Log:Waywards Meeting about the First Order

Waywards Meeting about the First Order

OOC Date: January 18th, 2016
Location: Waywards Common Room
Participants: Ax, Sar_Yavok, Qadira_Suuryet, Jax_Greystorm, Galak_Varga, Maeve_Zavir, Strand_Korsen, Rontu_Aru, Rhani_Aeternum, Sesti_Gath, Waywards

Ax had summoned a guild meeting, granted not everyone could attend due to other prior engagements. He dims the lights to the common room as he walks in. "Alright guys, let's find a seat and get this shit going," Ax says. He moves over to a wall and pulls down a white screen and using a remote starts a projector. It wasn't a holo-display, but a 2-dimensional view of the man in the mast that they'd faced on Sereno. Ax doesn't say anything after that, just moves to the bar and grabs a glass of whiskey from the bartender droid, leting everyone look at the screen. "That, my friends, is the enemy. If you don't think he's a threat to you, then you need to climb out from whatever rock you're living under. This is the new face of the First Order, and they may not seem like a threat right now, but that's only a matter of time."

Rontu Aru sits on the edge of a sofa with his BB unit on the floor beside him. He has a glass of water that he sips on.

Sar Yavok is posted up against a nearby wall, a spice-scented cigarillo smoldering away between his fingers. The man's dressed down compared to his usual get-up, deciding to eschew his heavy jacket in favor of a simple button-down. His free hand rests casually on the handle of his blaster as he watches the projector, not adding anything for the time being.

Maeve turns to face the image as well, "A man in a mask can be anyone, Ax," she says into the well of silence after Ax puts the image up. "What other distinctive marks should we be using to identify him, should he be sauntering about in public and ordering a drink alongside us at the best dive on this moon?"

Leaned against a bare patch of wall is Galak. His arms are crossed over his chest and a glass of water dangles from his fingertips as he stares at the picture on the projector. He opens his mouth to ask something, but then pauses as Maeve beats him to it and he simply nods and waits for Ax to answer.

The door to the lift opens and in steps one Jax Greystorm. Surely Ax knew Jax was here due to him taxiing into the private hanger but the others may not have known he was coming. He's wearing his Wayward armor and got a flight helmet tucked under his arm. "So where's the women and whiskey? Sorry I'm late. Exine didn't carry the three. Glad I didn't end up in a sun." Exine his r2 comes whirling out behind him saying something rude to Jax.

Ax glances to Maeve, then looks to Sar. "Sar, head of the Rebel Yell was on Serenno, as was Jictor Gublys. Both will attest to this man's ability and being a threat," Ax says. "We don't know who he is, or what he looks like under that mask unfortunately," he adds. "But, the man is a powerful being with abilities that are beyond comprehension and he's searching for objects related to the Jedi and Sith of old. That's where this meeting comes to play." Ax pauses as Jax enters, looking to the man. "Glad you could make it. Maybe you'll learn something from this you can take back to your new friends. Granted, they may not give a damn. That means, that unless we all want to be kissing the ass of the new Empire to rise out of the ashes, we need to act. Hell, someone does."

Strand Korsen is here for the meeting, looking apprehensive but attentive. One can be sure he represents himself and the Adella sisters.

"All I know is that that fella waved his hands, and I flew back about twenty feet," Sar adds as he's addressed, raising his cigarillo to his lips to take a long drag from. He takes a moment to exhale the plume of smoke from the side of his mouth and offers, "We need to beat this guy to his goal, or things are gonna turn South real quick."

Rontu Aru looks to the image and brings his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms around his knees. "I've seen that person. He didn't see me, or at least I don't think he did. I'm not important enough to pay attention to, but I saw him on the landing port a few days ago. When I thought I lost the Phantom." He looks to everyone in the room, "Turned out we just switched ships."

Jax moves to sit on the couch, " Still don't know who about all this jedi stuff. But I'm here and I'm listening. I see how far I can get it with the chain of command." Jax says as he moves to sit down. "Hey Aru and yea... the PHantom's back."

Standing and listening as the others begin to speak, Galak waits for a break in the conversation and then asks as he gestures toward Rontu, "Do we have any idea what he is doing when he lands on Nar Shaddaa? Or is he too dangerous to try and stick a tail on?"

Maeve raises another question, somehow resisting the urge to raise a hand before voicing it: "What exactly is this first order business, by the way? I gather it's not another Hutt plot or Bothan conspiracy? And your certain this mask wearing fellow is Human or at least humanoid? You know how many species require a breathing or re-breather apparatus in order to assimilate on many common worlds."

"Well, I know he's working with the Guavian Death Gang and they're hunting relics of the Sith and Jedi," Ax says, "which has brought them to Nar Shaddaa amongst other things. Primarily, he's likely here looking for the Sith Holocron we stole from him on Sereno, and thanks to Rax Vaelus, knows we took and that Jictor has it." Ax then looks to Maeve, "Yeah, I'm guessing you don't keep up on current events. When the Empire crumbled, they signed the accords with the New Republic, a treaty that is supposed to keep them from re-arming. They pretty much vanished and have been re-emerging from the unknown regions." Ax then clicks a button on the remote and the picture changes to a quad of new TIE fighters that were chasing them through the atmosphere. "We've got detailed sensor reports on these, they might look like the old model TIE's, but I assure you, they're closer to the Avengers I bought on the black market. They're quite advanced, damned fast, and very well armed. If I hadn't had a cargo load of coolant to dump on them, then I wouldn't be standing here right now." Another slide is changed and the view of a new-design Star Destroyer is seen. "I don't know much about this, other than it's something I've never seen before. Seemed to be the ship they were operating out of. Over the comms, they declared it was the named the Finalizer. I'm guessing it's their new flagship, or probably the lead ship in one of their assault fleets."

Rontu Aru remains silent and drawn into himself as he listens. He does turn to Jax, "Phantoms back?" He looks really confused now.

Sar Yavok continues toking on his stogie, not being told anything he doesn't already know.

Jax shakes his head, " Mae, the First Order is what rose out of the ashes of the Empire. After the concords were signed alot of the hard nose Imperials disappeared. The slithered off to the Unknown Region and begin to start a massing a new power base. I'm working with a group that is trying to prevent their return. For a lack of a better word and it's all conjecture. But he's the new Lord Vader." He shrugs, "And if he's tied to the First Order like the Empire of old they are not exactly friends of non humans." Jax calles out, "If I could get ahold of that senosr data Ax I would appericate it." Jax looks to ARu, "Yeah The Corellian Phantom is back in the hanger."

"Bear in mind that I'm a surgeon, not a soldier or a diplomat, and it's a rather time intense field, so honestly no, it's not something I pay or have paid much attention to," Mae notes in a quiet voice, a frown forming on her face. She glances from Ax to Jax then back again, another measured nod following this glance. "Alright. Then we accept as accurate that this mask wearing fellow is Human, because the gang he's running with don't like non-humans. That does narrow down the field a bit but Galak's question is a good one: You haven't put a tail on him when he's on this moon?" she wonders before going to another thread at the same time, "Jedi and Sith relics? You're absolutely certain all that nonsense is real?"

"Actually, the Phantom is on Bonadan being loaded with ore," Ax says. He pulls a datadisk from a pocket and walks over, handing it to Jax. "There, figured you'd want it, and I can't think of anyone else I'd rather hand it to." He then takes a sip of his drink, and clicks a button on the remote. A picture of a red, cube-shaped crystal with black markings shows up on the screen. "This is a holocron. I honestly don't know how they work, so don't ask. It's a storage device and holocom style computer, used as a journal by both the Jedi and the Sith. This particular one belonged to a Lethan Twi'lek Sith lord, ages ago. It was the primary content of the hold of the ship we stole from the guy in the mask." He clicks the button and a picture of the Infiltrator is shown. "Now, the ship is owned by Rax Vaelus, but it's the ship we stole and where we got the holocron." He looks to Mae, takes a deep breath and nods his head. "Yeah, I know it sounds crazy as hell, but multiple witnesses will attest to the powers displayed." He doesn't mention anything about his own manifestations, however minor they may have been. "These aren't parlour tricks, I'm talking about all the shit you heard as legends growing up."

Strand Korsen is very quiet and solemn. Despite his attempt to hide things with notes taken on his datapad, Strand is.. well.. not Strand. He listens to the info and sighs. he stands and moves to get a drink.

Rontu Aru nods to Jax, "Do I need to go aboard when the ship comes back and give her a once over, or do you have a crew for that already?" He's flown that beautiful ship and seems to know it like the back of his hand for the short time he's been with this group. Then again, he's flown the Lost Soul as well and is equilly versed in that ships ins and outs as well. He does what he can, when he can and when asked. He looks at Mae in suprise and says, "He told us last night before this metting. You where here. The force, all those stories... you remember."

"I'm just glad I got the bike," Sar remarks with a grin, placing his cigarillo back into his mouth. He eyes his chronometer for a moment and looks to Ax, offering a swirling hand-gesture often translated as 'get to the point'.

Galak speaks up from his place near the wall as he says, "I am not certain how much credibility I can lend toward there being Jedi... or Sith... But the planet that I visited was real when no one knew where it was or how to get there anymore, and those crystals were real as well. The Lightsaber Rax has was real enough, even if it was broken. And these holocrons that have been found are real. While that evidence is not conclusive or measurable... it does certainly lend itself toward that direction. It is a pretty large number of arrows that point that direction for them all to be a huge coincidence and it to all be a myth..."

Jax shrugs, "Mae, I ain't seen anything. I believe in the force. Dunno about all these crazy jedi wizards and their lightsabers. But Ax and Kadi are both claiming it to be true. I trust both of them." He looks to Aru, "Talk to Ax. I'm not the Phantoms captain. I'm still a good standing member of the waywards. But I'm inactive."

Ax glances to Sar. "If we're inconveniencing you, Mr. Yavok, by all means you know where the door is." He sighs. "Anyway, I will speed things along a little bit. "We're going to be working in a capacity that will put us in conflict with the First Order, and namely the bastard in the mask." He takes a sip of his drink. "I know that is not what any of you signed up for. If you figure that you'd rather not be involved, then I understand. There will be no hard feelings. All I ask is that nothing you heard here leaves this room. But, if you feel that way, then I also ask that you show yourself out before I go any further."

Maeve waves one hand in a subtle gesture, as though dismissing the argument. "I'm a scientist. I never, ever, except anything at face value at the first statement of data. data sampling can be wrong. Math can lie. Facts don't always sum up in linear logic even at the best of attempts at the first or tenth time through. I needed to hear him say it again," she explains, rather at length, before glancing to Galak and then Jax again, before sharing another nod. "The logic is tipping in your favor," aimed back at Ax. "I believe I prefer a world in which this sort of thing is merely the stuff of bad holo flicks and novels."

Despite Ax's snappy response, Sar seems to have gotten the point across. His cigarillo is removed from his mouth and he crosses his arms over his chest, watching more intently now.

Rontu Aru leans forward and give Jax a nod that he understands. When Ax says the info doesn't leave this room, he uses his fingers to button his lip metiphoricly and tosses the invisible key over his shoulder. Ball Buster moves to where that invisible key might have gone and turns to look back at his master. It beeps and Aru says softly, "Didn't drop anything Buster."

"Trust me Maeve, I prefer that too, but like most things I prefer, it simply doesn't matter. Even if science doesn't truly explain it now, that also doesn't mean it's not true. Scientists discover new things every day." He sighs and pulls a hand rolled cigarette from a silver case and lights it. "Anyway, if this is a direction that any of you wish to avoid, then now is the time to depart." He waits, giving people the opportunity, draining the rest of his drink and motioning for the bartender droid to refill it. After a moment, he looks to Sar. "Sar Yavok, for those that don't know, is the head of a mercenary guild with ties to the Rebellion. He was with us when we faced this bastard and the First Order on Sereno. He was there when the man in the mask killed a young girl with his lightsaber, with us powerless to stop him. He was there when the...." Ax pauses for a moment. "I'm fucking tired of saying the man in the mask, so from here on, he'll be known as Fuckstick. Sar was there when Fuckstick stopped a blaster bolt in mid-air with a single wave of his hand. He knows the risk that Fuckstick and the First Order are, and I believe our goals are somewhat alligned."

"Trust me Maeve, I prefer that too, but like most things I prefer, it simply doesn't matter. Even if science doesn't truly explain it now, that also doesn't mean it's not true. Scientists discover new things every day." He sighs and pulls a hand rolled cigarette from a silver case and lights it. "Anyway, if this is a direction that any of you wish to avoid, then now is the time to depart." He waits, giving people the opportunity, draining the rest of his drink and motioning for the bartender droid to refill it. After a moment, he looks to Sar. "Sar Yavok, for those that don't know, is the head of a mercenary guild with ties to the Rebellion. He was with us when we faced this bastard and the First Order on Sereno. He was there when the man in the mask killed a young girl with his lightsaber, with us powerless to stop him. He was there when the...." Ax pauses for a moment. "I'm fucking tired of saying the man in the mask, so from here on, he'll be known as Fuckstick. Sar was there when Fuckstick stopped a blaster bolt in mid-air with a single wave of his hand. He knows the risk that Fuckstick and the First Order are, and I believe our goals are somewhat alligned." <re>

Exine turns to watch Aru and Buster though the R2 doesn't comment just yet. Jax looks at Ax and just listens for the moment. Though he does give data stick Ax had given him to Exine. He elebows the droid. "Hang on to this for me."

Strand Korsen is quiet. He looks off in a direction towards Room 302. Back to the group. "I believe in the energy swords. I have seen them. I also believe in opposing the First Order. You have my utter loyalty. Or.. A'isha does. But I do not believe in their.. aims anymore. They are. ." He stops. "I am with you, Ax. So is Red. though. . later. " A look away. "what is our first goal, "

Displaying a genuine lack of manners, however temporarily, Maeve lets out a snort of laughter. "Fuckstick. Somehow it just seems to suit this fellow in the mask. I've often thought that those who feel the need to wear a mask exhibit all manner of psychological issues. Hiding his face while, at the same time drawing all manner of attention to himself with his antics and savagery. Were I any manner of psychologist," and she pauses, "which I am most certainly not," another pause, "suggests a duality of personality. The hidden and the revealed, the concealed and the grand standing, it's fascinating. If and when you get Mister Fuckstick in a padded cell somehow, let me know, I'd love to have a crack as his psyche. Just for the sheer fun of it. That said," she empties the cold cup of caf and shrugs, "I'm in. Not that I imagine I can do much good in this, but what ever you need, it's yours."

Sar Yavok offers a nod as he's addressed by Ax and looks around at the rest of the guild that's gathered. A moment of consideration and Sar says, "Yeah. I reckon we'll end up on the same side on this one. Just get us wherever we need to be and me and my folks'll offer what protection and assistance that we can."

Rontu Aru chuckles at the new name for the masked man, even though he doesn't know what it means. He listens silently.

Ax chuckles at Maeve's reaction, but his attention goes to Strand. "I thank you, brother. You and Red are going to be a key factor in certain avenues, but that's something we'll talk about later." He looks to the others for a moment before his gaze lands on Sar, giving the man a nod. "Well, first thing we're going to do is figure out what kind of assets we have to bear, and our strengths. I think, between the two organizations, we can be quite the powerful force." Ax then looks to Galak. "Then, a group of us will fly to Ilum. A planet in the unknown regions that held signifance to the Jedi. I don't know what we'll find there, honestly. It may be nothing, and it may be a deciding point in everything yet to come. Our goal, if Fuckstick is looking for relics of the Jedi or Sith, then so are we. We're going to do our damnedest to beat him to them, to keep them out of his hands and out of those in the First Order."

Glancing down as the R unit is given a task, Sesti remains quiet, listening to the others talk about this new adversary. She crosses her arms over her chest, leaning back in her chair, her shoulder inches from Jax's.

Galak nods along with Ax and says, "Well we for sure know the location of one planet with Jedi ties. Ilum. We could do a sweep of it, see what we could find. It may be worth point around and seeing what we might dig up. I know there are buildings there that I did not go into, and as I said, there is life there. But the team that goes there needs to be ready and prepared for extreme cold. The whole planet is like a big ice ball."

Galak nods along with Ax and says, "Well we for sure know that Ilum has Jedi ties. We could do a sweep of it, see what we could find. It may be worth point around and seeing what we might dig up. I know there are buildings there that I did not go into, and as I said, there is life there. But the team that goes there needs to be ready and prepared for extreme cold. The whole planet is like a big ice ball."

"Frozen tundra planets?" Maeve says, making those three words somehow manage to sound like obscenities uttered instead of three rather reasonable words, when taken separately or possibly even in tandem. This said with a near shudder even as she folds her arms before her, as though cold just at the thought of it. She fixes a look at Ax, "I can help with the provisions for cold weather gear, and while I say that, may I come along?" Sar Yavok nods to Ax and says, "I'll get on doing an inventory of our weapons and equipment." Another glance to his chronometer and he says, "But for now, I've got a meeting with my XO. We'll get in touch later and hash out the details." With that, the grizzled merc offers a half-salute to Ax and the group and turns to head out of the room.

Rontu Aru perks up, "Thermal units for every suit. No problem. I can rig them for everyone on the way. The ship needs a tweeked, but they can withstand extreme cold. We'll be fine in that department." His legs go to the floor and he moves to the edge of his seat. "I'll need some credits for the parts we need, but this planet has them before we leave."

Jax slips his arms around Sesti and listens. "Frozen Tundra planet and ice balls. Okay I won't complain about where I'm stationed then. No ice balls there. Well not this time of year." He sits back to listen as he doesn't know how much impact he can add to the meeting at this time.

Ax nods to Sar, then he turns to Maeve. "Alright, I don't have a problem bringing a doctor along for the ride, in fact I'll be glad to have you along." He then looks to Aru. "Get with Qadira, we just installed a full engineering bay attached to the hangar here. I imagine that between the two of you, we'll be damned well covered. I want you along on the run to Ilum though because you grew up on a mining colony. You might have some experience to draw from." Ax then looks towards Jax and Sesti. "I'll give you whatever we gather on the First Order, but I'd prefer you not tell your new friends what we're up to. If they start acting on intel we provide, then maybe that deal will change, but I'm fairly certain they didn't do shit for Sereno, even after we gave them actionable intelligence."

Speaking up again, Galak says, "I know that there were a few flares that were left laying in the snow near the cave that contained the crystals and a crash site further down the hill. I didn't attempt to go and investigate the crash alone, but it might be worth having someone good with computers along in case any flight logs are salvageable from the wreckage... if the ice and snow hasn't ruined them. Maybe we can find out what they were doing there when they crashed or who they were." Pausing a beat, he continues, "I know she isn't as big as the other ships in the Guild, but I am willing to take the Maiden along on missions. I can carry a team as well, if needed."

Rontu Aru gives a nod to Ax and sits back with a sudden feeling of belonging. Purpose gives a man meaning and he has never had that before. A scared smile crosses his face and he downs the last of the water in his glass. He's going, he is wanted, and he belongs. This is good, he nods, this is good.

"Thermal units, insulated clothing in layers, heat packs, the whole kit for a tundra expedition, we can probably hit a military surplus store and get what we need without having to answer awkward questions," Maeve muses, reaching for the empty cup, frowning at it, then rising to refill it from Ax's brew of addictive caf. "I'm good with computers as long as you aren't asking me to build one of the bloody things. I'm good with programs, at the least, and using them," added with a chuckle. "If you could get me some idea of what sort of crashed ship, I could research the computer prototype specs, which would give us an edge."

Jax shrugs, "Big ain't always what you need in stealth and scouting missions. "I won't cause you any problems. I'm actually going to datamine it for intell for myself. I will pass it along but I got a less than warm response on the last time. But I know better than not to say Thank you and I will put anything given to me to use. In what ever way I can. " He smiles, "And besies I'm already on their naughty list."

"JD is a good slicer, and I hope like hell she'll be available." Ax then looks to Gal. "I'd like to take two, maybe three ships, honestly. The Soul being one of them. I want to know we can get in and out quick without incident, and she can carry speeders, which might come in handy. Not to mention, that she has pretty adequate firepower." He sips at his whiskey and takes a drag from his cigarette. "But, it's good to know you're going along, Maeve," he says, looking to the doctor. Your computer skills might come in handy, and should the shit hit the fan, so will your medical skills. The Soul has a full medical bay and a brand new, updated surgical droid aboard. No bacta tank, but we can work on that." Ax looks to Jax, smirking. "Well, big ain't great for stealth, but last time we went against the First Order, the Soul was fast enough and shielded enough to keep us alive, so I'll take my chances this time. I do have plans of upgrading the Shadowdancer into a stealth ship, but that's going to take some serious fundraising before I have the adequate resources to spend on such things."

Rontu Aru listens and makes mental notes to upgrade the shields on the Soul. He saw the last time he flew her that they could be better. He keeps this to himself for the moment. Anything that can help this mission and this crew, he's all for it. His calculations are swift in his mind, already adding to the ships thrust and shield cappabilities. He'll work the numbers again with the Engineer to make sure.

"Just in case things go awry," Maeve agrees with a measured nod. "I'd be happy to help, two pairs of hands are better than one," she adds with a smile aimed at Sesti. "A bacta tank might come in handy. I'll draw up a list of treatments for exposure to severe weather and extreme cold," clearly a woman fond of lists.

Strand Korsen is very quiet. He listens but seems.. distant. His eyes are seeing things that are not here...

The lights in the common room are dimmed, and people are gathered. There's a rather serious undertone, uncommon for the usual gatherings here. A projector is displaying pictures of the Wayward's adventure against the First Order and Kylo Ren on Sereno a while back. Ax sips at a glass of whiskey. "Anyway, that's the general gist of things. I was going to go through a few chain of command things, but honestly I'm not real damned sure where to begin. A lot's changed as of late. With three of our original cast, so to speak, heading off on another calling," Ax says, looking towards Jax and Sesti, "it's opened up some positions. If anyone is interested in filling said positions or recommending someone to those positions, talk to me. I need an XO for the Soul, for one. Other roles need filling as well, but we'll play it by ear until I've had a chance to talk to everyone."

The door to the common room opens quietly and Rhani slips in. Her expression is one of mingled frustration, irritation and embarassment. After a quick glance around, she closes the door softly and angles to one side. Her eyes drop in a 'Don't see me' sort of look. Finding a seat, she lowers into it then leans back ready to pretend that she was here all along.

Rontu Aru stands, "Pilot and engineer here Captain." He pats his BB unit on it's top and it beeps brightly. Aru smiles down at it and says, "I know Buster. Be a good girl and keep that to yourself." He pats it again and looks to Ax with a strong determination about him.

From his position leaned against the wall, Galak looks to Ax and says slowly, "We had this discussion earlier. You know I'm with you and willing to do whatever needs to be done. Just say the word and I'm game." His eyes flick to those present, resting on Jax and Sesti for a few seconds before carrying onward.

Ax smiles, looking to Rontu. "Chief helmsman of the Soul, after that last situation too," he tells the kid. "A bit more experience under your belt, and I'd bet you'll be a better pilot than Jax," he says with a wink. "You done good, Aru. I was quite happy with your performance against those mercs, and when I told you to get out of system, you did instead of trying to play hero." He looks to Maeve. "I know your first responsibility is to your patients at your clinic, Maeve, but we're going to need a doctor on call just in case. I don't want to put you out of your place, but it's good to know you're willing to help in any capacity you can." Ax looks to the new arrival, her tardiness didn't go unnoticed but he didn't seem to mind. "Rhani, glad you could make it. You missed the part where we talked about how the guild was soon to make enemies of the First Order, if we aren't already." He looks to Galak next, giving the man a nod. "I know you are, Gal. And I appreciate it."

Rhani Aeternum sidles a glance at Rontu, then across to the others. She nods to Ax, that embarassment still quite clearly evident. The coloration change even brings out some freckles hidden beneath her normally olive complextion. She gathers herself to stand when addressed. Turning to Ax, she nods, "Sorry about that. Couldn't find the room... Uh... I am also a pilot, Captain." At the moment she feels vulnerable without a droid to back her up on that claim and her hands snake into her pockets as the blush deepens, "Uh. I'm... Uh... Not... an engineer, though. Is that okay?" A sheepish smile follows that anti-declairation, though her expression has turned a touch toward worry. "I'm an explorer, though... If that helps." The reality of the situation at hand registers and she squares her shoulders a bit, "I'm not known to the First Order one way or the other, sir, but... I'm with this group come what may."

Jax shrugs, "Well keep your ass safe man." He says standing up. "And If I can be of a help I'll try to come running." At the jest to Aru, "Probably is a better pilot than me. But then I'm a better pilot than Ax. So it all works out." He winks at Aru. He nods to the new guy in the corner, Galak.

Rontu Aru smiles to Rhani Aeternum, "I can be the engineers assistant. Just knowing we have pilots, I'm sure is a great gain at any rate." He sits walks over to the table and gets more water in his glass. Turning back to the sofa from where he came.

Catching Jax's nod to him, Galak pushes off the wall and steps across the distance separating them. As the others begin explaining their usefulness to Ax, Galak extends his hand out toward Jax and says quietly, "Don't think I've met you yet. Galak Varga... bounty hunter, pilot of the Maiden's Folly, and newest member of the Waywards. I've heard a bit about you."

Sesti is a moment behind Jax, looking up when he stands up, then she nods and stands next to him. It's hard to tell if she's frowning, or maybe it's just the jotaj marking her face, but either way she looks less than happy. She nods to Ax. "Give us a call, we will do what we can," she agrees. It's perhaps a mark of how furiously she is thinking that she hadn't put her arms around as Jax as well, and had merely been leaning in the circle of them. Now that they're standing, she doesn't take his hand, but turns to follow him.

Ax nods to Rhani, "Yeah, and the fact you've got experience in space exploration is going to come in handy. I'm going to assign you to a ship as a scout," Ax tells her. He looks back to Jax and chuckles. "In your dreams, academy boy," he says with a wink to the man. "You're a helluva pilot, but I think the few years I have on you gives me the edge. Granted, you're also human, so your reflexes aren't quite as honed as mine either," the Echani says, chiding the x-wing pilot a bit. "And you keep your ass safe too, Jax. And take care of Sesti and Gra too. Miss having you around, but at least the place generally smells better." He looks to Sesti, giving her a nod. "Keep an eye on him," Ax says, motioning towards Jax. "And should you decide to come back home, know we'll take you in with open arms." "Anyway guys and gals, that's all I have for now. If there's any questions, now would be the time to ask them." Ax pours himself a fresh drink and turns the lights back up. He turns off the projector with a click of the remote. "Been rambling long enough I guess."

Strand Korsen finally speaks again. He seems so.. distant. Eyes cut upwards again. Anyone knows where his mind is. He says, at last "She needs a hero. I would not mind being one again. " That is soft. More loudly, he says, "I am in this. I am with you against the a order. " He pauses and makes a tight face. "I worked for them.."

Rhani Aeternum's nod tries to be serious and fails. She beams at Ax, "Thank you, Captain. I'll do my ..." Her eyes flash to Strand and linger there, "Uh. My best..." Back to Ax, "For the Waywards..." Back to Strand. Back to Ax, "sir." Then back to Strand, "Wait. You worked for them?" One day soon she will gear up with Wayward armor and so on. Right now, though, her pleasent thoughts of having a ship of her own, a wonderful, exciting job to do and new friends is derailed by the declairation from the man with the thousand parsec stare. "Uh..."

Rontu Aru turns to look at Strand with shock in his eye's. He sits back down and keeps quiet. He notes everyone seems to a bit suprised at this news. He waits for others to react to this, not knowing what to do at the moment.

Focusing on wrapping everything up, Ax listens to Strand, and while he's paying attention, it takes his mind a moment to process what the man's words meant. He just stops, looks at Strand and raises an eyebrow. "You worked for the First Order or the Empire? I know a lot of formal Imperials, hell worked with a few of them, but not First Order types. Regardless, I trust you. I trust you with my life, and you say it's a former arrangement, I believe you. Granted, that also means you might have some actionable intel we could use, even if it is a bit outdated."

Jax stops laughing, "I keep trying to get her to bath. Do I still got an appartment around here? Academy boy! I can fly circles aound you and you know it you bleach blond pirate." He says with a chuckle. He looks to Galk, "HI hope part of it's good. Maybe a third hopefully." He offers him a hand, "Nice to meet you."

Ax nods to Jax, "Yeah, it's been pretty much cleaned up, but it's still empty if you need to use it. I haven't assigned new officers yet."

Shaking hands with Jax, Galak nods and offers a smile of his own. After a moment he turns his attention to Sesti as well and offers her the same hand and introduction. "Just wanted to get an intro on the two of you before you get going." Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a handful of small wrapped candies, and offers it to either of them. "Sweet for the road? After dealing with all of these sour asses it might take some of the sting away." he tilts his head jokingly toward Ax and winks to Jax.

Sesti wrinkles her nose and looks to Jax. "I think he is referring to you, Corellian," she clarifies in a stage whisper, then goes over to Ax's serving droid to request a bottle before she joins the pilot talking to the bounty hunter. She looks between the two of them, and then down at the offer of candy and raises the bottle in her hand. "Thank you, but I think I have that angle covered. Ax keeps the best in stock. I am sure we will see each other again, soon, though."

With a fresh cup of caf in hand, Maeve is not the only one staring at Strand with a sort of wide eyed expression. "You weren't kidding, when you said you used to be an officer," she says in that quiet but surprised tone of voice. The surprise edges into amusement when she eyes Galak with a grin, "No, Strange Candy, you aren't passing out spice candy to people in this room after we've just had THIS conversation."

Kadi comes in, looking quite pleased with herself. There's a smear of grease across one cheek, and across her jumpsuit, but there's a very contented look to the woman. Happy engineer is happy. She comes to a dead stop when she spies the group in the lounge, staring owlishly for a moment. And then she looks at the time piece on her wrist, before her expression goes totally rueful. "Oh, oops. I'm late, aren't I?" she says. Rhani Aeternum smiles a quick smile Strand's way to show that her stepping toward Jax and Sesti is not intended as a slight or comment on his former job. Reaching the two, she speaks quietly, "So. Um... I am sorry that I didn't get to know you guys better. I... Well. Have fun. Keep breathing. Stuff like that. Thanks for the night out." So long and thanks for all the fish? Something like that anyway.

Jax grins at Galak, "Nah. I'll pass. Thanks though. Somebody needs to steal Ax's good boo..." Then he stops as he hears Strand and his eyes narrows. He looks to Ax and got an expression like he just got punched in the gut.

Nodding and laughing aloud as Maeve rats him out, Galak slips his hand full of candy back inside his pocket like a total creepo and glances around the room. Spotting Maeve he gives her a mock mean look and then drops a wink to her and says to Ax, "If that's all for the night, I think I am going to step out for the evening." He turns on his heel and begins heading for the Turbo Lift, passing by whoever is between him and it and then is gone. Rontu Aru silently accepts that if the group excepts Strand, then he will except Strand. After all, it was he who kept him from getting blown up that first time when all those blasters were going off. He draws his feet up and leans on his knees to take a sip from his glass of water.

Maeve holds the cup of caf between both hands while she eyes Strand from across the room, contemplation that is interrupted by Galak's offer of candy to the room in general. She shares a look of amusement with Galak before she finishes the caf, yet again, topping off her caffeine reserves. "I think I need more intel than what we have already at hand, but I'm still all in," she notes with a nod aimed at Ax and, in general, to the room at large. "My clinic here is mine, I can close my door when I need to, and return when I do. I will look into hiring some help, though, to pick up the slack if i'm gone longer than expected." She sets the cup of caf aside and snags her jacket from where she's draped it over a chair. "This was.. fascinating and terrifying at the same time," said with a huff of a breath that is almost a laugh. "Yell when you need me, I'll be here."

Ax takes a deep breath. "I'm sure a lot of us have skeletons in the closet concerning our pasts. Things we've done and aren't proud of. Still though, I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, where Strand's loyalties lie. If the man says he's with us, then he's with us." Ax seemed absolutely positive in that matter as if it weren't up for debate. "Strand is a Wayward, just like everyone in this room. If he wishes to expand upon what he said, then great. If not, it's his call, not any of ours." Ax moves over to the man, putting a hand on Strand's shoulder. "I'll stand by this man or have him fly my wing at any time." Ax looks to Maeve, giving her a nod. "Thank you, doc." His attention shifts to the others gathered around the room. "We're going to handle things as discreetly as we can, but I doubt our secret agenda will stay secret forever. Expect the road ahead to be long and dangerous, but hopefully there will be reward other than just knowing we're doing the right thing."

Rontu Aru watches Maeve leave and stays put on the sofa where he sits. His job is with this group come hell or high water. He feels relaxed, now that Kadi is here for any engineering instructions. He smiles at her and finishes his glass of water.

Jax looks at Strand for a moment. Then nods, "We do." He gives Ax a look and nods. Then turns to give Kadi a hug. "Hey missed you." Then he moves to diaappear with Sesti.

Kadi sort of listens, as she figures out what is going on. She pauses to give Jax and Sesti a hug, if they will give her one before running off to drink Ax's good booze. Galak and Maeve get smiles and nods as they head off. and then Kadi heads over to give Ax a hug and kiss. Just a little one. "I'm sorry, I was distracted," she says, which is likely not a surprise. She catches sight of Rontu as she pulls back to stand on her own and waves his way. "Hi everyone," she says, finally, not wanting to leave anyone out but - not sure where to start.

Rhani Aeternum ducks out of the way as Jax and Sesti head out. She tilts her head a bit after the pair, her expression turning thoughtful. Letting them go, she turns on the balls of one foot and sets off kind of after Kadi, but only in general. Reaching Strand and Ax with Kadi by extension, she offers the former a hand, "I'm Rhani. Nice to meet you." In almost the same breath, she adds, "Hey, Kadi."

Ax takes a deep breath, and then walks over to Kadi, giving her a gentle kiss. "Hey baby, I'll fill you in, but yeah, you missed the meeting. You know most of it anyway." He then looks to Jax and Sesti as they depart before looking to the others. "Alright, well I don't have any of the good stuff left, but I've got some decent stuff left and in quantity enough to get us all pretty plastered."

Rontu Aru leans over to his BB unit, "What is this ...plastered?" Ball Buster beeps and blurps out a responce and Aru sits back, "Why would any of us want to be part of the dry wall?" He looks confused as he looks at his empty glass in hand.

Kadi grins at Rhani. "hey, Rhani." She leans against Ax gently for a moment or two. "And Strand. Rhani Aeturnum, Strand Korsen. Strand, Rhani." Look, introductions even. Too bad Kadi arrived late. A pause and then, "So how much do I have to drink to catch up with you all?"

Sesti Gath hugs Kadi on her way by, and pauses for a moment as if to talk, but... Jax is leaving. And she has booze and a room to share with him after weeks in a dormitory... so she heads out.

Ax goes behind the bar, pulling out a few bottles of whiskey andone bottle of Raava, and started pouring drinks. "Alright, take one and pass it down until everybody has a glass," he says. "I'm only on my second glass, Kadi, so not that far to catch up to."

Rontu Aru looks concerned to see everyone partaking in tihs ritual of theirs. He hesitates a little until it's his turn to put some in his glass. Sniffing at it, he puts a splash in the bottem of the glass and passes it on. Now sniffing at his glass, he worries aloud, "We're drinking rocket fuel?" He sniffs it again, "Smells like rocket fuel." Again he puts his nose over it and sniffs, "Why are we drinking rocket fuel?"

Ax looks to Rontu, just stares at him for a moment before taking the glass away and replacing it with one full of something else. "Let's start you with Raava," he says. The Socorran drink wasn't as strong smelling as the Corellian Whiskey, made from fermented berries found on the planet. It was more like a juice, granted it had a kick much stronger than the whiskey, but was rarely felt before one tries standing up from wherever they were sitting. "Try that pal, been drinking that since I was a kid." He then looks to the others, raising the glass he'd taken from Rontu up. "To our future, and to hell with Fuckstick and the First Order."

Rontu Aru raises his new glass and takes a drink. He smiles and looks at the glass, "This is good." He says, "To the future!" He takes another drink. No sipping for this kid, he's liking how this tastes. Leaning over to his BB unit, "What's a Fuckstick?" Ball Buster beeps and blurps, "I know you're not a translater, I was just..." He sits back and takes another drink. Half his glass is gone by now.

Strand Korsen dropped his bomb on the group, took the clap on the hand from Ax and the looks from the others. He left without a word. It was a big revealation, after all. But, as Ax says, everyone knows where his loyalties lie. One floor up and two doors to the right. After a several minutes, Strand returns. He looks tired and distant. But he sees the group drinking and suddenly is all smiles. "Did we start a party without me? I should hope not.." Towards Ax, he says, "Sorry for leaving earlier. It was a bad time for me. I will answer any questions you have, though. And, yes, You know you have my loyalty. And you know why."

Rhani Aeternum watches Strand head out after his bomb. She slowly lowers her hand to her side, then eases gradually toward the bar. Once there, she carefully lifts one arm to sniff at her armpit just about the time Rontu is sniffing the whiskey. Lowering her arm, she accepts a glass of the stuff when it is passed her way. Her gaze flashes toward the door where people have fled and she lifts the glass. "To the future." Or, to futures, perhaps. Lifting the glass farther, she almost takes a sip, but her attention flickers to the door again, then back. The drink is swallowed in one pull and the glass is set on the bar a little more forecefully than she intended. The shudder that wriggles through her as the heat and sting of the alcohol hits is less marked than it was before, but still there. Hissing in a breath, then out, she adds, in a strained whisper, "That was my first." To Kadi? Probably.

And Kadi had done an introduction of Strand and Rhani. Kadi grins at Ax and Rhani both. "Well, I can catch up with that, I think." She gets a glass of whiskey and downs it with the toast, and then she gets one of Raava. Because that stuff is really good. If deadly. She raises it up, not so far behind now. "And now that you're here, Strand, the party can begin." A teasing grin. Course, this from the engineer who totally needs a shower - what with grease smudges here and there.

Ax nods to Strand, handing the man a glass of whiskey. "It's alright, man. We all have our pasts, right now my focus is on the future." He looks to Kadi, "And above all hope, I wish for a long future for us all." He drains the rest of his glass before looking towards Rontu. "Easy, kid. Taste can be deceiving. Drink that stuff too fast and you'll get the spins and probably end up spewing it out, wasting such a fine drink. Sip it, don't guzzle." He then looks to Rhani. "Why do I suddenly feel like the old man here? Where the hell is JD? I don't like feeling old." He grabs another glass, filling it with the Socorran Raava instead of whiskey. He chuckles at Kadi's response, leaning in to give her a kiss on the top of the head while she sips on the raava. Then looking to Strand. "Anyway, we'll talk about it at some point. Your past is exactly that, your past. If something comes up where you have intel we need, then I'm sure you'll share. Whatever else you decide to share is up to you."

"Anything I know, I will share, Ax. And there is a lot of it. Not all of it nice. But I will share anything that can help the group and the fight," says Strand. He makes his way to the bar, giving a wink at Kadi. "I am the party, of course. But do not tell A'isha. Or she will tape me to the bed again." A total joke and then a nod to Rontu. "Good to see you fitting in, my boy." He flashes a smile at Rhani. One of his standard butter melting numbers. "I am Strand. Grand Moff, retired. Also master of lying, cheating and getting a Lethan to blush. Which is tricky, let me say." Rontu Aru looks at the glass, then to Ax, "Really?" He looks at his glass again and shrugs, "I don't heel a fing." He looks at the glass a bit more closely, "I mean, theel a fing." He shrugs again. "Oh balls." lowers the glass and looks around, glad that he is sitting.

Kadi raises her glass, cheeks going a bit pink, at Ax's comment. Strand's wink and comment just gets a grin, now, somewhat more relaxed than in the past. "And he also manages to get me to blush, or he has, but I think that's significantly easier." She grins at Rontu. "Other day it was Galak needing help, guess we can make sure you get to your quarters, Rontu."

Rhani Aeternum looks up at Ax and shrugs helplessly but does not try to talk yet. Rather, she accepts a glass of the Raava, though does hear Rontu's warning and the result. A sip is claimed and that does seem to sooth her throat. Sadly, it will be a long time before Rhani can match Ax drink for drink. Her attention flickers to Strand, catching that smile. The blush that had slowly faded after her late entrance to the meeting flashes instantly back into place. It can't even be written off as a flush due to alcohol as she hasn't had that much yet and the timing is off, "Hi. Yeah. Kadi said. Your name, I mean. Not that... Uh. Nice to meet you." Although she does offer him a smile, it is nothing like the confident one she envisioned using. The glass is lifted again and the sip is a little deeper than before.

Ax looks to Rontu and chuckles. He looks to Kadi and smiles. "Alright beautiful, I'm gonna head to bed. Feel free to stick around here." He then looks to Strand, extending a hand to the man. "Well, Moff Korsen, it's a pleasure as always," he says with a wink to the man. "We'll talk more tomorrow soon. I have something special in mind for you."