The Brothers Three

[Dasquian Belargic]

Three identical men, and one man looking slightly out of place, exciting the Jedi Order living quarters. Two were smiling and two were brooding. All were going on a trip. Today the Belargic brothers – including their step brother – were returning home. Hallaera, the home planet of the species which the Knight, Padawan and Pirate belonged to, was a place Dasquian had visited only once, but was most eager to see again – especially with his brothers and good friend there.

“This is exciting isn’t it?”

“I don’t know why we didn’t go earlier, Dasquian,” Aaron sighed.

“I was going to arrange something, but I’ve been busy.”

“You’re always busy,” the Padawan glanced sidelong at Kelt, who understood his concern.

“… Look, we can talk about this when we get back. Now just be happy that we’re going, and that we’ll be traveling in the lap of luxury.”

The Knight paused and looked to the dark haired debonair they walked with.

“… Right?”

[William Belargic]

William let out a crystal clear laugh of mirth.

"I'll let you decide that when you see my ship." He turned his head to wink at the three as he took the lead.

Luckily the spaceport wasn't too far from the Jedi Temple and complexes. Probably for in-bound and out-bound traveling done by the Jedi or their visitors. It made for easy and conevient access.

They walked about 5 blocks or so before they reached the outskirts of the large spaceport. It was a large circular complex with several landing pads of varrying sizes. Will's ship was in one of the larger pads.

The group made their way up to the main traveling desk where Will showed his registration and landing permit on a data pad (and being a Pirate, they were obviously fake). But they check out at the travel desk, and the clerk gestured for them towards a hallway that would first take them to a storage-locker area, and then to a lift which would zoom them on to their destination pad.

Reaching the counter to the storage-lockers, Will once again fell into conversation with the clerk there, with Dasquian, Aaron, and Kelt looking on or conversing quietly with each other. To the clerk, it must have looked odd to see three Jedi behind a man that was about to retrieve a shuttle-load of weaponry (while Will had been with his weapons when he'd first gone to the B&G, he was not permitted at all to have them in the Jedi complex, and had had one of his crew come to pick them up and store them in the lockers for later pick-up). The clerk never the less went about his business and brought out a case. ill immediately dove into the case and began to extract very dangerous looking objects: A long sword, slightly curved, with a clean sharp edge on one side of the blade, and on the other a slightly blunt edge with a leather and cortosis fiber covering; a few daggers and blasters; small hand grenades... almost enough to arm a small task force.

Once Will was again, armed, they enetered a lift that would take them to the landing pad where the the Pirate's ship was docked. When the lift doors opened, and the four walked out onto the floor of the landing pad, there before them stood a glossy black, almost liquid-looking, ship with sleak lines and very large and powerful engines. She was so highly polished that you could see your reflextion in her side. Will puffed his chest out proudly, gesturing towards the ship.

"There she is, fellas... the Ebony Jewel."

[Dasquian Belargic]

“Wow.”

Dasquian was not exactly fond of space flight, but this craft was particularly attractive – if a vessel could be such a thing. It looked smooth and dark and glinted in the light, living up to its name spectacularly. It wasn’t any kind of craft he recognized however. Perhaps William had commissioned it to be specially made.

“That is one impressive ship.”

Aaron might not have said anything, but he agreed. It was clear from the look on his face. His wariness of starships had worn off surprisingly quicker than his brothers had, and he had already begun to stride towards the ship – although Dasquian could not tell whether this was to appreciate it or to inspect it for any flaws or faults that might hamper their journey.

“You must have a large crew,” Dasquian observed, noting the size of the ship.

“Almost like family, I imagine.”

[William Belargic]

"You can certainly call them that, yes." He began to walk towards the ships gang plank, which was already lowered. "And you'll be surprised at the size of my crew... only about 20, counting myself. Just enough to keep things running smoo--" His word was cut abruptly short as the lights in the bay went dark... all except for small "night light" illuminations on the wall, and the faint moonlight shining through the grates in the bay doors above. It made the ship eerie and almost ghost-like. "...thly."

Everyone had halted in their tracks, and were looking around slowly. All except for William, who was eyeing the darkened gang plank with a narrowed, scrutinous gaze.

[Aaron Belargic]

It was then that Aaron uttered the famous words:

“It’s a trap!”

His saber burst to life instantly, as if he had already been holding it – expecting something like this to happen. Twisting his body, he shot a glare at William and an ‘I told you so’ frown at Dasquian.

“I told you not to trust him!” he barked out, sweeping the green saber blade back and forth, bathing the already eerie looking ship in pale emerald light, on guard for any sudden movements.

[William Belargic]

William just looked at Aaron and then at Dasquian, and shook his head. He looked back at Aaron.

"Hey, cowboy!" He was whispering. "Mind keeping your voice down??"

He unsheathed his own sword which glinted in the faint lights, and made a quiet b-line march straight for the gang plank. He'd just put his foot down on the plank, when a blood curtling howl errupted from behind the plank and hurtled itself at Will. "Helloooo UGLY!" The Pirates eyes went wide as he blocked the weapon headed to decaptitate him, the two swords making a musical clinking note.

In the faint light, one could make out some dark ratty hairs atop a grotesque face pockmarked with scars and gashes on the attacker. Definitely not a good-looker. Will parried, side-steped, parried, thrust, side-step, jump... it was a ballet of sorts between the Pirate and his attacker. Though it seemed like a long time, it was only a few seconds before Will had found an opening, confused his attacker by tossing his sword to his left hand, and punching the grotesque creature full on in the face with his right fist. The creature stood there a moment before collapsing backwards against the gang plank.

Will was shaking his hand to aleviate the cramp that was forming in his knuckles as he turned to look at the three Jedi, who by now were standing practically on top of him, all sabers drawn. he looked at them merrily, as though nothing had happened.

"Well, that was fun, wasn't it?"

No sooner had he said this than another creature launched himself from the ship at William, colliding and bowling the man over several feet away from the gang plank, a nasty dagger in his hand.

-----

Up out of sight from those on the bay floor, a group of giggling and chuckling creatures were watching from the top of the ship, completely ignoring the Jedi and their drawn sabers, and watching the Pirate vs. Orc sqirmish.

[Kelt Simoson]

snap-hiss Aarons sabre ignite in a flash of green, and frankly made Kelt jump, not only from the saber noise but from the anger he felt Aaron have suddenly. Kelt reached for his sword across his back and with a light CHINK noise, Kelt stood at Aarons side with his sword in a defensive position, twisting his head to view any attackers.

An orc like being had stepped for Will, of course the pirate had it under control, the punch saw to that by the looks of things. it would have been handled a bit more peacefully in Kelts eyes but it was good-

WHAM. The Orc shoulder barged Will hard in the chest. And by now Kelt had sheathed his sword and drawn, unclipped his shortbow. He then drew an arrow from his quiver, pulled back the qroit and let an arrow fly through the hair to smack against the hull of the ship with a clatter. A warning shot of course.

' I would suggest you stopped your brutal attack my friend. Kelt yelled towards the Orc and by the time the creature looked up kelt had quickly readied another arrow. A smile crept across Kelts lips, more of a friendly sarcastic smile than anything else.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Aaron had rushed another one of the things that had come out of the ship, with total reckless regard for the others, and swung his saber blade right at its neck. Luckily enough for whatever it was, another blade stopped Aaron’s short. Dasquian stood, a look of confusion on his face. William had dealt with the attacker fine without the use of a saber, but Aaron seemed intent on hacking its head off.

“Stand down, Aaron. Non-lethal solution,” he stated plainly, forcing his brother to lower his weapon and disengage it.

The creatures spilled out in pairs from the ship now, however, more confident to see that their opponents had no weapons drawn – at least that was the case for Dasquian and Aaron. Bitter that he had been publically humiliated, Aaron had just socked one of them in the face with a punch that made his knuckles sting. Dasquian, meanwhile, was trying to use the Force to disarm the creatures – trying to push their minds to surrender.

[Kelt Simoson]

They spilled out in pairs, each brandishing a weapon only the build of an Orc could carry, axes, 6 feet clubs and basically one hit, one kill weapons. It had been decided by Dasquian that no leathel force should be used, so Kelt decided placing the arrows in certain areas of the targets body would incapacitate them enough to stop their assault.

Kelt was a ranger, and with the title of 'Ranger' came experience and expertise to be remarkably quick with a bow. So quick in fact that he would fire an arrow every few seconds, and it would accurately hit them in the spot he had dedicated to. These spots were ether shoulders, arms or thighs, their limbs to be exsact. it would ether stop them moving or stop them from attacking if not put them out of action. They were still alive of course and these placed were easily treatable in a medical clinic.

One arrow of Kelts tore through the thigh of an Orc, big compared to the others, making him stumble and fall before Dasquian, he lie motionless but of course still alive. Another arrow took flight only this way towards an attacker of Aarons. The arrow cut into the shoulder blade of the Orc making the creature, by the force of the arrow, fall back and land on his face.

Several more were dealt with in the same way, aiding his fellow Jedi, before he realized that perhaps his arrows would do better towards the sourse of the Orcs advance, from where they were coming from. He drew and arrow back and started to fire towards the door of the ship where several orcs were still pouring from.

[William Belargic]

While Will could see the others were holding their own, he was too busy to see exactly what was going on, dealing with his own problems at the moment.

The orcish-creature that had pinned him down was doing a good job of keeping his fighting arm down. It was all Will could do with his left arm to keep the creature from spilling his blood with that dagger. Even as he struggled, the thought crossed his mind, "Where did he FIND that dagger?. It was a strange thought to be having in a life & death situation, but that was Will for ya.

Somewhere in the scuffling, he was able to flip the situation over, rolling himself and the orc so that now HE was on top, trying to drive the dagger towards the orc.

He was nearly there when another orc dove at him, pinning his arms. "Good grief!!" He'd about had enough and twirled in the grasp to knee the offending orc in the groin. The creature practically went cross eyed and keeled over, holding his orchood.

Meanwhile, the other orc had stood and body-tackled Will again, going for the dagger now in Will's hand.

[Aaron Belargic]

Aaron had improvised. There had been some sturdy axels of wood across the hangar bay and with his recently sharpened telekinetic skills he was able to call one to his hand. The pole was taller than him, but fairly light and made it able from him to twist and twirl it right into his attackers.

The first he caught in the chest, knocking him down like a jouster. Another came from behind, and he span and hit a homerun with the brutes head. Two thought they had the upper hand and came at him from either side, from behind – however he simply turned and lifted the makeshift staff into the air – so that they both ran into it with a loud clonk!

Dasquian was doing a good job too – he had amassed a collection of weapons as his feet and was force pushing them away whilst managing to not throw a single attack, instead only parrying and responding to what was delivered to him. More often than not he would push one away right into his brothers waiting stave.

[William Belargic]

Will was grumbling something under his breath as he struggled with the fowl creature, all the while his voice got louder so that the others near him could hear.

"It's all fun...", he elbowed the orc in the chin, making the creature make an "oomf" sound, "and games...", it was Will's turn to "oomf" as the orc found a soft spot in his belly with a fist, "until someone...", somehow Will was able to bring his leg up in between the orc and himself and push the creature off of him, making the orc tumble head over heels backwards, "loses an eye!"

He'd abruptly stood in a fluid motion, finishing his statement. "Then it just becomes a sport!"

In one giant stride, he came up to the now standing orc and swept a foot under him, toppling the creature face down. Will placed a foot firmly on the orcs head, pressing downward, and brandishing the nasty looking orc dagger. At this point he disticntly heard the chuckles and giggles coming from the top of the ship. He looked up at the dark, shadowy figures and spread his arms to either side, never letting his foot off of the orc.

"What are you waiting for? A one liner?!"

At this, the horde of shadowy figures burst out in outright laughter. Even those orcs that had been injured or thrown about were laughing. Hell, even the orc under the preasure of Will's foot was laughing. And it wasn't evil or malicious laughter... it was mirthful, as though they were having fun.

Will's stern face turned into a grin before he too was laughing right along with the orcs. Pretty soon everyone in the hangar bay was laughing... except for the three Jedi who were looking on most likely very, very confused.

[Dasquian Belargic]

“What…”

Dasquian looked around. Was Aaron right? Was this an ambush? Will seemed to know these creatures, despite having just royally throttled some of them. Dasquian looked between the others and motioned for them to lower their weapons.

“What’s going on William?” he asked above the still growing laughter.

[William Belargic]

Will looked over at a stern-faced Dasquian, and composed himself a bit as he helped the orc he had just been squishing.

"Forgive me... I should have given you some warning."

He gestured at the bay and the orcs scrambling off the ship and from within. The lights had been once again turned on in the hangar bay.

"My crew, on the occassion, likes to stage a bit of a brawl... something they feel they need to do to their Captain to keep him from getting soft."

He looked to the orc who was standing beside him.

"This here is my first ma--", he looked at the man and slapped him upside the head, "Take off that ridiculous mask already! It's disgusting!!"

The man giggled and complied, revealing a fair-skined face with long brown hair and blue eyes; he was a Hallarean. Pretty soon the rest of the crew, all 20 or so, were following suit, removing masks and revealing that they too were Hallaerans, ranging from very fair to slightly tanned, with sandy blonde to black hair. Some even had tiny goatees or thin mustaches, much like Will's. All had light colored eyes ranging from greens, to blues, to greys, to hazel, to violet.

Will continued his introduction. "As I was saying, this is my first mate Jack... short for Jaclaren. And this, "he gestured to the rest of the gathering Hallaerans, "is my crew."

[Aaron Belargic]

If Aaron’s jaw could have dropped and hit the floor, it would have. Suddenly in place of a bunch of ugly brutes there were tens of Hallaerans. His eyes were wide, as were Dasquian and Kelts. They were all of their race! He had never seen so many people like himself, and to have them all in one room was overwhelming. His eyes roamed over every face, how it was so like his own with subtle differences. Dark hair and light alike, they all had the subtle regal air about them.

“By the Force!” Aaron exclaimed, finally reacting.

“William, why didn’t you tell us you knew others?!”

[William Belargic]

William blinked, slightly confused.

"I didn't think it was important..."

He looked to his crew and then at the faces of the three astonished Jedi. He shrugged.

"I didn't think it was such a rarity to see other Hallaerans. But then again, there was that big gap you guys, "he pointed in turn to Dasquian and Aaron, "missed. Sorry. I wasn't thinking I guess."

It was Jack's turn to slap Will upside the head. "Aye! Yer always fergettin about lil ol us!"

Will rubbed his head, and punched Jack in the arm, to which both started laughing again. He gave his first mate a hardy pat on the back and gave Jack back his dagger adding, "You're going to have to tell me where you got that."

It was about this time the crew was beginning to file back into the ship to get ready for take off or to tend to minor wounds inflicted during the tiny scuffle. Will turned to Jack. "Get the Jewel ready for lift off." Jack nodded and began to walk up the ramp. Will called after him. "Set the navicomp for Lordaeron. We'll gather supplies and equiptment there before making for Hallaera."

"Aye aye!" And then Jack was gone inside the ship.

Will turned to the remaining three men. "If you will be so kind to step aboard?"

The Pirate lead the three aboard the Ebony Jewel. And if they thought she was living up to her name from the outside, they were going to be astounded at the inside. The ship was indeed luxurious for a pirate ship... showing just how long her crew had been "collecting" for her cause. While outside she was a highly polished, almost liquid-like black shell, on the inside she was like a glittering gem cave. Her walls were the color of pearls having a pearlescent sheen, while her floors were a glossed black, with surprisingly great traction. The entire ceiling was wall to wall light panels, giving off a soft blue-white light that made the walls seem to glow. All in all, it was a very clean ship. One would never have thought it to be a pirate ship... more like a luxury yatche.

Will took them down a corridor that led to a lift to take them to the bridge. As the egg-shaped lift's doors opened, they were greeted by a spacious bridge, with lowered pits for the crew and elevated walkways for the command stations. Like the rest of the ship, the bridge was similarly designed, save for the large, curved veiwport.

Will turned to his guests, who looked like they could use some water right about now after having their mouths open for so long in amazment, gesturing with both arms wide.

"Welcome aboard the Ebony Jewel."

[Kelt Simoson]

' Your telling me i just wounded no less than 15 of your crew with my arrows...for no reason!?' Kelts face grew very stern, this actually annoyed him, it was rare that happened. Kelt slowly lowered his bow and looked about him, each crew member he had fired at were simply pulling the arrows from them as if nothing happened.

Clearly some kind of armor had luckily stopped the arrows from penetrating their skin and thick armor.

Kelts eyes shifted between Dasquian and Aaron. They knew Kelt, by feeling, was beginning to tire of Will's rather non-funny situations and jokes. Kelt sighed, clipped his short bow into its original flexible state and placed it back within the quiver head. The Jedi Knight held out a hand towards one of the crew to help him up, he did so, and as he passed towards the ship, following Aaron and Dasquian, Kelt nodded and apologized, occasionally helping others up along the way.

[Dasquian Belargic]

As they had walked Dasquian had remained awed. The walls and surface beneath his feet were hyper reflective and in them he could see himself and his traveling partners in respectively pale and dark likeness. It was a mesh of the modern and the organic, resulting in an incredibly unique design which Dasquian couldn’t help but admire. If he had a ship, he thought, he would like it to be like this one.

Once they had arrived on the bridge, where the other Hallaerans were tending to various procedures pertaining to the take over, Dasquian felt something unusual. It was a new but by no means bad sensation, a feeling of purpose and location. Everyone, save Kelt, was of his species and it made him feel incredibly at ease, as though he was home. Holding back a surge of emotion, Dasquian smiled, controlled, at William.

“This really is marvelous William. I can’t thank you enough for coming to find us.”

He embraced his brother tightly, and gave a little happy sigh.

[William Belargic]

William was a bit taken aback by Dasquian's sudden embrace, and it took him awhile before he returned the embraced and smiled.

"Hey, I had to come see who was wearing my face without permission."

He looked over at Aaron who was also smiling broadly, a bit of moisture in his eyes, and he was sure the other brother would join in the embrace. But, he just stood there, looking at the crew bustling about the bridge. Some of his crew had looked on and merely smiled. Will and his crew were like family, and they knew how long he'd been searching for any clues to his past and family.

Jack had been standing off to the side, letting the brothers have their moment, before clearing his voice. "Sir, we have the coordinates set into the navicomp. Shall we proceed?"

Will let Dasquian go and turned to look at Jack and nodded. "Fire away, Jack."

Jack responded with a sharp click of his heels and loud "Aye aye!" before turning to the crew and barking orders.

Will turned back to his guests. "Please seat yourself at the pull out seats you will find under the consoles behind you. Once we have entered hyperspace, I will show you to your quareters so you can freshen up." Will himself sat in his Captain's chair while Jack stood off to his right, continuing to give the crew orders.

The ships engines outside roared to life, while inside a soft soothing rumble was only heard. The ship rose smoothly through the opening at the top of the hangar bay and cut it's way through the atmosphere with ease. It barely made any momvement to disturb those standing or sitting. One would have thought they were sitting still if it weren't for the movement seen through the view port.

Slowly the evening bustle of Coruscant turned into a field of twinkling stars as the ship made its way into space, past the planets defenses and space lanes. In moments, the ship slowed slightly, and then jumped into hypserspace without so much as shifting anyone's weight aboard. Outside the view port was a glowing field of star-streaked blue tunnel known as hyperspace.

Will stood, stretched, and looked behind him at the three Jedi.

"Time to show you your respective quarters, Master Jedis."

As he gestured towards the lift doors, he looked to Jack and nodded his head... an indication that he had command of the bridge while Will was away.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Aaron and Dasquian moved to follow, with the former lagging a little behind while the latter kept up good pace with William. They all wobbled as the hyperspace travel gently rocked the vessel. Both Aaron and Dasquian were noticeably curious about what was going on outside of the vessels, arguably as much so as they were about the inside.

“Did you have this ship specially built, William?” Aaron’s voice asked.

“Yes,” Dasquian commented, “It does look unusual.”

“Then again, I haven’t seen many ships aside from the small vessels the Jedi use.”

[Kelt Simoson]

' This is only my third ever time on a starship' Kelt said rather lazily. He had to admit, not to the others of course, but to himself that the ship was quite a fine exsample of what Kelt thought a Ship should be like and operate like. However, he would remain, atleast externally, the unconvinced one of the three Jedi. However, he guessed that the other 2, from knowing him so well, had already felt what Kelt was up to.

' It seems you have a rather nice Ship here Captain Belargic, quite a fine ship indeed. Crew motivated, loyal. Seems your a good Captain also...' And he was right.

[William Belargic]

He turned to look back at Kelt.

"Why thank you. I like to think I'm a good Captain."

He then turned back to Dasquian.

"Ah, yes... the ship."

William began to explain.

"I did have this ship specially commissioned for my purposes of, er, aquiring, um, artifacts." He quickly covered his fumbled sentence. "While her shape was made to my specifications, her materials and build are actually what the Lordaerians excel in."

"As a matter of fact, we're heading to Lordaeron right now before making our way to Hallaera."

He took them down a corridor and around a smooth corner.

"The Lordaerians, or Night Elves as they call themselves, have an ability to use whatever resources the land gives them. They also have a natural ability, or at least the females do, to blend into their surroundings once the system's suns have set... something about their skin being photo-sensitive," he waved his arms about, "and making them blend in and disappear."

He shrugged.

"Anyways, some parts of this ship are organic while others are mechanical. The ship's 'skin' is partially organic, making it easy for it to blend into it's surroundings, especially at night. Again, that photo-sensitive thing. That's why it's hull is so smooth and reflective."

He gave Dasquian a funny look.

"Not that the female Night Elves are smooth and reflective... well, smooth... their skin, that is... ANYWAYS..." That hadn't come out quite the way he'd wanted.

"So, in conclusion, the ship was made on Lordaeron. And the ironic thing is that the Lordaerians hardly ever do any space travel, yet they make some awesome ships. It's an interesting contrast."

[Kelt Simoson]

' Collecting artifacts?...' Kelt mused suspiciously but with a slight smile. [

' A lover of all things rare and ancient then Mr.Belargic? I am also a lover of the old art and artifacts from times here and times gone by. Perhaps you would tour me around such prized items you have?'

Asked Kelt, a smile spread across his face towards Will. He had to admit, Will was a sly old dog, but fun none-the-less.

[William Belargic]

Will looked back at Kelt as they slowly came to s top just outside three adgacent doors.

"Uh... sure. Guess I could give ya a tour once you've freshened up a bit."

He gestured to the three doors.

"These'll be your sleeping quarters. They're not as roomy as your pad back at the Jedi complex, but they're a wee bit more luxurious, I would think."

[Dasquian Belargic]

“Thanks,” Dasquian smiled and they entered their rooms.

They were fairly large and had Dasquian not had a family room back at the Order, this would have been bigger. The Knight paused from looking around to turn back to William.

“Do you think we should get some sleep? Perhaps be woken for lunch… or will there even be time?”

[William Belargic]

William thought about it for a moment.

"I think you have time for a power nap."

He smiled.

"I'll give you a call when it's time to grab some grub."

With that, he waved to them and left them to their quarters. He himself had to tend to some command business.

[Kelt Simoson]

Kelt nodded to both Aaron and Dasquian before venturing into the room he had been left outside. Indeed the rooms were not as large as his and Aarons spacious Jedi apartments on Coruscant, but his room at least was still very comfitable. It was a narrow corridor with rooms that lead off of the passage way.

To Kelts right was the kitchen, fully laid out and furnished. To the
Knights left was a small open plan living room and bedroom, which was raised onto a platform with a small set of stairs leading up to the sleeping quarters. And of course at the far end was a taitfully decorated bathroom.

Kelt had to admit, it was rather nice.

[William Belargic]

About an hour later...

----------

William was walking down the corridor attached to his guest quarters. He made sure they would have some of the besr rooms in the house, so to speak.

Stopping at Dasquian's room first, he pressed the door chime. From within, a light twinkling note would emitt anouncing his presence.

[Tarfeniel]

<center>Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell</center>

“Brace for attack!”

A voice roared above the thunder of hooves and feet. Scores of men, battered and bruised already thundered down the valley into the Lyneland. Ahead lay their opponents, blades drawn and stances set. The kin of the north clashed with the south, swords and limbs flying. Screams when up, with the whinnies of horses amongst them. Amidst the flurry of combat, the silver-clad leader of the north twirled and span like a tornado, his blade scything like the reapers own sickle.

On into the day the fight went, until finally neither side could stand the strain any longer. Leaving their dead in the river that cut the Lyneland, they turned back to their homes to rest and recover. Not many had been lost, but then nothing had been won to counterbalance the price of the fight.

“My lord…”

In one of the many underground chambers, lit by flickering flames, a young messenger approached his lord. He knelt in front of the makeshift throne, upon which his liege was sprawled, breathing ragged and uneven breaths.

“I don’t think we can hold much longer. The Paneric’s refuse to fight and those left of Clan Belargic have almost given up all hope of overcoming the southerns.”

A look of indignant anger came over the shadowed face, whose body rose from its decaying throne, using a sword as a rest and means of remaining standing – the blade tip against the ground.

“… Given up? Hallaera, giving up? What has this world come to!”

A figure in armor stormed into the chamber, incensed with anger.

“I refuse to allow my children to enter battle with these savages, those monsters. Leagues ago our clan was the most respected of all the clans of Hallaera, and today you make a mockery of all that we stood for, Tarfeniel!”

“I tire of your boorish tales, Firalataion. Do you not see that we have no other choice than to fight? If we submit, the armies of the south will swell and take over our lands. They will kill us all, your children included. If you wish to condemn them to certain death…”

Striding forward, the slim man in armor shook his head and raised his sword, jabbing it accusingly at his bulkier counterpart.

“So be it.”

[Dasquian Belargic]

Dasquian sat up. He’d been laid awake on his bed for some time now. It was difficult to get to sleep. He felt like a young child on the Winter Celebration Eve, unable to drift off because of his buzzing mind and anticipation for the coming day. It was an unusual feeling as it was not one he was particular familiar with. Dasquian thought of himself as a fairly composed man, someone with a level head in most situations. Perhaps this trip was exposing some little nicks in his personality.

The door slid open and the Knight smiled back at his mirror self. Aaron appeared from underneath the covers of the bed by his brothers, looking like he’d been asleep for hours, regardless – his clothes all crumpled and hair all tousled. None the less, he slipped out to his feet, rather wobbly, and ambled across to his brothers.

[William Belargic]

William smiled at his two brothers, one looking somewhat touseled and refreshed, the other looking neat and thoughtful. Such a contrast. Not much longer after he'd stepped into their room, that Kelt came skipping up behind him.

"Well, now that you're all here, I thought you might like a bit of a meal before we land on Lordaeron. I've had a special Hallaeran meal prepeared just for you guys."

He smiled broadly and swept past the doorway into the hallway, sweeping his arm for them to follow him.

"Come on! The food won't be getting any warmer!"

[Kelt Simoson]

' Hallaeran food?' Kelt simply said with s light shrug. ' What does it comprise of?' Kelt said his nose wrinkling, clearly food was important to him.

[Aaron Belargic]

“I’ve never had any,” Aaron remarked as they trooped out into the hall.

“Dasquian says they like their bread, though,” he added, with a skeptical raise of his eyebrows.

[William Belargic]

William let out a hardy laugh, leading them down the hallway, up one floor on the lift, and down another hallway.

"Hallaerans do indeed like their bread. It's somewhat thin, and looks terribly uninteresting, but it tastes great and fills you up pretty fast."

They finally entered the mess hall, where a table had been set for them, steaming food on it.

"Take a seat fellas, and help yourself to whatever you wish."

There was some sort of cooked bird, several types of vegitables and cold cut meats, cheeses, bread, fruits, wine. All that was missing was desert, which would come after the meal.

Will himself took a seat at the head of the table, and immediately dug into the small game fowl, took some veggies, and a loaf of bread, digging in heartily.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Dasquian slid down carefully into his seat with the rest of the crew, who were already tucking in. He smiled, and some of them returned the welcoming expression, while others were too engrossed in their meal. Aaron grabbed whole handfuls of things, which made Dasquian squirm a little. He good his plate and carefully dished out what he wanted before sitting back down and nibbling on some chicken.

“This is good,” he said.

“Yuff I funk I cud gat use it,” Aaron mumbled through a mouthful of something.

“Kelt, what your experts opinion?”

[William Belargic]

While they waited for Kelt's answer, Will looked over to Aaron, who was thoroughly enjoying himself. It made him smile. Heck, if the man wasn't already a Jedi, he'd probably have asked him to join his crew.

[Kelt Simoson]

While the three brothers tucked into the food, Kelt was looking at the food a lot more carefully, as if surveying the contents and mixture. The Jedi Knight took a knapkin into his hand, picked up a large portion of the bird. he placed that upon his plate aswell as some of the lumpy green vegetable, orange slices of something, possibly another type of veggie, another green veggie, this time it was smooth and sloppy (Kelt quirked a brow) and finally a brown square slice of something, another meat perhaps?

Kelt ate meat with his hands end of story, and so using the knapkin as a cover to hold the food with the Jedi Knight took a small bite from the white meat, chewed it for a few moments, taisted it all around the diffrent sensory sections of the tongue and then swallowed.

' Hmm, not bad at all Master William...'

Kelt then took quite a large chuck from the portion in his hands, though he ate with outstanding table manners.

[William Belargic]

"Why thank you, Master Kelt."

Will spoke around a mouthful of food, causing some of his shipmates to chuckle.

Towards the middle of the meal, one of the Hallaerans that had been on duty came to the mess hall and bent down to whisper in Will's ear. Will stopped chewing long enough to hear what the other had to say, and then washed down his bite with a drink of his grog.

"Alright, I'll be right there."

As the lackey left, Will turned to his guests.

"It seemes we have made good time and are coming up on the outskirts of the Hallaren system. So, finish up your meals so we don't miss the Dust Cloud."

He got puzzled looks from the Jedi, but from the rest of his crew, happy looks as they hurried and finished their meals. Some had already started to get up and head on over to the bridge. Will himself was finishing up.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Dasquian, as the others did, hurried along eating. He wasn’t very hungry really – his stomach was churning from anxiety and excitement and he found it hard to concentrate on shoveling away. Eventually everyone else seemed to be done and he got to his feet, asking curiously:

“Will, what exactly is this Dust Cloud that has everyone excited?”

[William Belargic]

William finished and got up, leading the others back to the bridge. He asnwered Dasquian's question on the way.

"The 'Dust Cloud', from what historians in the Hallaeran system can gather, is a deceased planet that used to border on the edge of the system. It's materials were scattered across in a wide narrow area. Over the centuries, it has grown to become a 'belt' around the Hallaeran system, making it difficult for outsiders to see in with telescopes or sensors... something about a magnetic field surrounding the materials of the planet make sensors somewhat fuzzy around here."

The stepped off the lift onto the bridge and were confronted by a massive dust cloud outside of the viewscreen, giving of a blue-shimmery glow.

"It's known as one of the Hallaeran system's wonders."

The ship sailed through the vaccum of space, penetrating the "Dust Cloud". There was nothing spectacular about it save for the shimmering particles passing by. It was like being inside a decorative sand hour glass. The ship glided unhindered by the particles, finally breaking through to the other end. Once past the cloud, the viewport had to automatically dim itself from the strong gaze of the Hallaeran system's twin suns. The "Dust Cloud" had prevented anyone inside the ship from seeing the suns until they'd past the cloud.

Will turned to the Jedi.

"It's not so much that we like to 'ooooo' and 'aaaahhh' over the "Dust Cloud". But it does signifiy that we're coming back to our home system. And that's something all of us get excited about."

He then turned back to give some orders to his first mate.

"Jack, make a b-line for Lordaeron and call in for our usual berth."

"Aye, aye, Captain!" Jack immdetiatly began to relay the orders to the crew. The crew themselves scrambled to accomplish their tasks.

Will turned back to look as the ship angled away from the suns to begin a course towards an torquoise planet, only a pin prick at the moment. As the ship accelerated, the torquoise planet began to grow in size, and soon a small unimpressive grey-blue moon was seen beside the planet, orbiting it slowly.

He turned to his guests, gesturing to some seats behind the Captain's chair, as he himself sat down in his seat. "Might not be a bad idea to take a seat for our landing prosedures. It can get kind of bumpy going through a planets atmosphere."

[Aaron Belargic]

Aaron and Dasquian took there seats, along with the others, and watched quietly conversed with one another. The Dust Cloud hadn’t been particularly beautiful, but it had certainly been unusual. Dasquian didn’t recall having seen it on his first journey to the planet. He wondered if he had approached the system from another angle, or some such, or perhaps had been preoccupied with other things at the time of the clouds appearance. Never the less, it was certainly something to write home about.

“Lordaeron,” Aaron voiced his thoughts.

“Were they ruled over by the Hallaerans? … I mean the system is named after our people. Does that make us the ruling class?”

[William Belargic]

Will shrugged.

"Not sure really. From what I've heard from sources on Lordaeron and what some of my crew remember back from days when they were on Hallaera, the concensus is that the reason the system is named the Hallaeran system has to do with Hallaera being the biggest planet in the system."

For their benefit, Will pulled up a mini-map of the system showing it's planets revolving around the two suhs, and the planet's specs. The mini-map appeared on the lower left hand corner of the view screen so as not to obstruct the larger view outside for the approach into Lordaeron.

"The particles we just past actually belonged to the largest planet in the system, deciphered by calculating the amount of particles and placing them together, but it's destruction was eons and eons ago, possibly even before the first intelligent life in this system."

He used a small curser to point out each planet in turn.

"First you've got Solaera. It's the closets to the twins suns, which means you really can't live on it's surfice. Nothing grows there save for under the crust where you'll find fospherescent plant life and extremely dangerous subterrainian creatures with very tough exoskeletons. Some of my crew remember their fathers and brothers or even themselves going there to hunt the creatures for sport. It's kind of a Hallaeran tradition to go once a year. But the rest of the time, the planet is left basically alone. Brownish-black in color, it's the smallest planet in the system."

He moved the cursor to the next planet.

"Next on the list you've got Moraeron. Some things grow on this planet, but still not enough to sustain life above-ground. Underground, however, you have a subterrainian people known as the Moraera. They're basically miniture versions of us, and have impressive cities that stretch for miles and miles under the ground, where they've got everything from town halls, to markets, to farms. It's an impressive place to visit and do trade in. They're master architects. And they live on the third to largest planet, a red planet."

Again, the cursor moved.

"Then you've got Lordaeron, torquoise in color, and the second to largest planet, with one unimpressive moon from space, but possitively beautiful from the ground. This one's got a diverse set of people on it. The elegant Lordaera are very private creatures and keep very much to themselves... as you will soon see. They make absolutely wonderful ships though for being such private people."

He then pointed the cursor on the pride and joy of the system.

"Hallaera is the largest, and very green. While it is said to be the birthplace of all life for the system, it has never seen much peace. There's always been some sort of unrest or another on it. Kinda why it makes it difficult for outsiders to visit it under normal circumstances."

By normal he meant calling in ahead of time and flying on in. Chances are they'd blow you out of the sky. So the only way to visit Hallaera was to go in silently and undetected... if you could.

He kept the cursor moving.

"Finally on the list you have an orange and yellow gas giant, even though technically it's just a wee bit smaller than Hallaera, called Faylaeron. The only thing that's interesting about this planet is it's 16 orbiting moons. It's a trick to fly in without getting hit by a stray chunk of space rock hitting your ship. One of the moons, the largest of the 16, and the one that orbits the farthest from the planet, is used as an outpost for trading and such."

The cursor blinked out as Will finished up.

"Then the last thing you have on the edge of the system is the Dust Cloud, once a massive planet, now a bunch of grain-sized glitter. Which, by the way, may not look like much from the outside, but inside... well, that's a different story." He switch views momentarily on the screeen to show a back view where the Dust Cloud glittered brightly, thanks to the suns relecting off of them and causing a rainbow storm of color. "It's more impressive out here, but one can still see it on Lordaeron, and I'm assuming Hallaera, at night... albiet without a full moon on Lordaeron."

He switch the screen back to a view of their approach to Lordaeron. They'd past through the outter atmosphere during his explaination of the system, and large thick forests and lakes were now visible. The ship kept flying towards the main land, where they would settle in the maind city. The forests broke and they began to fly over a large sea.

"And there you have it, gentlemen. A history of the Hallaera system. And now I have spoken entirely too much and shall shut up."

A few of the crew snickered from their posts in the command pits.

[Dasquian Belargic]

“Fascinating.”

Dasquian smiled and took a moment to digestive the information he had just been given.

“I saw some pictorial histories of Hallaera in the mountain chambers when visiting a year or so ago. They showed lots of battles, and from what I gather just after our birth there was some large off-world feud.”

His mind drew back to another issue, one which had puzzled him for some time.

“I wonder if the dark haired gaunt beings that I saw on Hallaera were from one of the other planets within this very system. The similarities to Hallaerans were uncanny, but there was something distinctly alien about them.”

[William Belargic]

Will rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"It is highly possible. Quite a few of the 16 moons around Faylaeron are very inhabitable. It's possible the beings came from there... and from what I recall, the Outpost moon is run by dark-haired beings..."

He looked about his crew, thinking maybe one of them knew. But he knew this wasn't to be so. Most of them had similar stories to his where they had been born or dwelt on Hallaera from the beginning of their lives, not knowing their past or very little of it. It seemed these dark-haired folk were very private... maybe even more so than the Lordaeron's were.

He thought about it a moment, and if his theory were true, that'd mean he was not only Hallaeron, but also Faylaeron as well. It was a new idea to him and somewhat exciting.

"We'll see if we can't take s kip through the moons after our treck on Hallaera. Maybe we'll find more to this puzzle than meets the eye."

[Dasquian Belargic]

“I should hope so. I don’t imagine exploring Hallaera would be easy when we constantly have to worry about being ambushed by those recluses,” Aaron chipped in.

Dasquian shot him a glare.

“We don’t know anything about these people or why they are the way they are… do not be so quick to judge.”

…

“Lord Tarfaniel…”

Over a table a map was spread, lit only by candlelight. The flame flickered uneasily in the damp of the underground.

“There may be a chance that we can relay a distress signal to ask for help.”

The ruler of the north looked up, eyes widening in the surprise.

“If that is the case then make it so. Any help that we can possibly get is much welcomed.”

…

“They could be evil, or they could be good, but if they’re the ambushing kind I have to lean towards the former. All I know is that we better keep out guards up and eyes open.”

[William Belargic]

"Aye."

Will agreed with Dasquian's statement and warning. Whenever going into an unfamiliar place, it was always a good idea to keep your guard up... and take a large group of well-armed Hallaerans with you.

The Ebony Jewel angled down into a city bathed in oranges due to the setting suns. As they flew closer, they could see the forests blossoming with trees ranging from blue-green to dark green around the small spaceport. It was indeed very much alive with life.

The ship's landing gear stretched open as the ship settled into a very clean and white berth. Once the ship had touched ground, the crew began to work to put the ship on stand-by, while others prepared to disembark to gather up supplies.

As for Will, he stood out of his chair and looked to the Jedi behind him.

"Well, we've landed on Lordaeron. Now a good chance to stretch out your legs and take a gander at one of Hallaera's neighbors."

He looked to each in turn as he walked by them. "Any one of you ever been on Lordaeron before?" The question finished as he walked by, urging them to follow him into the lift, where he would take them down to the loading deck and they could disembark.

[Aaron Belargic]

“This is my first time in the Hallaeran system since I was born.”

“And I didn’t even realize these planets were so similar to our own,” Dasquian added.

“We might have met one of the people from this planet here before, actually…”

Aaron looked to Dasquian. They seemed to be discussing silently for a moment before one of them nodded.

“Yes, I did meet someone who claimed to be from this system, who looked like a Hallaeran with dark skin. I only spoke to them briefly in the Bar and Grill. I believe it was around the time when you were the cause of a brawl, Aaron.”

The Padawan scowled.

“But anyway,” Dasquian drew the subject back on track as they neared the ships exit.

“I’m looking forward to meeting everyone. I do hope we will be welcome.”

[William Belargic]

"Well, no need to worry about that here on Lordaeron. They're quite freindly, albiet keeping to themselves."

They walked down the ramp and stepped onto a platform made to look as though it had sprung naturally from the earth. The architecture was indeed beautiful to look at.

Will led the trio of Jedi through the open platform to the surrounding ring of a building that led through and onto the rest of the town. They didn't have sprawling cities here, but rather villages and towns.

As they stepped past the doorway of the ring, there were a pair of tall elven-folk waiting for them, a male and female with very elongated ears. The male stood behind the female, a head taller and at attention in flowing red robes. He resembled Hallareans, save for the difference in ear length and physical height. The female was the same height as the Hallaerans, with lavendar colored skin and dark blue hair. Both elven-folk were a contrast to each other, save for the similarities in their eyes; theie eyes glowed with an inner light.

Will broke out into a smile and quickened his pace, crossing his arms, with fisted hands, over his chest in the Lordaeran's customary greeting.

"Thank you once again for letting us take refuge in your woods." He spoke in their tongue, and while there was a difference between the Hallaeran and Loraeron dialects, they both stemmed from the same language, making it easy for Dasq and Aaron to understand.

[Nevlonniel]

Nevlonniel returned the greeting.

"You are always most welcome here, Captain."

She then looked at those standing just behind him, watching. She reverted to basic, her voice carying over a sultry accent.

"And who are your traveling companions that you have brought to our fair woods."

Her eyes wondered over the three, noting that two of them were twins and looked very much like Will. One in particular, she recognized, though it was help due to his dressing that distinguished him from his brother. She stepped forward and spoke to Aaron.

"You. I've met you before... a few months back on Coruscant."

[Dasquian Belargic]

“Hail and well met,” Dasquian spoke in the Hallaeran tongue, following and melodic. Aaron too echoed the greeting, with bowing tracing a half-bow in unison.

Aaron recognized the woman and Dasquian felt as though he had seen her before, but could not place where. Perhaps it was simply her similarity to the Hallaerans.

“I am Jedi Knight Dasquian Belargic; Council member of the Greater Jedi Order of Coruscant; child of Halleara –this is my brother Aaron, a Padawan to the Order, and this Kelt Simoson, a fellow Jedi Knight and Crusader of Shazmak.

We graciously thank you for your hospitality in allowing us to spend time, however short, here on our journey to Hallaera. I do hope that we will not cause any intrusion or trouble.”

With his last words, Dasquian glanced sidelong at Aaron.

[Nevlonniel]

Nevlonniel turned to look at Dasquian, accepting his greeting and words.

"Any child of Hallaera is welcome here, Master Dasquian." She looked to his twin and fellow Jedi, but still speaking to Dasq. "As are your comrades."

She looked back to Dasquian, gesturing to the tall elven-being standing behind her. "This is Sylos'delka, my Guardian." Sylos merely nodded his head in greeting, but said nothing. The tall elf wasn't much for words.

She then regarded them all. "Come. We have prepared a place for you to rest and gather strength for when you journey to Halleara."

Nevlonniel took the lead, walking down a ramp that attached itself from the main town to the spaceport. The sun had nearly set, and the moon was starting to peak through the fading clouds. The waning light of the sun, made way for the soft glow of the moon, making the spaceport look like a giant pearl.

Inside the town, the buidlings seemed to sprout from the ground, as if grown naturally rather than built. While there were some buildings with flowing architecture on the ground, the majority of them were high up in the thick, tall trees, connected by walkways, bridges, and long stairs.

Nevlonniel led them up a flight of wide steps that gradually grew slightly narrow as it ascended to the top. While they walked, the sun had fully set and the evening began to reign over the land. Small luminous lamps at key points in the town began to light themselves, tiny flames sprouting inside their glass domes. Around them, the elven-folk still went about their business, but if the travelers looked closely, they would notice that those female elven-kind that were standing still would become invisible, belnding with their surroundings; a reason why they were called Night Elves. It would no doubt be a curiosity and surprise to those that were not expecting it.

As for herself, and because she was still moving, Nevlonniel would not "disappear". Not until she was standing perfectly still.

At last they reached a rather large building, set atop a giant tree, it's roof pointing to the sky with a steep angle. The building, like the others, was made of white wood, marbles, precious metals, mitched with earthy colors. It made for an interesting combination that surprisingly worked and looked very pleasing to the eye. The Lordaerons were indeed master architects.

Nevlonniel opened the door and ushered the group in, gesturing to the spacious room and adjoining huts sitting on the trees massive branches.

"This will be your abode while you visit here with us. Each one of you has a hut, attached to this common building. Each hut has amneties for your bathing and sleeping needs, while the main building we stand in has a comm, kitchenette, and places to sit."

She folded her hands back down in front of her, looking at all of them.

"If you require anything, or wish to see anything while you are here, please do not hesitate to contact me. You will find my comm number at the comm station."

She then turned to Will.

"We will get your ship looked at and prepped for your journey to Hallaera. Have your crew rest, and we will take care of the rest."

As she fell silent and still, she gradually began to fade, and then blinked completely out. Syslo had not moved as he knew his mistress was still there. It was no doubt odd-looking for off-worlders.

[William Belargic]

"Thank you very much, Mistress Shadowmoon. I think we'll be more than comfortable here."

As he spoke, she had disappeared, but he had not taken his eyes away where he had been looking, knowing she was still there, and at this point quite used to the females of this planet blinking in and out.

He crossed his arms in the customary gesture of greeting and farewell, bowing slightly, speaking in the elven tongue.

Your hospitality is most gracious.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Dasquian could no longer see the woman, but felt her with the Force. This was a blessing, for were it not for her signature acting as a beacon he would have been at a loss for her location.

“If it is not too much trouble, I should like to look around more if your home, Lady Shadowmoon. I am much curious about this place and its people, and would not like to waste the opportunity to see its sights by day or night, especially when it seems so enchanting in the latter.”

[Nevlonniel]

The movement of her head, however fluid it was, caused her to reappear as she looked at Dasquian.

"You are most welcome to walk around the town, where ever and when ever you wish."

She spread her hands, causing a few of the bobbles she wore to make light musical tones as the clinked together.

"Our home is your home."

[Dasquian Belargic]

Dasquian looked to the others expectantly. Aaron appeared indifferent. He always had a lot of energy, but on the flipside could drop off to sleep within a matter of minutes. He wasn’t quite so astute at reading William yet.

“Shall we have a look around then, or would you all prefer to rest a while?”

[William Belargic]

"I'm game for a bit of a night stroll!"

William looked happy, and almost like a boy in a pen full of toys. He practically skipped to the door to the tree-hut they'd been ushered into, but before disappearing through it, he turned and clasped his hands together in the direction where Nevlonniel was... though she'd once again disappeared.

"Again, thank you, Lady Shadowmoon."

With that, he was out the door and breathing in the fresh night air, waiting for Dasquian.

[Nevlonniel]

Nevlonniel nodded her head to William's thanks, making her blip into the room again. She watched Will walk out, and then turned to the others.

"Enjoy your stay."

She then turned, with a last glance at Aaron, and then made for the back entrance onto another walkway. It was here that she and Sylos parted, as she enjoyed some time alone to herself.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Dasquian ducked out, but was surprisingly not followed by Aaron. A word was exchanged between the two through the Force and it seemed that his brother preferred to stay in for the night. Kelt had a bit of an upset stomach so he was going to keep him company and that suited both parties just fine.

“She is quite the lady, brother,” Dasquian remarked, smiling.

“Are you two well acquainted? It certainly seems as such.”

[William Belargic]

"Well, uh..." Will rubbed the back of his neck, "Yeah, I guess you could say we're... aquainted."

He and Nevlonniel had a brief fling when he'd first visited Lordaeron. At the time he had no idea how high her standing was, and it was probably because of this that she favored him whenever he visited.

He cleared his throat, jabbing a thumb back towards the hut as they walked down one of the winding walkways that conected tree to tree to hut to hut to city.

"Seems she also knows your brother from somewhere."

His brow wrinkled somewhat as a sly grin crept on his face.

"And it sure didn't seem like your brother was in any hurry to go anywhere..."

[Dasquian Belargic]

Dasquian looked up through the canopies at the stars and smiled.

“You will find, as time goes that on, that most every woman knows my brother from somewhere. I don’t like to speak ill of him, but he is making quite the reputation for himself. Luckily enough he has found someone who I think he likes so there is a chance that will all change soon.”

[William Belargic]

Will nodded without saying anything. He'd yearned to find the right woman in his life where he could settle down. But he had found no such beautiful creature yet. So, instead, he was like a bee hopping from flower to flower, looking for just the right one to make a home.

He looked at Dasquian.

"What about you? Found that special someone?"

[Dasquian Belargic]

“Twice.”

Dasquian smiled coyly.

“I was married log before I came to the Jedi Order in this time, and almost married again to another Jedi Knight. We parted as she became more distant from the Jedi Order. As I’ve told you I have a daughter…”

Who is sitting back at the Order with someone else, he thought. He was such an awful father. He’d not seen it when it had been back in the old days, when he was always away, but now that it was only him with no significant other, all of his flaws and faults shone the brighter. At this thought, Dasquians stomach growled and tightened a little.

“There is a wonderful young woman from the City Watch who I have been … speaking to for a little while now.”

[William Belargic]

Will gave Dasquian a hearty pat on the shoulder.

"That-a-boy! Bouncing back on your feet! Sometimes moving on is the best remedy."

The Hallaeran pirate suddenly felt very alone in this Universe. When would it be his time to find his "significant other"?

He shook the thought from his head, and chided himself for getting all sappy, and changed the subject.

"Well, we'll be heading off sometime tomorrow afternoon. The time difference between here and Hallarea isn't significant, so by the time we get there, it'll already be nightfall. And I feel that'll be the best time to come in stealthly without being harrassed."

[Kelt Simoson]

All the while Kelt had sat silent, a face of deep upon him clearly off in another world within his memories. Thoughts of past relationships he had with female friends came flooding back to him very quickly with this type of talk.

He remembered Leanna, his very first relationship back upon his homeworld of Aarchim, he had nearly been married to her just before she was murdererd so tragiclay in a plot against her her ilegitermate daughter named Megan. Before falling for Kelt she had had a secretive relationship with the Prince of Aarchim and the infomation leaking that he might have had a daughter with her could have paid damage to the Monerchy, she was murdered as a result.

The at the Jedi Order, he had had a most close friendship with Xazor for a very short time, if it had not been for the fact Dasquian was with her and he was his closest friend then he might have been with her, but friendship came before love in Kelts heart, he could not do that to Dasquian.

And now Jacali who he felt he had close feelings for.

Still, he sat there, and thought.

[Aaron Belargic]

As Aaron worked at pulling off his boots, he looked up to see the so-far quiet Kelt still in though.

“Everything alright, Kelt? You look at bit down. Not enjoying the sights?”

[Dasquian Belargic]

“Somehow, I don’t think it will matter when we arrive…”

Dasquian was still troubled at the thought of those creatures. If anything, they seemed like the type to come out at night. They seemed to dislike the light, or at least that was what he had concluded. Still, William was right. Night would give them good cover.

“I won’t worry though. Perhaps if the Force is with us we will be able to make some negotiations with the Hallaerans.”

[William Belargic]

"Ah yes... the Force." A thoughtful look came over his face. "Recently I've been wondering how it is you and Aaron have Force abilities, but it seems that I do not... though I do have the darndest luck at times, one would almost think I had Force abilities."

He stopped walking, Dasquian doing the same after one more step. Will bent over and placed his elbows on the railing along the walkway they had ventured on to, looking towards the walkway across and below. There was a good amount of activitiy, as the Night Elves moved to and fro about their business.

He couldn't help but notice one female, garbed in those flowing gowns that left their midrift bare and acentuated their upper attributes. What really made it interesting was the large ornate bow she was carrying. The combination was attractive indeed.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Dasquain too had noticed the woman, mainly because unlike the others, she did not have dark skin. She was fair haired, yet appeared to be from the Hallaeran system also. Silently, as he watched, Dasquian wondered which of the systems planets she was a native too.

The woman sat down and for a while the two brothers watched her as she looked over her bow. She withdrew an arrow from a quiver leaning against the tree stump she’d sat upon, and inspected it too. Dasquian guessed that she was not familiar with the weapon from the way she handled it, but had undergone at least some training in its use – enough not to hurt herself, at least.

Her eyes began to wander too and soon she saw the identical faces staring down at her. Or rather, one face. Seeing that she had finished her business with the bow, Dasquian had straightened up and turned to look elsewhere, where as Will was left with the prospect of being found out.

Luckily enough, the young woman simply smiled, albeit coyly, before picking up the bow and departing.

[William Belargic]

They made brief eye contact, but it was enough to make Will feel as though he'd been hit by a semi-speeder, barreling down at him at full speed, and smacking into his very being. The jolt was enough to leave him shaken for a moment as he watched her depart. He finally found his strength again, and straightened.

He blinked a few times, frowning and unfrowning, before looking back at Dasquian... who was already looking at him, a smile spreading across his lips.

"What?"

[Dasquian Belargic]

“Following that train of thought to its conclusion will get you anything but rest, William,” Dasquian replied, maintaining the knowing smile all the while.

[William Belargic]

Will opened his mouth to say something, then closed it, then opened it, then closed it. After realizing his brain wasn't coming up with much of a retort, he settled for just glaring at his brother. A small smile crept onto his features.

"Seems to me the reason for me losing sleep would be worth it."

He stuck his tongue out at his twin and laughed. They continued walking down the expansive walkways.

[Dasquian Belargic]

“Do you really think the best way to thank Mistress Shadowmoon for her hospitality would be to run around the settlement bedding its women?” Dasquian asked with a quirked eyebrow, appearing quite serious for a moment.

“I foresee some bowstrings getting in a twist.”

[William Belargic]

Will held up his hands in defense.

"Heeeeeeeeeeeeey now... I wasn't thinking of bedding her. But there sure isn't anythihg wrong with wishing it."

He brushed his shirt for effect.

"Besides, my bowstrings are quite in good order, thank you very much."

He glanced at his twin.

"Though I do wonder how Aaron is doing. Nevlonniel was certainly looking at him... and I mean, looking at him."

[Dasquian Belargic]

“You don’t honestly think…?”

Dasquian looked perplexed. What was it about Aaron? He couldn’t fathom how if, she was interested in one brother, she could not find the other equally attractive. They had barely spoken, and of the two Dasquian had been the most forthcoming and polite. Surely he would be… oh it wasn’t even worth thinking about.

“I thought that tall fellow with the bushy eyebrows was … er… with … her?”

[William Belargic]

"Sylos?" Will nodded his head. "Well, he is with her, to a point. He's her protector, body guard if you will. Aaaand I'm sure they've had their share of intimacy." He looked at Dasquian. "But they certainly aren't married or mates or whatever you want to call it."

[Nevlonniel]

Meanwhile..........

Nevlonniel had found a white-wood bench to sit on, not far from the hut she had shown Lordaeron's new guests. Seeing all three brothers was certainly a sight to behold. Each was handsome in their own right, and each had a personality to be explored... among other things.

She'd had her way, before, with William. Now she was curious about Dasquian and Aaron. But mostly Aaron. Something about his seemingly lack of respect for authority intrigued her.

So now she sat comfortably on the bench, slowly fading out as she sat still, somewhat facing the back door she had exited from the hut, watching the shadows set upon the orange glow coming from the hut as it's remaining two occupants moved about.

[Aaron Belargic]

“I think I’m going to hit the sack.”

“Already?”

“Yes. You should too.”

“Heh… maybe.”

“But you aren’t going to, are you?”

“You know me too well.”

Kelt smiled and shook his head at Aaron, before turning over onto his side. The Padawan smiled to himself and turned away, pacing towards the entrance of the hut. He didn’t particularly want to spend the evening with Dasquian – he had seen enough of him lately – but did want to explore. He picked up his tunic, hesitated, and then sat it back down again. It felt like a warm night – he wouldn’t need it.

Aaron stepped out into the dark and stretched his arms above his head, inhaling deeply. He walked slowly towards the edge of the walkway that ran around the hut, and looked down into the forest below. He could feel the Force keenly, and his new found talents for tracking were giving him a rough idea exactly where Will and Dasquian had wandered off too. He could feel Kelt in the hut, and … someone else too. Looking up, he turned around, yet found no one there.

“… Is someone here?”

[Nevlonniel]

"What does the Force tell you?"

The slight movements of her lips to speak made her fade back into view. Upon whirling at the sound, Aaron had a brief glimpse of her sitting on the bench before she once again faded into the night, her pearlescent eyes being the last to fade.

She believed in the Force to a point, and also had rudimentary skills in it. Sylos' skills in the Force were greater than hers, but then again, he was what they called a mage, someone who could manipulate elements and use them at will. It wasn't magic, but merely use of the Force. As for her, her skills laid in physical abilities, from hightened senses, speed, sleath, and dead-on accuracy with a bow and arrow.

[Aaron Belargic]

Aaron smiled slightly, as he watched the woman fade from view once again. Now he could tell it was her that he was feeling in the Force. Mistress Shadowmoon, he thought, wondering whether or not her ability to vanish from sight was a natural gift or what that she had developed, perhaps learned, over time.

"It's rude to spy, m'lady."

[Nevlonniel]

The small smile that began to blossom on her deep magenta lips was not what brought her back into view, but the movement of her mouth to form words.

"My good sir, I was just merely sitting here, enjoying the evening's star-lit night."

She looked at him coyly, before once again beginning to fade. But before she faded completely, she scotted on the white bench to make room for him.

"From your curiousity of this world, I'd venture to guess this is your fiest time visiting Lordaeron."

[Aaron Belargic]

"You guess correctly," Aaron replied as he strolled to join his counterpart on the bench, sitting down slowly. Now in the same position as the Lady, he watched the dancing lights inside of his and Kelt's hut and thought for a brief moment about his brothers and where they were.

"I remember meeting you in the Bar and Grill," he continued, still watching the glow from the window, "and crashing into you. I have to admit – this is a far much more pleasant setting to meet in. How about we start afresh, hm?"

[Nevlonniel]

Nevlonniel turned her head to look at Aaron, smiling genuinely. Her features were youthful, but her eyes twinkled with the wisdom of many years.

"I'd like that very much."

A comfortable silence settled between them before nevlonniel spoke again.

"Will you be staying long here on Lordaeron, or will you be leaving tomorrow evening with the Captain and his crew?"

[Aaron Belargic]

Somehow, Aaron could see the years in Nelvonniels eyes. Her eyes told of all the things she had seen. They were not worn, but rather enriched by all of her experiences. When Aaron looked into his own reflection, he saw the clean eyes of a child. In spite of his long years, the Hallaeran had seen very little. Though those draining events which he had experienced had been strong, they were few and far between. Somehow, he imagined that this woman before him had seen hundreds of battles, lost family, friends, lovers and more, and yet still each day awoken with all of her strength. Quite amazing.

"I… I've never seen my home before," he finally mustered as a reply, "I think it would be a shame to miss an opportunity such as this. I should like to return someday, though…"

He smiled lightly and looked away up into the sky and stars for a short while, in silence.

"If it would please you, you may join us."

[Nevlonniel]

She smiled.

"The thought had crossed my mind. I may just ask the Captain for permission to embark with him and his companions on this quest."

She looked at Aaron. "No one should be seperated from their home for so long, even to never have seen it. You will see your home."

She looked away.

"It is a shame that Hallaera has always been in one form of conflict or another." She looked back at him, placing a hand on his arm closest to her. "But I feel that something good will come of your visiting your home planet. It will be the first time, but it will certainly not be the last."

[Aaron Belargic]

"I hope you're right," Aaron said with a slight sigh, "Dasquian keeps mentioning how he feels as though there is a dark shadow over this trip. I'm almost beginning to believe him. I can feel something is amiss, but I don't know what."

He shook his head and looked up, forcing a small smile, "But if you feel to the contrary, perhaps we're all worrying for nothing. I think Dasquian is a little bitter since his last encounter with the natives..."

[Nevlonniel]

Her feathery eyebrows came together slightly as a small frown creased her forehead.

"Your brother has been to Hallaera before?"

It wasn't so much that this astounded her, but the fact that in order to get to Hallaera, many ships had to go past Lordaeon, many a time landing on the torquoise planet to rest and get provisions. And yet, this was the first time both had been here.

"What was it your brother encountered on his homeworld?"

[Aaron Belargic]

Aaron gave a vague nod, "Yes. He and the former Jedi Knight Xazor Elessar journeyed there some time ago. From what I have been told, what they encountered were a people similar to the Hallaerans. In fact... they looked sort of like Will. Dark hair and pointed ears, only... darker. Very pale skin, almost deathly, and sharp teeth, as though they had once been like us but had some how mutated or evolved into something else in time."

[Nevlonniel]

Nevlonniel looked full on at Aaron, her skin fading into a lighter shade of violet.

"Your brother encountered the Cursed Ones?? And he lived to tell about it?..."

She turned back to look out over the twinkling lights among the bows of the tall trees.

"He is very lucky."

She didn't speak of the small convoy that had been sent to Hallaera from Lordaeron to settle the conflicts on the ravaged planet, nor about the empty ship sent back with broken bodies in it.

Since then they had made more headway into finding ways onto the planet, but she will never forget that day... so long ago.

She lifted a hand and placed it gently on Aaron's.

"He is very lucky indeed to have escaped the Cursed Ones wrath." She looked at Aaron. "I pray to the goddess Elune that no harm fall upon you and your comrades as you seek to go to Hallaera tomorrow."

[Aaron Belargic]

Aaron could see and sense the worry in Nevlonniel. It made his confidence waver ever so slightly.

"Then you will not accompany us," he said, almost in resovle, "Dasquian tells me that they were protecting something. I think that we shall have to uncover whatever this is when we're there... his lightsaber scared them off, he tells me, but they he left shortly after their ambush, not wanting to anger them any further."

[Nevlonniel]

Nevlonniel half smiled about how Dasquian's lightsaber had scared the Cursed Ones.

"They are a superstitious lot. It's no surprise that they were frightened by your brothers lightsaber."

The half smile faded into a pleasent one.

"And I never said I would not go with you to Hallaera. When you and your comrads hour is dire, you will see me again."

She stood, her indigo hair brushing past Aaron's shoulder.

"The hour is late, and I must let you get your rest." She bent over and placed a feathery-gentle kiss upon Aaron's forehead. "May you sleep with Elune's graces tonight."

She backed a few steps away before turning and making her way down the winding white wooden bridges that conected the trees. Before long, her visage had faded into the night.

[William Belargic]

Dasquian and Will had been slowly making their way back to the small tree cabin they had been given. As they came upon the walkway that would lead them through the back entrance to their quarters, they spotted Aaron sitting on a white wooden bench, his sight tranfixed in the distance along the walkway.

When they reached him, Will poked him in the arm.

"You awake there, mate?"

[Aaron Belargic]

Aaron blinked, rousing himself from a momentary state of what seemed like entrancement. He smiled up at his brothers, shaking away the confusion of where Nev had gone.

“Mm… that Lady Shadowmoon is really something,” he said with a broad smile.

[Dasquian Belargic]

“You never change,” Dasquian chuckled, “You should have your mind on more important things.”

Aaron scowled, “I’ll have you know we were talking about the trip.”

“I’m sure you were, but I have my doubts as to whether that was what you were thinking about.”

He laughed, while his brother rolled his eyes, waving a dismissive hand.

[William Belargic]

Will chuckled.

"And that, dear brother, isn't even the half of it."

He looked off in the dark distance, then up at the cracks of sky that could be seen through the trees, and finally back down to his siblings.

"Only a few more hours until dawn, and we need to leave here just before the sun rises to be in Hallarea while it's still dark."

He gave them both a shallow bow.

"I take my leave of you. I need to get back to the ship and make sure all supplies and equipment are ready. And while I'm at it, find some time to get a few moments of shut-eye." He began to walk past them, giving each a hearty slap on the shoulder with his hand. "Sweet dreams, mateys. I'll see you bright and early... in a few hours."

With that, he reached the railing to one of the winding stairs (one that didn't have decorative lamps hanging from it), placed his behind on the rail, and slid down several flights to the docking level below. A resounding "wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" echoed into the night air.

[Dasquian Belargic]

With that, the twins too departed for their rest to their respective huts. Dasquian, despite his worries over the coming day, managed to have a dreamless sleep, which he lulled into soon after his head hit the pillow. Aaron, on the other hand, was pre-occupied with far too many thoughts to get a decent nights rest. He tossed and turned all night, fretting over the journey, and musing over his conversation with the Lady Shadowmoon. In the end, when they were awoken in the morning, the Hallaeran Padawan was bleary eyed and unable to stop yawning. Dasquian looked as smart as he ever did, of course.

It was decided that Kelt was going to return to the Jedi Order, having been called back on urgent business. Neither of the twins was much too bothered – Kelt had seemed preoccupid for the majority of the journey anyway.

Wandering out onto the walkways, Dasquian and Aaron met up with one another.

“Good morning.”

“There isn’t anything good about it,” Aaron remarked, as he glanced up into the still-dark morning sky.

“I know you’re worried, but you mustn’t vex. Try to enjoy yourself.”

“I am, believe me,” he dipped his chin onto the back of his hands, as he propped his elbows against the rail that ran around the walkway. Dasquian gave him a light pat on the back, sighing quietly. They said nothing for a few minutes, moving only when the sound of a familiar voice stirred them – William was approaching, and making sure everyone heard about it.

[William Belargic]

Will had gotten maybe a few hours of shut eye, if one could call it that. He had perfected a way of sleeping that allowed him to still be aware of his surroundings, something one had to learn if one was to be a successful pirate... and stay alive to tell about it.

He was greeting Lordaerons left and right as he made his way back up to the hut his brithers had spent the night in. When he got there, he found both Dasquian and Aaron outside of the hut, but no Kelt.

"Where's your friend?"

Dasquian explained that the other Jedi that had accompanied them had been called back to Coruscant on urgent business, to which Will shrugged. "His loss." He placed a sturdy arm around each brothers shoulders and began to steer them down the wide stair case towards the docking platforms. "We're going to have lots of fun today, aye, that we are." He gave Aaron a reasuring squeeze having felt the tension in the other's shoulders.

A short time later, they were aboard the ship, where it was alive with Hallaeran pirates going about the business of preparing the ship for departure. Food stores were packed, ammunition and weapons were stowed, even special supplies for the journey were ready and at hand for their landing on Hallaera. There appeared to be no fear in the Hallaerans eyes as they went about their business; only determination.

Will led his brothers to the bridge where his first mate was finishing barking some orders. He turned to see Will and his brothers enter, giving him a lazy salute.

"Everything's ready, Captain. All we need is your word."

Will nodeed his head in approval. "Good good." He turned to look at dasquian and Aaron. "Boys, if you will kindly take your seats, we're ready to depart."

He then turned back to his crew and began giving orders, standing at the command rail and looking out over the crew pits and view screen. The ship slowly rose without so much as a stutter, carefully clearing the tree canopy, before angling upwards into the still dark sky towards Hallaera.

[Nevlonniel]

"When you and your comrads hour is dire, you will see me again."

Her own words echoed in her ears as she watched from a cliffedge as the Ebony Jewel disappeared into the black ink of space.

She had not been there to say farewell. Istead, she had chosen to climb to a high peak atop her giant white tiger accompanied by her first hand Shanaria who rode a qiant black panther and Sylos who had chosen to walk.

"May the Goddess Elune protect you."

She spoke the words to the spot where the ship had disappeared, letting a moment pass before turning to her first hand.

"Come, we have work to do."

Both steered their giant felines down the slope, back to the forest dwellings.

[Aaron Belargic]

As quick as they had arrived, they were departing. Aaron watched Lordaeron slowly shrinking through his view screen, wondering if they might end up making another stop there on the way back from Hallaera. While they flew, Aaron ate and played a game of cards with one of the ships crew, his anxiety showing in the continual shaking of his hands. Dasquian on the other hand was roaming around the ship once more, admiring the fine detail of the architecture with which it had been built. There was much to see, and somehow he felt like he should see it all now, incase Will ever jetted off into the stars without returning.

“How long?”

“Not long.”

“No, how long.”

The engineer looked up at Aaron with a shrug, tossing out another card onto the large pile accumulating between the two Hallaerans. Aaron had lost three deals in a row, mostly due to his not paying attention. He picked a card at random and slid it out onto the table top.

“An hour or two?”

He sighed, as the crewman pulled in the cards, once more beginning to shuffle them.

“I can’t wait that long.”

[William Belargic]

Will was sitting and brooding in his Captain's chair while his first mate, Jaclaren went about the crew pits, making sure all was in order.

He was lost in thought, thinking of ways to ensure their safety while on Hallaera, trying not to think of the horrific rumors he'd heard of the planet. It'd been several years since he'd been back, and he'd heard things had only gotten worse. It didn't make for a very inviting quest.

But, he was doing it for his newly found brothers, and this brought a smile to his creased brow.

It was at this time Dasquian had come back from his umpteenth self-tour of the ship, and caught the glimpse of a smile on Will's otherwise very serious expression.

"Something funny?" Dasquian asked with his own smile.

Will snapped to and looked up. "Nah... just trying to figure out how we're going to survive this trip."

Dasquian looked perplexed, "And this brings a smile to your face?"

The Pirate shook his head. "Nope. You and your brother do."

It didn't exactly fully answer Dasquian's question, but he seemed satisfied none the less.

Will took in a deep breath and looked off in his First Mate's direction. "Jac, you have the command center."

"Aye, aye, Captain."

Will stood and gestured for Dasquian to accompany him. "Let's go into the officer's lounge. We need to iron out some details of our landing and what parties we should group together." He frowned. "Not to mention to figure out exactly what we're looking for."

He wasn't privy to the type of information dasquian could get, especially with his ties to the Jedi and New Republic. While Will had his tiny net of spies he knew to contact, it was nothing that compared to the library of resources Dasquian had access to. It was time to put that info and knowledge to effect and lay out a floor plan.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Dasquian followed Will, as the two departed to a more secluded area for discussion. It was small and quiet, though the permanent hum of the engines could still be heard. The pair sat down.

“Well…” He cleared his throat. “I think what we’re looking for is sentient beings, of which we already know there are some. They simply aren’t very welcoming to us outsiders.”

[William Belargic]

"Aye."

Will nodded his head thoughtfully. He'd heard stories and witnessed some of the inhabitants of Hallaera himself... from a safe distance. It perplexed him somewhat on how a once civilized people could turn so, well, uncivilized.

He looked at the table they sat at, and hit a button on a small console in front of him. In the center of the table illuminated a whirling sphere of the system. Will pressed some more buttons, zooming them into where Hallaera orbitied, and further into the planet where they would be landing. He pointed to the spot.

"On a little trip my crew and I took about half a year ago, we landed the ship here, near this river under these cliffs. It has dense vegitation, but the vegitation is low..." He continued to point, letting his finger trace the map, "until about here where the trees grow very tall."

He lowered his finger. "It makes for a good place to land and conceal the ship. We of course would leave a few of the crew here... a skeleton crew at best, and take the rest with us as back up, leaving them to follow at a distance bhind to keep anyone from coming around us."

He smiled somewhat mischievously. "I have yet to see anyone outdo my crew when it comes to stealth. They could probably hear you breathing before you even noticed their weaponry pointed at you." He sighed. "Of course, we were lucky the last time we came to Hallaera in not being detected. I can't continue to think our luck will hold out all the time."

[Dasquian Belargic]

“These people didn’t seem the types of subtlety,” Dasquian mused aloud, “Then again; it is possible that we simply encountered a handful of what is really a vast population. We spent all of our time in the Sovereign city… it is quite likely that there are settlements spread across the rest of the planet. With being sent away from the planet at such an early age, we were never given the chance to see anything more than the capitol city itself.”

Dasquian turned to William, a grave look in his eyes. His voice was calm and sincere. “Promise me that we won’t go down their armed to the teeth. It’s not my way, William – it’s not our way. They fled when they saw my lightsaber. I know that we need to defend ourselves, but we don’t want to appear like we’re some kind of invasion party. It’ll only alarm them even more.”

[William Belargic]

Will looked as his triplit for a moment, studying his face. With a sigh and nod, he conceaded.

"Alright, you have my word. We won't go down there 'armed to the teeth'. We'll carry concealed weapons, and the few archers I have will be part of the party that remainds behind us at a distance."

He taped his curved sword at his hip. "I'll even leave this here. I will however take my dual long-knives with me, but those are worn on my back and thusly not noticed as a threat... out right at any rate."

The ship bucked gently. Will looked up and then out towards the windows in the room. "It looks like we're entering the planet's atmosphere." Outside, the blackness of space began to take on a faint glow, but only faint, as the ship decended into the night side of Hallaera.

He stood and made his way to the door to go back to the bridge. "Better get our brother up here and inform him we won't be going out in full force. Somehow, he doesn't strike me as being the one to have 'the way' of not being armed to the teeth." He spoke this as he passed by Dasquian, gesturing for him to follow Will onto the bridge.

[Aaron Belargic]

Once the two brothers had arrived onto the bridge it was not long before the third joined them. He and the engineer had played another hand of cards before Aaron’s nerves had finally gotten the better of him. Seeing the Jedi’s obvious discomfort, the crewman had conceded defeat before urging Aaron to rejoin his family on the main deck. Approaching Dasquian and William, Aaron caught sight of Hallaera through the ships front view port. They had entered the atmosphere mere moments ago, although it would have been easy to remain oblivious to this – unlike the ships the twins were used to, this vessel moved smoothly even through the roughest of star fields.

Anxiety was self-evident in Aaron’s posture and manners, Dasquian did not need his skills as an empath to see that. “Not long now. Don’t worry, brother.”

“Don’t worry he says,” Aaron exchanged an irritated glance with William. “I don’t know how you can remain so calm when we’re venturing into the unknown… quite possibly to meet with these Cursed Ones again.”

Dasquian sighed. His brother had spent too much time away from the Temple, and now lacked the composure he had once carried so flawlessly.

[William Belargic]

Will gave Aaron a hearty pat on the back, enough to send a few organs rattling against the Jedi's rib cage.

"Think positively, brother. If it's one thing I've learned from my short encounter with you two, is patience." He quirked an eyebrow towards Dasquian. "Ok, well, maybe a wee bit more from one of you."

He quickly clasped his hands together to forestall any comments to what he'd just said. "ANYWAYS, we have a job to do. Time to head on down to the airlocks."

With a very characteristic bounce in his step, he briskly walked towards the lift that would take him below where his venturing party awaited him. As he entered the lift, followed closely by the twins, he called over his shoulder.

"First mate! You have the bridge! Keep her safe!"

As the lift doors closed, a hearty "Aye aye!" was heard from his second in command.

Now in the relative quite confines of the lift, Will went over in his head what they would need, mummbling at intervals. "Concealed weaponry... lighter on foot... no large equiptment... archers to the rear..." He went on like this, as if oblivious to the other two Hallaerans with him, until the lift doors open and spilled them onto the cargo deck where a half dozen pirates awaited them... armed to the teeth.

Will stopped just outside of the lift, shook his head, let out a hearty laugh, and then began to relay to his crew that they were to go out with concealed weaponry due to the delicate nature of the inhabitants. With much grumbling, the pirtaes removed the large weapns from their backs and sides, but kept smaller weapons that were easily concealed within jackets, pant legs, and small satchels. To the archers, Will informed them they were to take a position behind the main venture party, several paces back, as a back-up. Finally he informed them that they would be traveling on foot instead of using the hover vehicles some were already clamoring on. With some more dejected sighs, they dismounted the vehicles and came to stand in a semi-organized line, facing their leader.

"This isn't going to be easy, not for any of us. We've heard the stories, hell, some of us have even expereinces what the natives here can do. But we're doing this to unravel a mystery... a mystery I know all of you would like to have answered." There was a collective nodding of heads and affirmative grunts. Will smiled his charming lopsided grin, grabbing a twin, one under each arm. "And with the help of my brothers here, we'll find that answer yet!" This let out a cheering whoop from the gathered pirates as the ship settled on a patch of soft moss and brush.

At the ramps controls stood a uncharacteristically burly and very fair Hallaeran. He hit the controls and the ramp lowered slowly into the midight mist. Small insect sounds and wild animals calls filled the cargo hold, silencing everyone and putting them all on alert.

Will looked out into the unknown and took in a deep breath, forcing a small smile onto his face. "Gentlemen... off into the night we go." With that, he led the half dozen pirates into Hallarea's wilds, flanked on either side by his brothers.

[Dasquian Belargic]

As they moved through the dark woodlands, Dasquian felt a creeping sense of foreboding. He had begun to feel it the moment they had entered the planets atmosphere, and now here on the surface he could sense it even more keenly. There was an eerie quiet to the forest, the keep that preceded an ambush, yet he could feel no trace of other life nearby. Something had changed since he had last been here, and not for the better.

“We’re going round in circles,” a voice murmured. Dasquian glanced over his shoulders and saw that a small group of Will’s crew were growing somewhat uneasy. At Dasquians command, the group stopped, each of the ‘pirates’ watching their Jedi guides with a degree of skepticism.

“Aaron,” he spoke in a hushed tone. “The Jewel is landed at a bearing north east to the bridge. Can you work out the quickest way to reach it?”

The Jedi Padawan nodded and lowered himself into a kneeling position. Adopting a typical stance for meditation, he began to focus upon the Force and the world around him, allowing images of the terrain and landscape to unfold in his mind. After some time had passed, Dasquian spoke.

“This won’t be quick,” he explained to the others, some of whom began to sit down. “But don’t take this as an opportunity to rest. We must keep our…”

crack- Dasquian cut himself off, looking left then right. They were not alone.

[William Belargic]

Everyone in the party froze. They'd all heard the distinctive twig snapping. Had it been an animal, the chipring of birds and insects would have continued, but everything was deathly quiet to the point of seeming deafening.

Will made a motion with his left hand, and his crew quietly without so much as crunching a dried leaf disapeared into the brush. As for Will, he instinctively went for his cutless with his right hand to unsheath it. It normally hung on his left hip, but when his hand got there, the weapon was missing. He cursed inwardly having remembered his promise to Dasquian about not going in "armed to the teeth", and had even promised to leave his sword behind.

Instead, he lowered his hand slowly, keeping both of them free if he needed to quickly go his his long-knives at his back.

His crew at this point was completely concealed, and the few archers they had as part of their party were a few paces back from the main party. Only the three brothers remained standing in the path they had created through the forest, listening, muscles tensed.

Will hazzarded a question, strained at a low, almost inaudible, whisper, "Do either of you sense anything through the Force? Cause my gut sure as hell is sensing something."