to these people. <<Haulin Assets, you are cleared to land at Coronet Starport. Over and out.>> David breaks the connection after signing off with the officer, turning back. "See, that wasn't so bad, right? We're at least on the planet, now."
"Nice work." Jax says as he brings the Haulin Assets into orbit and adjusts his bearing setting cours for Coronet City Public Space port. He opens up a channel, <Customs, this is Hauling Assets requesting permission to land. I'm broadcasting our manifest now.> There goes a moment a bit longer than the First Order. <Assets, your clearned for landing at Dock 36 Beta. Be prepared to be boarded and shipping manifest updated.> Jax looks back to Amber. <Adfirmative Customs. We will be prepared. Haulin Assets over and out.> He calls out to Jaya, "When did an Ithor Garden ship move into orbit around Corellia?"
Jaya was standing in the passageway leading to the back when she heard a Corellia oriented question she wasn't sure was addressed to her, but she turned anyway with a confused look on her face. "Well, that wasn't here when I was. Maybe there's a big salad convention or something, you know? Health nuts and all that.." She shrugged and turned, laughing at her own joke while swaggering on down the passageway to meet the customs boys to know when they could move their goods.
Might be no one's happier to be on planet than 'Ms Tyruni'. "Hard part's over," she agrees, smirking at Jaya's bad joke. "No danger in being blown into particulate down here. Just detainment." Just. "I'm going out to meet the welcome committee with her. Somebody watch my six. Y'know. All civilian like." A grimace and she paces on toward the ramp and keys in the code.
As predicted, the First Order Overlords have a small presence overseeing port activity and a pair of customs officers are waiting to greet the arriving merchants with sallow stares. "Manifest," one commands more than requests, hand outheld to receive the deets and compare to what's about to come out of the hold. In said hold, the spare army 'grunts' are assembling to help Jaya offload. Heads down, jumpsuits scuffed and namebadged appropriately with fictional company logo. All matchy matchy. Ambrosia's handbag tucked under arm sports the same logo. She fishes an ID from said handbag.
"Lovely weather, is it not?" she small talks in that aristocratic tone suggesting she doesn't give a rat's arse what the peons surrounding her company ship think. Equally uncaring is the 1 customs agent and accompanying trooper than mosey on up the ramp past her. Her finger's itching to slip a lil somethin free from the inside of her jacket, but the hands fold complacently behind.
"ID?" they inquire of those inside.
David pops out of his seat when the ship touches down, slipping into his cool leather jacket while the engines audibly shut down. He picks an ID badge and attaches it to his chest. K. Salnort, the badge says. He gives the agent and trooper a nod, grunting when they stop and the agent looks at him expectantly. "Right. Hang on, yeah?" David offers gruffly, displaying the inside of the left side of his jacket. "Just getting my ID." He pulls the card from his pocket and hands it over for inspection. He says nothing while the officer decides his fate.
Jax stands up and holds his hands up as Customs enters the ship. He keeps his face down for the moment as he make sure he's not dealing with Corsec personnel. Never know when *THAT* will come back to bite him. Though it's First Order Troops and custom agent. He holds up his id between two fingers and let them look him over. His hand raising and he smiles at them. "Everything is in Order. We're free to Move Along."
Jaya is found in the cargo hold unhooking the safety straps from the deck so the goods can be moved quickly after the inspection. Partially hidden behind the tall containers, she is knelt down and yanking the straps loose. When the inspection crew walk in, they can probably detect the sounds she making, but her presence isn't entirely known until a massive strap is sent careening over the top to hit a trooper upside his helmet head. The result ends with Jaya at gun point, where she's laughing as the trooper is untangling himself from the thick strap. When she tries to help, gun muzzle again, resulting in another laugh. "You act like you've never walked on a freighter before, kid. Lift the strap /over/ your head.. there you go. Wow." She thinks to reach for her ID but stops. "It's in my jacket pocket." She opens the jacket flashing the pocket in question so they can get it without stressing them out further. It's her personal ID for Corellia. "Are we good? Can you manage getting off the ship without killing yourself?"
There were definitely some obscenities happening inside that helmet, straps be damned!! "Just---you bac--" the crackling call over comlink halts the trooper from recovering fully from the embarrassment before they can really harass lil Miss Bloodstripes. "This haul is legitimate," says the vocoded voice on the other end "Let them go about their business." The carbine lowers hesitantly, a second's lingering (unfortunately masked) glare, then the trooper vacates the cargo hold and reunites with his buddies.
When the orderly duo come tromping back down the ramp to announce "Everything seems to be in order. They're free to move along," a secretive smile curls up one corner of old Ice Queen Aderanne's painted lips and she just continues to stare straight ahead at the hum of port activity for a few moments' savor. And to watch the approach of the Coronet Star's head bar manager who's got his own entourage in tow. A speeder truck ready for haul.
"Ilik Regar, I presume?" She extends a hand and offers a tiny wink to the portly man. "Axilon sends his regards," she whispers and points to the lowering cargo hatch behind her. "We'll just get out of your hair, once our boys and girl get the goods to the tarmac." And while they're doing that, she searches out a nearby port attendant to put in an order for refueling, etc. So far......so good.
David steps out, suppressing a snicker at the cursing trooper as he passes. "Yeah, I'd have been as upset as you guys if it wasn't all in order." He can't help but say to the inspectors, as he peeks outside and immediately closes his jacket. "Why don't we ever deliver to bars where it never rains?" he mutters still in earshot of the people with the carbines and whatnot.
Jax comes down the ramps with the others. He looks up, "Home sweet home. Been awhile and yeah it never seems to stop. Leasts it's a mostly clean rain unlike Nar Shaddaa. I hate that rain." He though slows enough to whisper to Jaya, "Nice work."
The ramp comes down as thunder rumbles. Clouds are threatening overhead and rain rattles across the exterior hull. Jaya is seen casually leaning against their payload with her help standing similarly around her. When the ramp touches down, they all pull their hoods up and set to the task of bringing the gear to the speeder truck. It's a pretty easy transition once Jaya organizes the team into a chain to pass the crates quickly. She's atop the truck placing them down in a neat and orderly fashion. When the task is done, a hand is offered to Jaya to help her down, and she accepts. Her boots land in small puddles, but she pays them no mind. The senior enlisted member of the Resistance seems happier now than she's ever been while in the Resistance. She's home. When she joins the others is when Jax regards her. She glanced to him and had a playful smirk before narrow shoulders rose in a shrug, and she chuckled. Rookie troopers needed to keep their head on a swivel.
"Now's our chance, let's go," Ambrosia murmurs into her own comlink once the ship servicing team starts scrambling into action and she begins walking toward the port exit with the announcement "DINNER'S ON ME!" yelled aloud. Except it's not. There is no dinner on tonight's agenda. :( And so it is that this motley crew of space truckers and sales associates leaves the stormy white caps of the Corellian sea in their wake and heads indoors, briefly, only to breeze on through that and back into the rain on the other side.
There are a number of speeders parked nearby, drivers waiting for passenger pickups, but one of those drivers is holding a sign that reads "Ms Tyruni" and it's to that car that the half-soaked pantsuit marches neatly on her little pumps while struggling with her caped outerwear. Too much fabric. Toooo much. And this /scarf/.
"You lookin' ta go the mile?" the driver inquires, eyeing her up and down and fixing those behind with equal skepticism and silent promise of bad things. Until his eyes fall upon the sight of stripes. Jaya's stripes. While his brows are busy reworking into something more akin to respect, she answers
"If you've got the boots." The passenger doors open to reveal an armed individual inside. It's a roomy vehicle, but it's going to be a very hot, very uncomfortable and probably smelly ride. Cozy up.
David stands by the door, making sure the women get in before he does. They're the sales reps after all. As soon as the two are seated, David slips into the speeder. "Cozy." he remarks, finding a seat away from the rain. He gives the driver a look through squinting eyes, blinking the rain water out. Thankfully, no residual sting or acid burns.
Jax climbs into the speeder and moves to back. He takes a seat out of the way. His eyes closing and he seems to listen quietly. He was going to let his Mom and her minions of justice do their thing. He was just along for the ride and 'contracting help at the moment.
"Oh, I love these rides. Man.. I've missed this!" Jaya noticed the subtle shifting and change given her presence, but she didn't let it go to her head. It was mutual respect, and they knew now they were dealing with professionals at least. Her enthusiastic tone at least earned a few chuckles as Jaya piles inside and takes the in between seat, since she's the lowest ranking anyway. She seems to be genuinely enjoying herself. She yawns and leans back in her seat, arms spreading wide across the back of their bench. She looked to the General. "Doesn't get any better than this." Jaya's cocky grin seems contagious.
"Yeah, just you hold onto that feeling..." the general grunts, wedged between shoulders bigger than her own and foot braced against Jax's shin. Eff.
After just long enough for the passengers to almost fall asleep if they were so inclined, the speeder's descended into a darker quarter and come to a halt. It was on foot from there, cutting through shady alleyways and then.....is this a storm drain grate? Yes. Yes it is. In case anyone was homesick for Nar SHaddaa, what comes next will be a welcomed treat.
The unsavory nature of living and operating literally underground is evident from the moment they follow the tunnels down...
The air here is wet and with moisture comes enhanced sense of smell and the undeniable stink of mold and decay. The Corellian cell has done its best to carve out suitable living conditions here, keeping bunks and storage shelves elevated away from the stormwater grates that sometimes backflow. Conduit snakes everywhichway overhead, connecting work lights to help brighten the shadows and beam much-needed Vitamin D into those forced into subversive living.
It isn't pretty, but for former governor Essie Lyle and her band of indomable citizens, it's home. For now.
"Oh yeah, this is much better." David remarks. "Tell me your contact isn't a giant centipede that's allergic to natural light." When they get to the actual base, he raises both of his eyebrows. "This place definitely reminds me of Hound Base." he remarks to anyone who's listening. "Decent setup." He breaks from the group to look around, taking his time. He's no good at formal talk anyway.
Pulling his sunglass off and cap, draws Jax a couple head shake and frowns. Seems he isn't loved as much the Captain by Corsec folks. He looks around, "Great. Hound Base. I hated that place. Never bothered me transferring out of it." ... Or quiting.
When they've arrived, Jaya walks with the General by keeping pace but remaining to her right and slightly behind. Jaya doesn't seem all that phased by the smell or the set up. Her enthusiasm remains, and she chuckles. "I've eaten at diners that smelled worse, this place is awesome. Well hidden, good set up.." Jaya looks around with an approving nod and a mutual respect for her kinsmen and women.
"Yeah, it ain't bad...ain't pretty, but it ain't bad," Ambrosia agrees. She's shed the stupid pantsuit by now but there's not a damn thing she can do about the colored hair at the moment. She's halfway through dabbing off some of the makeup when their drivers lead them around a final bend and to a makeshift conference area? There's a few shitty, collapsible chairs scattered around. Front and center stands Essie Lyle.
Centipede, Essie is not. Giant, well...she isn't exactly petite and there's nothing disarming about her stature or the forwardness of her stare. She's as tall as most of the men, broad of shoulder and with a healthy bit of meat on her frame. Her flawless manicure, perfectly set teeth, and gem-studded ears belies her more humble beginnings of being a fleek eel farmer's daughter. Essie's career in local politics was self-made. She's never accepted a handout...
But times are changing. The contribution the Resistance has made toward loosening the First Order's grip on Corellia (small as it may be) had been acknowledged and accepted and Governor Lyle's agreed to let this band of militant upstarts into her own hive of rebellion for a meet and greet.
Essie sweeps a caramel shock of hair off her glistening forehead and extends a hand of welcome to her guests. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you," she drawls softly as Ambrosia's weathered hand clasps her younger own.
"It's a pleasure to know Corellia's still got some gall," Amber returns the smile with a gruffer, unapologetic rendition. "Looks like you've made a small start on your own, but I've brought a few good hands to loan you. Hands /and/ guns." Their hands remain interlocked for a moment, old dog of war looking up a /bit/ to lock eyes with this politician-turned-freedom fighter. Leia would approve, she's certain.
"You've brought quite the entourage," Essie remarks and looks the others over, passing more than a couple looks between Jax and Amber's face before sizing up Dave, Randal, Turik, Goff, Alexis...and Jaya. "Quite." And on that note, she brushes past Greystorm Sr to extend her hand to Kassis. "Welcome home, soldier."
David remains quiet, noting the look Essie shoots his way, even briefly. He peeks in one of the crates, replying to Jax. "It's gone, now. Entirely blown up. Called it a going away present for the First Order when we went." David shakes his head. "But I'll say this. Hound Base at least was on a planet with breathable air, instead of a space station with -fake- air." That's his Naboo coming to the surface. "Blackrock is nice too, but it's.. a space rock." David puts his hands down, quieting up to watch the brass meet.
"Never been. I stopped by the fleet a few times." Jax stated as he looks around, "Trust me fake air is better than Nar air. It's trying to kill you. As for HOund, yeah I got that one out after she got separated from you." He points to his Mother and smiles. "I'm usually the pazzak she's got up her sleeve." He then gives a shrug to Amber as Jaya gets the love over her. "Sorry General. I mean it is THE CAPTAIN KASSIS. I mean next to Wedge Antillies, she's one of the baddest Corellian fighter pilots alive. We heard stories in the Academy."
Jaya takes her hand firmly and shakes it, her lips tipping in a cocky grin. "I was told someone needed their ass kicked, ma'am. I /never/ pass up an opportunity for a good fight." She released her hand, and brought her own to lock at the small of her back. Jaya was raised a patriot, her parents had been in Corellia's rebellion when she was a little girl, it seemed apropos that Jaya find her way into this one. She showed the respect Essie deserves. To Jax, she smirks and facetiously replies. "And don't you forget it either." A few laugh. Jaya was only trying to be funny though. You couldn't be a career soldier and not have a sense of humor.
Grumpy Greystorm lets slip a little eyeroll of her own, but she can't argue with the bonding taking place. It's what they came for. "Maybe I'll let you two catch up while the boys and I have a look around...see if we can find room for improvements on your uh...base of operations, eh?" Edging stealthily away while Essie's attention is still fixed on the fellow Corellian PATRIOT, Amber begins her long task of wandering (via closely guarded tour) the premises and taking notes. Some literal, some mental. It's the first step towards securing a more reliable line of communication and smuggling, after all. If they play their cards right over the next few hours, the Resistance may network themselves a backdoor entry into Corellia, less scenic as this side may be. And that....that's a damn good start.
