Shadows of Bankor

Djanik had waited until the excitement was over, the fallout complete, before hiking out into the scrap yards for a mission of his own.

There, he had met Elaranu, who had been generous enough to give him a lift.

Far from the eyes of others, they had entered the wound from the end opposite camp-14. He had a sensor ping to investigate, and it seemed wise to give the destroyed imperial prison a wide berth.

Sitting in the co-pilot chair, he watched the sensors, trying to make sure he wasn't the cause of any new scratches or dings on the ship she had so recently obtained.

He had been surprisingly quiet, so far - seemingly dwelling in both memories and the present, focused on the task at hand.

The dark of night was no like the dark of space; Night on a planet hid things. Nothing caution couldn't find of course, but it put Elaranu on edge. Thus, she was largely silent too, concentrating on her own controls, even as they hovered with repulsor jets. He had said there was something important out here, and Ela believed the man. And certainly this was better than him renting an airspeeder on his own (in her mind)... but that didn't mean she liked it.

For his part, he just hoped he was right, and this wasn't just a wild bantha chase.

If it was, he'd owe her more than a drink.

They were close to where he had gotten the ping before, so now the question was just what they would find on arrival.

The spot was a cave located in the base of the Wound, the sounds of the river fill the background. Thick brush covers much of the entrance to the cave.

Djanik checked the sensors, hoping for any other information.

Boosting scanners, computers raw: 3eA+2eD 3 successes


Assuming there were no signs of defensive systems online, or large predatory life forms, he glanced at Elaranu, and said, "It's that cave there, whatever is down here, it's inside that."

Djanik wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 02, 2020 10:38 pm

Djanik checked the sensors, hoping for any other information.

Boosting scanners, computers raw: 3eA+2eD 3 successes


Assuming there were no signs of defensive systems online, or large predatory life forms, he glanced at Elaranu, and said, "It's that cave there, whatever is down here, it's inside that."

Labyrinthine cave complex but something deeper about a kilometer or so is blocking sensors.

She nodded a bit as she looked over the sensors, not turning to him, "You feel comfortable heading in there? We do no exactly have an expedition here."

"No, but if rumors are true, I'm not sure I want to bring too many people in on this yet, until I'm sure I can trust them."

He glanced at her.

"It seems safe enough, for now. I'd like to at least take a look - if that really is a cache of Republic weapons, it isn't something that would be... wise... to just hand out freely."

Raising an eyebrow he turned the chair toward the exit and stood, "Am I wrong?"

"You are not wrong, fly boy. But I am not coming along; I do not have the tools or such ready for this. The ship here is not even one hundred of percent. I can give you a glow rod, but not sure I have much else that would be helpful."

She crossed her arms sternly as she turned the pilot chair to face him.

"That's... a good point."

He looked torn.

"At least we know it's here."

Taking a slow breath, he asked, knowing it was selfish. "Could you keep this between us for now? I'd like to get more equipment and come back when we're ready to search... if there is anyone you really trust, who knows more about spelunking... but I just don't want word getting out if this really is a weapon depot."

She shrugged, "I am not knowing how many people you think I know here, but it is not many people. Besides, this is your thing, not mine. I am just the one with transport for youm. Why would taxi service be blabbing about customer's destination willy-willy?"

"Well, it is, potentially, a lot of money."

He chuckled.

"I appreciate this. I think you're right that I should prepare before going off into some cave in a canyon two kilometers deep..."

Leaning back in the chair, he added, "You know you are more than just a taxi. I appreciate your views on things - you've got your own insights."

"Of course I do; I am the smartest Chiss on Bankor. I think I can guarantee that one."

The voice was serious... but the smirk was teasing before she turned back to the flight stick, "I cannot guarantee no one else will find this. But if they do, it will not be my fault."

"I can't ask for more than that... and I hope, if there is anything to be gained here, that you will get to share in it."

He turned back to the controls, settling back into co-piloting with a practiced ease.

"For what it is worth, I'd love to see you free to work - to create. I'm very curious what your designs would be."

"I am too."

That said she flippwd on the atmospheric engines for lift off, taking one last long look at the cave entrance the spotlight was illuminating. And with that, they slowly took off.

"Oh?"

He toggled the landing gear as they lifted off, and then glanced sideways at her.

"Undecided on your creative future?"

"It is not that; I mean, there is the fact that one can even surprise oneself. I do not have every thought I will ever think already thought."

"Of course, that is true."

He drummed his fingers on the edge of the console.

"I meant, what type of ships you want to make - after all, there are many sorts."

Ranging from large to small, fast, to slow, utilitarian to gaudy.

"For instance, if you were planning changes to this new workhorse of yours - or possibly to design an entirely different sort of freighter - of if your dreams led you toward cruise liners, or racing sloops... or all of the above."

That got a small laugh, "If someone will allow be to design military capital ships, that seems more along the lines of what I like. But seeing as there isn't much demand for Chiss battleship designers in the Empire, I suppose I could make do designing fighter craft or patrol boats. There is something just thrilling about seeing a majestic ship, bristling with guns... even if they never use them, of course."

Djanik grinned.

"I couldn't agree more. The sight of a trio of Venator class jumping in... put a shiver up your spine, I'll say."

He gestured toward Rygor.

"Even that monster hovering over Rygor is beautiful, in its own menacing way."

"Yes yes; Terrifying and beautiful are not mutually exclusive. As much as one might wish for only one of them at a given point."

The ship finally crested over the lip of the Wound, heading back towards Rygor under the stars. The ship in question was difficult to see against them, being so far away and shadowed.

"I think power can have a beauty of its own."

He gazed at the shadow over Rygor, visible mostly in the light it blocked out, and the tiny sparkling of the ship's citadel.

"Power is not inherently evil - it takes on moral virtue based on how it is wielded. A ship such as that, interposing itself between conquering enemies, ensuring freedom and safety... that would be a glorious sight."

Ela just nodded a little and pushed the throttle, accelerating towards the city.

/scene

Djanik respected her choice of silence, and settled back in the seat, thinking about how to handle such an isolated catacomb.

/scene