Not Your Average Crime Cartel: SHADOWFAENE

[DarthHERA]

Hera was "diplomacy'd Out."


Between keeping the Cizeracks happy enough to not be biting at her heels at every turn, and then schmoozing the Nemoidian Trade Federation enough for her to stay "in the loop" and be privy to all their little entrepenauring interactions - she had just about enough "civilising" to last her a lifetime 3 times longer than that little green jedi Yoghurt's age.

It was time to get rowdy.

She had met with the operatives from SFF base - including some new employees, Cyrus Haman and Switch Escalof...as well as the intrepid Lady Daiquiri, and had given them a brief draft of what she proposed. All the SFF employees were invited to join in this raid. Their cut would be an equal share of profit made.
The Hutts had a nice little spice cache she wanted to get her hands on...why should they monopolise the entire market??

Trouble was, it was deep in Gorgja's palace and so wasnt like she could just walk in and take it. But that never stopped her before.

Maneuvering the "Wolfsschanze" Y2400 out of the ShadowFaene Base hidden spaceport, Hera pushed hard on the thrusters. Remkah, the base captain spoke in his trademark gravelled voice. "14 hours to Ylesia, Hera. Been a whle since I've been that part of scumville."

Hera grinned...."Then is way past due, Rem. Way past."

Banking right, the graceful ship was soon lost among the deepness of space.

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

Gods, she loved her ship!! How she ended up with the ship would always remain a secret. Yeah, Hera had gotten the ship here, but Daiq is the one who had arranged it, without Hera's knowledge.

Stepping back, her gaze runs lovingly over the <a href=http://members.tripod.com/Tiger887/ConquerorAS.html>Better Days</a>. A Surrorian made Conqueror-class assualt ship. Not many made and even more difficult to come by, but she had done it. A smile slides across her lips at the memory of how Hera had gotten her all liquored up, hoping that Daiq would let the cat out of the bag with a few well placed queries. Nothing doin! Even totally soused, she had refused to tell the story and at this point in time, she didnt think she ever would. Who would believe her anyway?

Daiq had seen to more modifications on her ship and adding a belly turret was one of her biggies. She wanted all angles covered, despite the solid shielding and leaving her ships vunerable belly open to attack didnt set well with her. Now, with that taken care of, she was ready to join Hera at the arranged meeting place.

With a last loving pat to the hull, she strides up the ramp and settles down into the captains' seat. Her seat. Her first ship. And she was finding out there was almost nothing as good as owning your own vessel. Almost. Inhaling deeply, she catches the faint scent left by Vega when he first joined her here at the Fortress. Grinning, she thinks again....."almost".

She had previously run her preflight check and was ready to go. Depressing the button to start up her engines, she sighs as they come to life, rumbling deep, steady and low, all music to her ears. Rising gracefully from its struts, the Better Days eases forward in response to Daiq's command. As they clear the base, she grins widely, from ear to ear and pushes the throttle all the way forward. The sleek craft answers without hesitation and in the span of just a few heartbeats, ShadowFaene disappears from view. Gods, she LOVED this ship!!

[Switch Escalof]

"GOD DAMN @$%# SHIP!!! WHY THE @#$% CANT YOU STAY TOGETHER MORE THAN 10 @#$% MINUTES?!?!"

*The engineer then slammed his wrench down upon one of the Highwind's stabilizers knocking it back into place. Switch's jaw dropped, and his cig bounced upon the deck of the modified Corellian gunship. He stared in disbelief for a few seconds and then contacted the bridge.*

"Um ya, the stabilizer's fixed, prepare for takeoff."

"Of course, sir. We will be awaiting your arrival on the bridge. C-345 out"

*As the sound of the annoying protocal droid ended Switch puffed his cig and exited the engine room. R5K9 was close behind his owner as Switch made his way to the bridge of his ship. The small droid kept beepng and whirring at his master all the way to their destination. Usually, Switch would just tell it to shutup or go run a diagnostic or something. Today however the grizzled old pirate was in a good mood. He was finally back in the mix. It was then that they arrived at the bridge. The crew of droids all saluted their owner and commander then quickly went back to their duties. C-345 walked up to Switch.*

"Sir, the ship is prepped and ready for take off."

"Hell yeah! What're we waiting for then?" Switch lit up another cig and took a seat in the captain's chair. "Lift off and head for the coordinates Hera gave us."

*The Highwind Mk2's engine started up, and the ship lifted off the platform. The hanger doors opened and the gunship rocketed outat a speed that could rival most light freightors. 2 ships flew past her and jumped into hyperspace. Switch looked over at R5*

"Think we can beat um out?"

*The droid beeped and Switch smirked*.

"So do I, Make the jump."

*The ship went silent for a second, but then a high pitched screeching noise and the trademark lines appeared in the viewport as the Highwind entered hyperspace.

[Mr Wednesdaydale]

The sleek curvature of a Sorosuub yacht began to appear on the edge of the Wolfsschanze's visual radius. Slowly, it vectored to intercept Hera's ship...

[imported_Cyrus Haman]

Haman yawned as he rose from the bed.

Last night had been great...Real great.

Damn I haven't had that happen to me since before that Kessel Run I last did...

The smuggler walked through the dark room, lighting up a cigarre and taking a puff. He inhaled the smoke and smiled...it was good too. Not as good as last night, but still good.

Cyrus Haman exitted the room, clad in nothing, and headed towards the cockpit.

"Nice ship ya got here, lover," he smiled as he sat next to Hera in the Wolfsschanze.

"Was it as good for ya as it was fer me?" His eyebrows went up as he made his last statement. He copped one last feel then asked seriously.

"So where we goin'?"

[DarthHERA]

"Your in my chair"

Remkah's deep growl came over Cyrus' shoulder. Upon seeing the naked smuggler he grimaced.

"Nevermind, stay there for now."

The SFF captain addressed Hera, smacking Hamans wandering hand out of the way. "Hell, Hera - cant you atleast stipulate your employees wear pants."

Cyrus shrugged, ignoring the comment and looked over the flight controls..

A sly smile graced Hera's lips as Haman made himself at home in the co-pilot seat. She couldnt help it. As much as she didnt want to encourage the shifty little rogue, last night had been one of her more glorious performances and she had Haman to thank for it. Against her better judgement, she had taken to drinking with him and well, we all know how the story goes. It had been a welcome distraction and one long overdue for the Sith Mistress.


She didnt even reply to Cyrus's question, as of now, she was all business. Last night was past - there was work to do.

"Haman - your on the clock now. I suggest you put some cloths on...your gonna need someplace to stow your blaster.. (Cyrus smirked) er, your weapon. (now he was sniggering) .Just go and get dressed."

She finished with a scowl that only deepend as she saw an unfamiliar craft cross over on an intercept course with the "Wolfsschanze"

Remkah immediately sent an alert to the "Better Days" and Switch's ship, the "Highwind" and kept an open channel until the unknown vessels intentions were clarified.

Then switching frequency, Remkah hailed the Sorosuub.

"This is ShadowFaene Vessel, "Wolfsschanze". Declare your intentions immediately."

[Mr Wednesdaydale]

A familiar voice came across the audio channels

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy! Es that yew, Luv?

[DarthHERA]

Remkah looked across at Hera, confused - "What language is that...Romulin?"

Hera screwed her face up at him, "What? Gimme that." She muscled Remkah aside and pressed on the transmitter switch to speak.


"Barnaby? You really should give some kind of advance warning when gliding up on our lot. You, if anyone, should know pirates are notorious for being trigger-happy."

She took a deep breath, her tone warming.

"So...what can we do for you, Mr. Wednesdaydale?"

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

Remkah's deep voice rang out from the comm, startling Daiq from her self-induced happy reverie of her ships performance. The soft, low rumble of the engines was music to her ears and had almost lulled her to sleep until the call came through.

"Better Days and Highwind, be advised that an unknown vessel is approaching the Wolfsschanze at the preset rendevouz coordinates. Leaving channel open for further advisement. Remkah."

A worried frown creases her forehead at the words and Daiq glances at her chrono. Damn, still close to ten minutes before she could drop out of hyperspace and until that time, her hands would be tied, unable to offer any assisstance! She might not be able to alter the equations for space, time and velocity, but she sure as hell could come out with her guns blazing! A viscous snarl spreads across her lips at the thought of Hera in trouble and she reaches up, fingers tapping the buttons that bring her heavy guns to bear.

From mid-ship top, a thick panel slides open as two turreted double lazer canons emerge, capable of independent firing. On each side of the craft, heavily shielded ion canons appear from thier secreted hiding place and the newly installed belly turret drops down, its lethal muzzle ready to spit death at anyone foolish enough to open fire on the Wolfsschanze.

Daiq shoots a quick look at her chrono again, curses filling the cabin at the realization that barely a minute has passed and no further word has come from Remkah through the open comm. Well!! By the four moons of Yavin, the Better Days was an assault ship and by all the gods she fully intended on assaulting someone!

Her eyes shift again....eight minutes......her fingers begin to tap restlessly near the firing controls of her guns..............

[imported_Cyrus Haman]

Haman smiled as he lounged in the chair.

The best thing about screwing your boss was when she liked it too. And he knew Hera liked it.

Now if that damn captain would just leave us alone for some more 'personal time'.

It had been four years since Haman had done anything with a chick. And he was happy to have chosen this one for his first since.

He looked at the old man in the monitor and almost threw up.

What an ugly bastich. I hope I don't look like him in 10 years...hell ever.

He turned to Hera, still clad in only skin.

"So who is this guy? Whatta we doin' here?"

[Mr Wednesdaydale]

A lil birdie went whesperin' en mah lord an' peer, an' he said yew moight be privy tew a lil' cohnspirin' round the ways af Ylesia.

Barnaby smiled.

Woll Ah ain't meanin' ta speak foh ya, but when Ah'm privy tew mah Posh an' Becks, Ah've no mind foh sloppy seconds, ef yew get mah meanin'.

Yew ain't the the first tew the punch weth this idea, Luv.

[DarthHERA]

Speaking into the transmitter, "Of course not, of course not, Barnaby."

She cut transmission momentarily and rounded on Remkah, Cyrus and even the droid in the corner of the cockpit. "Who the hell told Wednesdaydale! I want the dirty scum found and killed!! What the hell..." She was furious. All the euphoria of the night before spent with Haman evaporated. How could Wednesdaydale gotten wind of her plan to steal from the Hutts so quickly? She cursed under her breath. "Send word to Daiquiri and Switch to be on the alert. If this guy knows, no telling who else might know."

She cursed again. Pity she had nothing handy to throw or crush. Cyrus, suddenly feeling vunerable, crossed his legs.

She resumed her connection with Wednesdaydale.

"So.......I take it, you wish to help us with our task?"

[Mr Wednesdaydale]

Af course, Luv! Yoh competition jes happens ta be mine es well. Sasseeri's a roight cagey lil Richie....an' a Godiver'll get yew a cockle that she's musclin' en on the both af us.

Ah'm not much privy to details, but the cheeky lil twist & twirl's got a few pro's on 'er team.

He smiled

Fortunately, Ah got the same talent pool.

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

.....two minutes!! Gods, could time go any slower ?? Daiq still hadnt received an "alls clear" from Hera. For that matter, she hadnt received an "We're under attack!" or a "Go bugger yourself" communique either. What was going on out there?!

With a long deep breath, she calms her mind, stilling it just enough to try and pick up on Hera's thoughts. A puzzled frown creases her face as all she can pick up is..........intense aggravation and...no, there was something else........more than that..................Barnaby ??

The naviputer beeps, signalling her that the drop from hyperspeed is at hand. As the drop is made, she cuts the engines throttle and fires the retros as her eyes quickly scan the area. Sure enough, another ship rests close to the Wolfsschanze , one that is totally unfamiliar to her. tapping the controls on her board, Daiq swings the nose of the Better Days around to squarely face to unidentified ship and once again lets her fingers rest close to the firing controls, waiting still for word from Hera.

[DarthHERA]

"Better Days" maneuvered into an aggressive position towards Barnaby's ship. A thin smile of approval formed on Hera's lips and she knew Daiquiri's finger probably was hovering dangerously close to the weapons buttons. It never hurt to flex a little muscle towards a new associate.

Wednesdaydales reciever scractched again as Hera's voice come through.

"I see, Barnaby - The enemy of my enemy is my friend, yes? Then this should be a profitable enterprise."

Hera hid the annoyance from her voice. How did he know?!
There would be answers or there would be heads removed from shoulders. She continued to glare at those in the cockpit.

Hera assumed the "Sass" he referred to was the Cizerack "Business Woman". Perhaps that was where the leak had come... A low snarl growled in the base of Hera's throat. Nasseerri's days were numbered, and that not too high.

She motioned for Remkah to update Daiquiri and Switch on separate chanels. It would be unfortunate should one of them attack Wednesdaydale, when he might prove to be very useful to them.

"We plan to travel to Ylesia and come to port near Gorgja's palace - do you have any suggestions?" Hera was careful to speak in general terms - she wasnt sure yet as to how far she trusted the cagey, thickly-accented Wednesdaydale. No doubt, he felt the same way.

[Mr Wednesdaydale]

Wot Ah suggest es that yew find a playah that awlready et the table, Luv.

The Hutts can be bought. Af corse, that'll mean they've awlready been bought. Nothin friendly there. Ah'm definitely out. En fact, Ah was nevah here...en yew can pohlitely keep yah mincahs outta mah general direction.

Et means...yew need a playah that nobody...an Ah mean nobody...will expect.

He grinned evilly

Ah suggest yew hang loose, an wait foh the main caper. Ah'm sure yew could use Cizerack muscle an a anonymous tip tew take the candy outta the baby's mouth, get mah meanin, Luv?

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

Remkah's voice crackled through the comm, then solidified into his normal bass.


"Better Days" , this is the Wolfschanze. Stand down, I repeat, stand down and do not fire. Wolfschanze out."

Rather relunctantly, Daiq lowers her hand. She had been hoping for a bit of a go at whoever it was hanging off beside Hera's vessel but she had her orders and Daiq wasnt one to go against Hera's wishes.

Leaning back in her seat, she expands her mind once again, gently nudging Hera's to try and sort out what was going on. Barnaby kept coming through loud and clear but the rest was muddled so she pulled back, retracting her mind from the Faene mistress's.

Normally, Daiquiri was calm and patience was her middle name but right now she itched to get this show on the road, to get something going. Ahh, well. Until this matter was hammered out, she might as well relax and turns her thoughts to more pleasant activities. The visage of a tall, blonde Dark Jedi comes to mind and she smiles.

[DarthHERA]

Remkah blinked blankly at the transmission consol as if he could see Barnabys voice there. He was having great difficulty understanding what was being said. Hera had to admit, she was too. But she thought she got the general idea enough.

More Cizeracks? She was brimming on livid now. She did not need more of the felinoids around. The constant presence of Nasseerri was becoming the bane of her existance.

"The felinoids have their uses, yes, but they also have an appetite for pies that dont belong to them. Which is all well and good, until its my pie they want."



edit: ttt

[Mr Wednesdaydale]

The trouble es gettin the goods off Ylesia. Our mutual competition does the hard work...an anonymous tip drops the kitties on their heads. All we hafta do es trail the cizerack patrol and sting'em when they ain't expectin et!

[DarthHERA]

He was suggesting a blatant "hit and run" on the Cizerack patrol once Sasseeri had done all the hard work.

As enjoyable as that would be, Hera saw two major flaws in that strategy.

One - Sasseeri was notoriously wily and odds were that the Cizerack business woman would not only successfully "lift" the cargo Hera wanted, but abscond with it before their own trap could be sprung on her, loosing everything.

Two (and this was the greater risk) - SFF was in a trade-alliance with the Cizeracks, and such an aggressive move on her part such as attacking a patrol in its line of duty, would surely rip that all to peices, ending a "friendship" that was yet to be reaped of all its rewards.

No. Hera's plan was to steal from the Hutts without them knowing who the offender was. With the slugs being part of the CIS, it was important they had no idea who it was that was stealing from them. Saass would be a golden scapegoat for this and Hera cunningly realised that Barnaby could sow some seeds to this effect.

"I have a better idea Barnaby."

The silence on the other end of the transmitter atleast was a sign the old boy was listening.

"Why dont you pay our Hutt friends a little visit of your own, occupy them and maybe grease the way security-wise for us. Drop a hint here and there of certain errant Cizerack interest in their operation... Then we do the slam'n'grab thing and we all meet back up and divide the spoils."

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

Silence is golden.

Like hell it was! Here she was waiting to hear something more from Hera or Remkah and all she was getting was an earful of nothing.

Turning up the volume on her comm, Daiq sighs as she gets up and walks to the small kitchenette. Fishing a flavored water out of the 'frig she strolls back to the cockpit and drops casually back into her seat, one leg dangling across the arm rest as she frowns out toward what she perceived as the delay.

Personally she liked the old guy. Wednesdaydale had an odd charm about him but Daiq figured Hera was having a hell of a time translating what he was saying to her. Musing silently, Daiquiri takes a long swig from the water bottle as the three ships hang in the darkness of space.